The Original Appleby Water Tower

Found this on E-bay and bought it.   It shows the original water tower at Appleby station.   It was demolished when steam 'finished' in 1968 but that was regretted soon afterwards as steam gradually returned.   Appleby Round Table built a replacement in 1991, which serves to this day.

click to enlarge

What was the curious wooden structure on the top of the tank all about?

Not sure how this image has eluded my pathetic obsession with  Settle-Carlisle water towers.

It is from a postcard produced in support of the Save It campaign of the 1980s.   The reverse is just as interesting for its wording.   It will appear below when I receive the postcard.

You lucky people.

And here it is: