RESIDENTS and volunteers gathered on Bexhill seafront this morning (Saturday) to celebrate the official opening of a newly renovated shelter.
Known as Shelter 4, it was built in 1921 by Frederick William Parker, a prominent local undertaker who also built Shelter 3, further west down the promenade.
The team from Bexhill Heritage have dedicated 3,000 hours to the renovation of the shelter which was opened by Chair of Rother District Council Richard Thomas and Bexhill Mayor, Paul Wilson.
It became dilapidated in the later part of the 20th century, but its seasoned wood and careful construction enabled it to survive until it was listed by Heritage England in 2013.
Rother District Council erected scaffolding and carried out structural repairs starting in 2019. Bexhill Heritage was then invited to support the restoration and began work in winter 2023, after completing the Bandstand restoration and Shelter 3’s three-yearly re-paint.
Steve Johnson, who heads up Bexhill Heritage, said: “It’s been a great team effort -the neighbours have been interested and been really helpful. I’m very humbled with the huge amount of support we’ve received.
“It’s a really good partnership between our charity, Rother District Council and Bexhill Town Council. It’s been a tough 3,000 hours, particularly in Winter, when it’s raining and very cold. But, we’re been pleased to get to this point and I’m really grateful to the people who’ve come along today.
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