Renovations to transform a building in Shipley into a state-of-the-art mental health and well-being centre have revealed a bomb shelter from World War II.
Following £3m funding from the Government’s Shipley Towns Fund, the former St. Walburga’s school building on Farfield Road, is currently undergoing extensive renovations and the work has uncovered a bomb shelter, in which an eroded biscuit tin from the 1940s was also found, as well as one of the original school boilers, with its plate still intact.
The refurbishment, designed by local architects Rance Booth Smith, will include a new atrium, communal space and gardens for the centre which will continue to be run by well-established founding member charity, The Cellar Trust. Its mission will be to provide health and well-being support by working with a range of services from the voluntary sector, public sector and social enterprise all in one place.
Director James Wood, of local contactors Whitaker and Leach said, “We were aware there was a bomb shelter on site, but the exact location and scale were not known. We are experienced in working on sites with various challenges, but this shelter has really intrigued everyone working here.
“We discovered the extent of the shelter during the excavations and we couldn’t believe what we had uncovered. To find the biscuit tin untouched since the second world war was incredible, it’s like stepping back in time.”
The Cellar Trust CEO Kim Shutler said: “It is exciting to think that in preparing this wonderful building for a long future serving the people of Shipley for years to come, it has given us a glimpse of its incredible past.
“The building, which has been a fixture in Shipley for generations, has long served as a school, but little is publicly known about its history. As restoration work progresses, we’re hoping to compile as much information as possible and we’re calling on the community for their recollections and stories.
“We’d love to collate this heritage, and we’re committed to preserving the building’s historical integrity while giving it a new lease on life.”
Bradford Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Transport and Planning Alex Ross-Shaw said: “This is an unbelievably interesting discovery. It was wonderful to hear that The Cellar Trust plans to display any uncovered artefacts proudly in the newly renovated centre when it opens in 2025.
“The new centre will transform the way mental health and well-being services are delivered in Shipley, so it’s really special to unearth the way the building also supported the people of Shipley in the past.”
Chair of the Shipley Towns Fund Adam Clerkin said: “When we approve funding for any work, we’re primarily thinking about the positive impact a project will have on the area for years to come so to get such an incredible glimpse into the past while doing so is almost unbelievable. It will be fascinating to hear more about the building’s history as the work progresses.”
Those with any memories or historical materials such as photographs that could shed further light on the history of St. Walburga’s and its role in the community are invited to please contact marketing@thecellartrust.org.
In addition to the £3m funding to be received through the Shipley Towns Fund, an additional £600k funding has been sourced through match funding, by way of building collateral from The Cellar Trust.
The £3m funding is part of the Towns Fund which is a government-funded support programme to boost the economies of towns across the UK, as part of its Levelling Up plan. The scheme has secured £25m for projects in Shipley and the new Health, Wellbeing and Community development is part of this.
