One of the last-remaining public air raid shelters in Barton-upon-Humber will open for tours this weekend, following an exciting renovation project.
Situated in the grounds of Options Applegate House in Holydyke, the underground World War II bunker will be opening for free public tours during Heritage Open Days 2018, England's largest festival of history and culture.
It follows a restoration project carried out by a team of local volunteers, staff and residents at Options Applegate House, an adult residential service for people with autism.
Options Applegate collaborated with Heritage Open Days, the Wilderspin National School and Lions Clubs International to complete this project.
The tours will commence from Sunday, September 9 and will give visitors a glimpse of wartime life – complete with authentic 1940s garden and artefacts.
Hidden in the gardens of Options Applegate House in Barton, the shelter has been fully restored and visitors will have the chance to experience a trip down into its subtly lit interior and imagine what life was like during an air raid.
To add to the atmosphere, wartime relics such as gas masks and whistles have been sourced for display inside, along with historical propaganda posters.
Above ground, Applegate staff, residents and volunteers have been hard at work creating a wartime garden - bringing alive the wartime Dig for Victory campaign that urged men and women across the country to grow their own food in times of rationing.
Growing and harvesting their own produce has given residents valuable opportunities to learn practical life skills, as well as providing fresh ingredients to use in cooking, helping to develop their independence.
Residents will also be involved in running stalls during the open days, selling home-grown produce such as carrots, beans and courgettes and handing out ration books to visitors.
Luke Stocks, registered manager at Options Applegate House, said: "Opening this historic air raid shelter to the public is a huge accomplishment for all involved and has enabled the people we support to make an important contribution to their local community."
Visits to the air raid shelter do not require booking and tours will take place from 10am to 3pm on Sunday, September 9 and Sunday, September 16 and 1pm to 4pm on Tuesday, September 11, Thursday, September 13 and Saturday, September 15.