In between the rain showers, last Saturday, October 28 there was a small ceremony to recommission the well-used wooden bus shelter at the end of Elmsmead which had been extensively rebuilt. The original had been constructed by volunteers from the village about 20 years ago but over time had been damaged by the weather, general wear and tear and on occasions careless grass cutters. It was also the loving home every summer to swallows and house martins.
The parish council arranged for the shelter to be renovated and volunteers undertook the painting, although work had to be suspended to allow for the swallow family to depart safely. The birds must have been grateful to have a refurbished and now weatherproof nursery.
The bus shelter opposite was built in 1953, again by village residents and to mark that occasion and that it was erected in coronation year, an appropriate plaque was fitted to signify both events. Although damaged in 1969 and subsequently repaired, this very attractive shelter has survived but not sufficiently to enable English Heritage to award it grade two listed status in line with the telephone box opposite and the other houses in that area.
As the Elmsmead shelter has been rebuilt in another coronation year, the parish council organised an appropriate plaque to be fitted to commemorate both occasions.
To this end a small ceremony was held last Saturday to reopen the shelter. The ribbon was cut by Ken Fairhall, a lifelong Iden resident and someone who can remember the other bus shelter being built in 1953. The small party braving the showers, then went into the village hall for coffee and cake.
Many thanks to everyone who helped restore the shelter and to Mary and Ian Philo for organising the celebration and refreshments.
Image Credits: Michael Miller .