Easington CE Primary School Air Raid Shelters
Client: Durham County Council

In December 2007 we were commissioned by Durham County Council, to undertake a topographic and buildings survey, outreach programme and watching brief during the demolition of two WWII air shelters at Easington Church of England Primary School, Durham.

Despite being buried for over 60 years and topped with self-seeded sycamores, the shelters were in remarkably good condition. Each was built of brick with a reinforced concrete roof, and the whole was buried beneath earth and turf. The interiors were pretty bare but very well preserved, almost as if the last 'all clear' had just sounded.

Once the shelters had been record we organised a series of events for the present day children of Easington and their families. With help from the DLI, Time Bandits and the DCC archaeology section we conjured up a winter's day in 1940. The children dressed in period clothing heard the alarm and filed out to the shelters where they sang songs like 'ten green bottles' to keep their spirits up and their minds off the bombs. The following day there was a Victory Tea when parent and grand parents were invited to go down the shelters. It was a great day for sharing memories and recollections across generations.

Archaeo-Environment would like to thank all those who took part and made the project such a success. If you would like to read the full report please follow the link below.

< download the Easington Report
< Back to Community & Education page