Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Cabmen’s Shelter Fund (https://cabmensshelterfund.weebly.com/), established to run shelters for the drivers of hansom cabs &, later, hackney carriages. By law, cab drivers could not leave the cab stand while they were parked because the horse had to be under control at all times. If they drove to a pub to buy food then they would have to pay somebody to look after their cab while they were inside, otherwise it was likely to be stolen. In addition they would be tempted to drink alcohol on the job. Newspaper editor George Armstrong & The Earl of Shaftesbury took it upon themselves to set up a charity to construct & run shelters at major cab stands. The idea allegedly came to Armstrong when all the cabbies seeking a pub's refuge & warmth on a snowy night in St John's Wood rendered him unable to hire a taxi there. These shelters were small green huts, which were not allowed to be larger than a horse & cart, as they stood on the public highway. Between 1875 & 1914, 61 of these buildings were built around London. Most were staffed by an attendant who sold food and (non-alcoholic) drink to the cabbies & were provided with a kitchen in which the attendant could cook this food & also food provided by the cabbies themselves. The attendant was not generally paid, but was expected to make an income from these sales. The shelters were also provided with seats, tables, books & newspapers, most of them donated by the publishers or other benefactors. Most could accommodate ten to thirteen men. Gambling, drinking & swearing were strictly forbidden.