Water wells and pumps

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Map 1886 showing wells and pumps in centre of village

'Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland'

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Photo John Quincey and visitors at Woodgate pump

Quincey family archive

Site of artesian well early 1900s

How did villagers get water to drink prior to mains connection?

Water wells and pumps in the late 1800s.

Helpston’s water supply had always come from underground sources and the maps show the distribution of wells (W) and pumps (P) in 1886.

The Helpston Parish Council Minutes for January 1895 recorded:
‘A committee consisting of Messrs Howes, Woodward and Garfoot was appointed to go round the village to ascertain what water supply there is to the several houses and if possible the quality of the water’.

The wells and pumps were inspected by named parish councillors every year at least until the end of the 1930s. Every year pumps needed repainting and parts needed replacing.

West Street

They also recommended additional wells, for example West Street in 1896:
‘A proposal was carried unanimously that a well be sited on the lands on the highway on the south side of West Street about 40 or 50 yards above the FM Chapel’.

Woodgate

The borehole in Woodgate in 1896 must have been greeted as a miracle. Mr Noble of Thurlby’s quote of £45 11s 3d for boring a well was accepted. It was an artesian well, meaning that the water gushed out without having to be pumped. It was so successful that there was a proposal to pump water round the ‘Cross’ and into Station (Glinton) Road but this never happened.

There were however ongoing problems. In 1901 the borehole had to be deepened and in 1909 after the Peterborough Corporation’s new water works at Etton, a pump had to be installed because this caused a fall in the water table. In 1929 and again in 1936, the base had to be protected against frost. There were concerns about its condition in 1935 and Mr Noble was invited to inspect and report on it. In 1932 letters had to be sent to Messrs Goodfellow, Broome, Robinson, Bankes and Scott ¹ informing them not to wash cars near the bore at Woodgate End.

Additional supplies

There was a parish meeting in 1901 to consider whether a further supply of water was needed. The result of the vote was: For 21, Against 10, Neutral 5. Additional or replacement wells were dug and pumps erected in all the village roads over the next few years. There were also water tanks to enable farmers to fill their water carts.

Mains water supply

In 1935, Peterborough Rural District Council suggested a scheme to lay water pipes in Helpston and this was discussed by the Helpston Parish Councillors.
‘Mr Goodfellow seconded by Mr Clark proposed that the council take no action’.

By 1954, most of the village had a supply of piped water and it was agreed that Peterborough Rural District Council be asked to remove the remaining old Woodgate pump, stand, rails and tank.

Sources
1  Mr Scott resided at Tinderbox Cottage, Broad Wheel Road, evidenced by deeds held by owners
This article has been adapted from a paper produced by Frieda Gosling,  a founder member of Helpston Local History Group, sources including Parish Council minutes.