Corrugated Iron

Romney Hut at Hoyland. Spotted from the car whilst heading for Elsecar Engine. The Romney Hut, introduced at the end of 1941, was essentially an enlarged and improved version of the original Nissen Bow Hut. The semicircular shape was retained, but with a stronger frame: two inch-thick tubular steel ribs replaced the T shaped originals and the wooden purlins were discarded in favour of one and a half inch angle iron. The Romney Hut measured 96 feet by 35 feet (The Bow Hut was 27 by 16) and saw service in the North Africa desert campaigns.

This building was erected in 1887 by Miss Eleanor Lowther, a member of the Lowther family who owned the village of Pott Shrigley during the 19th Century. It is said to have been built to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee but whether it was meant to be some sort of community hall or something else I have been unable to find out so far. During World War 1, the building was let as a Coffee Tavern and Tea Room, and later, during World War 2, was used for storage of bombed out goods by a Manchester businessman. After a period of disuse it has been renovated and reopened as a coffee tavern. This business has successfully operated for a number of years and is popular with walkers and travellers exploring the area.

The first shot in anger from my new wide angle lens. Having been told about this corrugated iron church I had to go for a closer look. St Hilda's Mission Church, Syke Road, Hollingworth Fold was founded in 1931 which was surprising as the building is clearly older than that. This is because it was originally the first Catholic Church at Featherstall, Littleborough serving St Mary's RC Parish. On completion of a new brick church the old building was sold to Hollingworth through the Mother church at Milnrow, out of the Hill Charity, and was re-erected with structural modifications in 1931. It has been out of use for some time.

This one took a bit of effort to find any information at all. Out walking at the weekend, the rangers at Hollingworth Lake Country Park told me of a tin church not far away. Having found the building there was no nameboard or information of any sort and it was clear that it had been out of use for quite a while. It turns out to be St Hilda's Mission Church, Syke Road, Hollingworth Fold. The church was founded in 1931 which was surprising as the building is clearly older than that. This is because it was originally the first Catholic Church at Featherstall, Littleborough serving St Mary's RC Parish. On completion of a new brick church the old building was sold to Hollingworth through the Mother church at Milnrow, out of the Hill Charity, and was re-erected with structural modifications in 1931.

Village Hall in the small village of Claygate in Dumfries and Galloway. Typical of the corrugated iron structures used in so many villages across Britain at one time.

The Macclesfield Canal has a long history of boathouses for storing pleasure boats when not in use. Those on the main line have been removed over the years, but there are still plenty to be seen along the High Lane arm which is used by the North Cheshire Cruising Club as a base.

Nissen Huts lurking amidst the boscage at RAF Fersfield near Diss. At one time these provided accommodation for personnel working on Operation Aphrodite, where explosive packed B17s were flown by remote control to the target after the pilot had parachuted to safety. This project can only be described as "another partial success" due to inadequate technology, and was abandoned soon after one plane exploded killing LT Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr., the brother of future President John F. Kennedy.

Corrugated iron barns seem to be the vernacular in much of Herefordshire and they certainly seem to fit well into the landscape. This example is on a little back lane at Swinmore Farm, Bosbury.

One of the objectives of the recent road trip to Wales was this corrugated iron dereliction in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Needless to say it was raining a lot.

Corrugated iron pub premises on Station Street West, Stowmarket. I think this is actually an outbuilding rather than the main bar. :-)

St Antony's Catholic Church, Old Trafford is situated in the middle of Trafford Park in Manchester and came as a complete surprise to me when I spotted this building hiding behind the trees. So far I have not been able to find any history of this church.

Originally built in the late 19th century as a mission hall, this building was subject to a complete refurbishment in 2006. It is owned by the National Trust and is leased to the local community as a village hall.

This builder's yard at Corwen is rather more photogenic than the derelict corrugated iron pavilion.

There aren't many two storey corrugated iron houses to be found in the UK and this one is quite a mixture. Alongside the main road at Bronaber nr Trawsfynydd. I suspect that the road frontage is the original building and the rest, like Topsy, just growed! :-)

Seen on the goods shed at Burra Station. Morewood & Co, London & Birmingham, Best Best. The Lion Brand was registered in several Australian colonies in 1883. This company was prominent in the Australian trade in the 1880s having, in various incarnations, been involved in the manufacture of corrugated iron since the 1840s. Much more information here: mileslewis.net/australian-building/pdf/08-metals/8.03-Mor...

Spotted in West Looe was this large corrugated iron shed. I have no idea what its purpose was

Red corrugated iron is the order of the day at this boatyard just above Athlone on the Shannon navigation.

St John's Church at Maesbury is another good example of the tin tabernacle style of religious architecture that blossomed in the late 19th century.