Bedfordshire

 Click on photograph to bring up bigger/better version.

ampthill In the Market Place at Ampthill, Beds, stands this pump in the form of an obelisk made from Portland stone. It was given in 1785 by John Fitzpatrick (Lord Ossory of Ampthill Park) as part of his general improvement of the area, and was designed by architect Sir William Chambers. It carries a lamp on its shoulders, and also serves as a milestone, with the inscriptions as below. Thanks to John Hurst for the photos.
TO LONDON
XLV MILES

ERECTED BY		 TO BEDFORD
VIII

THE EARL OF		 TO WOBURN
VII MILES

UPPER OSSORY		 TO DUNSTABLE
XII MILES

A.D.MDCCLXXXV
Markings: None other.

Manufacturer: Unk.

arlesey Arlesey, Beds. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: It carries an "ENGLISH VILLAGE PUMP" roundel.

Manufacturer: Unk.		 arlesey

chawston Chawston, Beds. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

clifton It's difficult to make out the arrangement of this pump at Clifton, Beds, but there's some useful background at http://www.bedfordshire.gov.uk/CommunityAndLiving/ArchivesAndRecordOffice/CommunityArchives/Clifton/CliftonVillagePump.aspx. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: None seen.

Manufacturer: Unk.		 clifton

Clophill, Beds See separate page.

cranfield An ornate octagonal cast iron pump in Cranfield, Beds, at the junction of Court Rd and the High St. The spout and handle are missing, but essentially identical pumps exist at Hampton Court Palace (East Molesey, Surrey); Ickenham, Greater London; Esher, Surrey; Brasted, Kent; Stalbridge, Dorset; and Ipplepen, Devon. In front of the pump is another much more modest one, probably installed later. Photos by Paul Snelling - thanks, Paul. cranfield
Markings: Larger pump: "Erected by Public Subscription, 1866". Smaller pump: Flag.

Manufacturer: Larger pump: It's a "No. 15 Enriched Gothic Pump Case" made by S. Owens & Co., of London. Smaller pump: Lee Howl.

eversholt At Eversholt, Beds, this pump shows evidence of a replacement cap, as well as a worn down bucket hook. Thanks to Michael Burgess for the photo on the left and to John Hurst for the one on the right. The plaque reads: eversholt
EVERSHOLT VILLAGE PUMP

THE LAST REMAINING
PUBLIC PUMP IN EVERSHOLT
RESTORED BY VOLUNTEER
PARISHIONERS

THE SITE RESTORED BY
4TH DUNSTABLE ICKNIELD
VENTURE SCOUTS

EVERSHOLT PARISH COUNCIL 1993/4
Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

haynes Under a tiled roof, encased in wood, and with an interesting spout, this one's at Haynes Church End, Beds. Thanks to John Hurst for the photos. It was erected in 1867 and is inscribed:
 O YE WELLS BLESS YE THE LORD
Markings: None other.

Manufacturer: Unk.

heath and reach A single throw flywheel and crank pump, with counterweight, under the clock tower at Heath and Reach, Beds. Thanks to John Hurst for the photos. Inset into the wall are two dedication stones reading: heath and reach heath and reach
THE PUMP
WAS PRESENTED BY
MR. W. BRANTOM		 IN MEMORY OF
WILLIAM ABRAHAM
MAY 12, 1873
Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

Old Warden, Beds See separate page.

pegsdon, 2015 Pegsdon, Beds. Thanks to Bob Taylor for the photo.

Markings: Probable Lion.

Manufacturer: Probably Joseph Evans.

sharnbrook A semi-rotary at Sharnbrook, Beds. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: "No3" seen on the edge of the casing.

Manufacturer: Unk.

shefford A replica of the town pump at Shefford, Beds. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo. A plaque affixed to the pump reads:
THIS REPLICA OF
THE ORIGINAL
TOWN PUMP
WAS DONATED BY
THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
IN 1994
IT IS DEDICATED
TO THE MEMORY OF
PETER HARWOOD
(1932 - 1992)
Markings: None other.

Manufacturer: Unk.

shillington, 2020 In a terrible state at Shillington (Lower Shillington), Beds. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

steppingley Steppingley, Beds. Photo by Michael Burgess - thanks, Michael.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

toddington A fine example at Toddington, Beds, although the dedication shield is damaged. Photos by Val and Steve Muir - thanks, both. What's left of the shield reads:
PRESENTED BY
W.D.C.COOPER
TO THE TOWN
And it probably carried the date 1855. Mr William Dodge Cooper Cooper (d. 1860) was the Lord of the Manor at Toddington and Sheriff for Bedfordshire from 1829.
Markings: A re-visit to the pump in 2016 revealed the name "BARWELL & Co NORTHAMPTON" on the base. Thanks to Marcus Simms for the photo on the right.

Manufacturer: Barwell & Co of Northampton.		 toddington, 2016

Turvey, Beds See separate page.

upper caldecote Near the church at Upper Caldecote, Beds. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: None discernible.

Manufacturer: Unk.

upper gravenhurst, 2022 Almost lost under a pile of "stuff" at Upper Gravenhurst, Beds, but slightly less than two years earlier. One day we might find it without any "stuff" at all. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: None visible.

Manufacturer: Unk.

Back to Directory|Back to Map|Home|