VOLUNTEERS who look after a public garden want to learn more about the history of a building they hopes to restore - and are asking for the help of the public.
The Bridport Millennium Green group is appealing to residents for information on its overgrown building near Mountfield, known as 'the Ice House'.
Sue Arnold, chairman of the Bridport Millennium Green, said: "People often refer to it as ‘the Ice House’ but we are now looking for evidence what it actually was.
"As part of our new five year plan, we hope to restore it, but before we can seek funding or indeed start any work, we need to be sure of what it is."
Ice Houses became common in the 18th and 19th centuries, first using locally produced ice, before storing ice imported from Norway and North America.
They were used to keep meat and vegetables fresh along with keeping ingredients cold when making the first ice creams. They fell into disuse when electricity was introduced and fridges were popularised.
If anyone has any information about the building, contact the Bridport Millennium Green group through www.bridportmillenniumgreen.co.uk
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