Simon Marks, a 37-year-old man, made an interesting discovery. Stated differently, he’s been living in the same house for a long, but he just recently came to terms with the fact that he didn’t know what was hidden in the house he’d bought a few years earlier.
One day, while trying to park his car, he came upon what he believed to be a flowerbed. The wheels on his car got stuck, and he heard strange cracking noises coming from the driveway.
“Well, this day couldn’t get any worse,” he thought to himself.
When Marks knelt down to look into the issue more thoroughly, he saw that the driver had given way because the stones in the driveway had broken. An astounding discovery was made audibly by the sound of the pavers shattering.
Once all the dirt had been removed, he discovered a piece of metal underneath. Uncertain of what might be beneath the driveway, Marks grabbed onto the metal piece and tried unsuccessfully to pull it out. Then he turned back to investigate the mysterious object further.
He didn’t know what to do next, so he called his father for help. When they worked together, they were able to clear away a significant amount of dense muck, eventually exposing an aperture. Curious to explore where the rusty, rusting ladder would lead them, the two men climbed down.
“My dad saw it and knew right away that it was an air raid shelter,” Marks remembered.”We found that there are a lot in this area after browsing on Google.”
It appeared that the shelter they discovered in Marks’ garden was built during World War II.
As per Marks, “the previous owner had to have been aware of its existence and had to have filled it in during the construction of the house and garden.”
These shelters were designed to protect civilians from bombing during the conflict. They are said to have been invented by a man named Sir John Anderson.
Bricks have been used to close off a wall. We don’t know, but I’m 99 percent positive that we won’t find any more chambers. According to Marks, they might have bricked up one of the walls to create way for the foundations when the house was built.”If that’s the case, we’ll just have to leave it,” he said.
His discovery was caught on tape, and his story quickly spread throughout the world.
Marks and his father plan to renovate the shelter because they view it as an important historical landmark. They argue that although if that period of history is behind us, it shouldn’t be disregarded because it offers us a window into earlier eras.
Strange small “room” in my ancient barn’s top
The historical relationship between barn owls and farmers constituted a vital aspect of rural livelihoods.
Farmers, recognizing the barn owls’ prowess in pest control, ingeniously crafted nest boxes within their barns, merging age-old skills with ecological wisdom.
This ancient practice reflected the farmers’ deep reverence for nature’s equilibrium, showcasing their willingness to coexist with these predators long before modern conservation efforts took root.
Utilizing locally-sourced materials like straw and wood, farmers meticulously fashioned these nests, prioritizing the safety and comfort of the owls by ensuring adequate ventilation and drainage in the box design.
Strategically positioned in tranquil corners, rafters, and lofts of the barn, these nesting compartments harmonized farm activities with the owls’ nesting needs.
The tradition of constructing barn owl nest boxes has transcended generations, evolving into a cherished family legacy.
Beyond mere pest control, it symbolized a commitment to eco-conscious farming and the enduring partnership between humans and the natural world.
Preserving this agricultural heritage underscores the enduring collaboration between humanity and the environment.
Leave a Reply