When two shelters were given to Glossop, the Mayor hoped they would put the town 'on the map'. Thirty years later, the council was tearing them down.

There was great excitement when Councillor Tom Farnsworth's gifts were formally unveiled in Philip Howard Road in 1939. 

A procession, packed by councillors and dignitaries led by Glossop Old Prize Band, paraded from the market ground. 

Even when the ornate structures were open, the musicians played for several hours as large crowds inspected them. 

So why did two buildings to keep people dry cause such a fuss? 

Well, the answer seemed to be in Mayor Alderman Richard Sellers' comments at the opening ceremony. 

He spoke of hoping they would help Glossop people to lose their inferiority complex of the town and that the shelters would put Glossop on the map.

The alderman even described Philip Howard Road as Glossop's boulevard. 

Cllr Farnsworth was equally enthusiastic, saying: "I know of no other towns of Glossop's size with such a pleasing variety of parks and open spaces.

"I wonder why it has been described as so dull and drab that it needs brightening up to make it a desirable place to live in." 

Tom asked that locals love and look after the shelters and not damage them. 

Unfortunately, his hopes were dashed. After years of vandalism, the shelters had become an eyesore and in 1971 the council had decided enough was enough and they were demolished. 

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