The Park Shelter (The Budgie Hut)

The Park Shelter (The Budgie Hut) has been part of the park since 1928.  It was built as a shelter for those wishing to visit the War Memorial.

For many years it hosted an aviary at the rear of the building and was the home of colouful birds tended by the park keeper.  Dispite a serious fire and a threat to demolish it,  the building survives today.  It holds may secrets - have you a memory you would be happy to share on this web site?

Further reading for those who wish to explore the history of the shelter.

Sunday 5th February 1928 - The residents of Great Harwood paid tribute to the memory of Feild Marshall Earl Haig (a famous British Commander) in a service held at the Parish Church following a procession from the Town Gate. On leaving the Church members of the Legion Benevolent Committee and Ladies War Memorial Committee, accompanied the procession to the War Memorial in the Garden of Remembrance. There the band, conducted by Mr W Pye, played the hymn "Abide with Me," the Bishop officiating and giving an address at the brief service. The "Last Post" was again heard, the wreath laid, and finally the ex-Servicemen gathered before the shelter with the Ladies' Committee, whose president, Councillor Mrs. Cummings, spoke a few words concerning a bronze tablet which had recently been placed in the shelter and inscribed, "In gratitude to all who served and were restored to their homes." Prior to the dismissal at the Town Hall Councillor Bentley expressed appreciation of the manner in which the day had been observed.

Most of the above detail has been transcribed from a press cutting found in Blackburn Library dated 11th February 1928.

Many Great Harwood residents will have fond memories of the "the Budgie Hut" pressing noses against the wire mesh to observe the brightly colored inhabitants hopping from purch to purch or the odd tree branch fitted by one of the then three park keepers.  One third of the budgie side of the shelter had reinforced glass usually coated inside with whitewash paint in an attempt to cool down sleeping/breeding quarters and so making it very difficult to see inside.  As I recall the budgies last resided in the shelter during the 1970's but others may wish correct this.

On the evening of 6th March 2006 at approx 22:00hrs, a member of the friends group reported a fire in the roof of the shelter and the local fire brigade were called.  Unfortunately too much damaged resulted and representatives from the parks department of the council suggested that demolition of the building was the most likely outcome.  The Friends of Memorial Park committee convened and a special public meeting was held at Bank Mill House, Church Street to discuss the situation.  At the meeting members of the public voted to restore the shelter to its former glory but accepted changes to the design as the likelihood of bird life returning was highly unlikely or desirable.  Following the meeting, a member of the group sketched a design for the structure which was later developed by the officers of the council and formed the basis of the shelter you see today.  The work was financed through the councils insurance at a cost of approx £10,000.  In partnership with representatives from the local branch of the Royal British Legion, the committee jointly commissioned and funded a company to manufacture a replica plaque at a cost of £228 and bearing the Bold Type above.  It is now located on the side of the restored shelter.  The new plaque was unveiled jointly by the Mayor of Hyndburn Borough Council, Councillor Dr Rahman,  and representatives of the Royal British Legion at a ceremony held in the afternoon of Sunday 6th May 2007. We believe that the culprits who started the fire were apprehended by the police and prosecuted for an act of arson.

Following the restoration, vandals demolished part of the centre wall of the shelter which was formed from the original 1920's brickwork. In response to an article which appeared in the local press reporting the damage, a kind hearted local builder offered to re build the wall at no cost.  The Friends of Memorial Park and HBC are most grateful for this act of generosity and community spirit. 

Visitors to the shelter will appreciate the angulation of the building affording those seated a near perfect view of the cenotaph whilst providing protection from the elements be it rain or sun.  Even today, those contemplating may reflect on loved ones who perished or indeed were fortunate enough to be "restored to their homes" albeit with horrific injuries and lasting tormenting memories.

Copy of the original sketch for the design of the Budgie Hut after the fire.

Many thanks to John Duckworth for allowing us to reproduce his images of the shelter.