Cambridgeshire

Click on photograph to bring up bigger/better version.

alconbury A nicely presented re-cycled pump at Alconbury, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John. A plate hung on the chains can just be deciphered:
RESTORED AND ERECTED
BY
FRED FOSTER
AND
PHIL DIX
AUGUST 1984

AND TO THE MEMORY OF
PHILLIP DIX
ALCONBURY
PARISH COUNCILLOR
1957 - 1984
Markings: Flag and "All British Made".

Manufacturer: Lee Howl.

alconbury weston Alconbury Weston, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

Arrington, Cambs See separate page.

balsham, 2017 This one in Balsham, Cambs, has a concrete cap that has seen better days. Thanks to John Hurst for the photos.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.
balsham, 2017

Barrington, Cambs See separate page.

Bartlow, Cambs See separate page.

barton In a bit of a bad state at Barton, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

Bassingbourn, Cambs See separate page.

bluntisham This pump at Bluntisham, Cambs, apparently carries a notice saying that it never runs dry. Unfortunately we couldn't test this as the handle is strapped down! Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: None other.

Manufacturer: Unk.

bottisham Bottisham, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

boxworth Boxworth, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

brampton, 2019 Brampton, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

brington In the village of Brington, Cambs. Carries a plaque, as follows:
Conservation Award 1992

Brington Pump
(Nineteenth Century)


provided the village with drinking
water until the 1950s

Restored in 1992

Contractor
Mr. N. Shiner of Tilbrook Joinery
Markings: No others.

Manufacturer: Unk.

Broughton, Cambs See separate page.

burwell A smart wooden-cased pump with an acorn finial on Stocks Green at Burwell, Cambs. The inscription celebrates Burwell Council's centenary, 1894-1994.

Markings: None other visible.

Manufacturer: The bucket hook is a typical Bamford's design.

Cambridge, Cambs See separate page.

carlton, 2021 Carlton, Cambs, with what seems to be a welded split at the front. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: There's a very worn nameplate, but it's practically indecipherable.

Manufacturer: Possibly Appleby's.

chippenham The pump under a well-maintained shelter at Chippenham, Cambs, has an unusual cap.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.
chippenham

colne A smart replica pump at Colne, Cambs, which apparently is in working condition. Photo supplied by Dave Hunt - thanks, Dave. A plaque on the front of the pump reads:
COLNE PARISH COUNCIL

MILLENNIUM 2000

This is a replica of the village
pump which stood on this site.
The handle and the base are
from the original pump.


THIS WATER IS
NOT SAFE TO
DRINK
Markings: None other.

Manufacturer: Unk.

comberton Nicely maintained pump at Comberton, Cambs, with some floral decoration to the tank. Photos by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: None other.

Manufacturer: Unk.
comberton

Coton, Cambs See separate page.

cottenham On the green at Cottenham, Cambs, the handle is securely strapped down (see right, photo by Bob Taylor). A plaque on the brick plinth reads: cottenham, 2015
 THIS LAST REMAINING VILLAGE
PUMP WAS PRESERVED AND
RESITED BY COTTENHAM
VILLAGE SOCIETY IN 1985
Markings: There's a Bamford's shield on the barrel, but no inscription remains.

Manufacturer: Bamford's.

Croxton, Cambs See separate page.

doddington, 2022 Doddington, Cambs. Thanks to David Striker for the photo.

Markings: None discernible.

Manufacturer: Unk.

Dry Drayton, Cambs See separate page.

Duxford, Cambs See separate page.

easton This one is at Easton, Cambs. Photos by John Hurst - thanks, John. It has a fascinating notice behind it, reading: easton
 w midwood crst msta inspector
THIS PUMP IS THE PROP
ERTY OF THE HUNTS
RURAL DISTRICT COUNC
IL AND IS TO BE USED FOR
DRINKING AND DOMEST
IC PURPOSES ONLY ANY
PERSONS USING IT FOR
OTHER PURPOSES WILL BE
PROSECUTED BY ORDER [SIC]
Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

elm A plank-mounted rat's tail pump brought back to working condition at Elm, Cambs. Thanks to Richard Butwright for the photos.

Markings: "WEB" and "1891".

Manufacturer: Unk.
elm

Eltisley, Cambs See separate page.

Elton, Cambs See separate page.

ely, 2019 A lead pump in the museum at Ely, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: "1799" on the tank.

Manufacturer: Unk.

fen ditton This one at Fen Ditton, Cambs, is in excellent external condition, and displays one of the clearest Reg Number marks we've come across. Photo by Paul Snelling - thanks, Paul.

Markings: Lion and "RD NO. 46671".

Manufacturer: Joseph Evans.

Fen Drayton, Cambs See separate page.

fen stanton Fen Stanton, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: Flag and "Made in England".

Manufacturer: Lee Howl.

fordham Fordham, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

Foxton, Cambs See separate page.

Fowlmere, Cambs See separate page.

girton Duck End, Girton, Cambs. The photo on the right is dated 2024.

Markings: Shield on barrel with "Bamford's Universal".

Manufacturer: Bamford's.
Click here to
see pic I've
taken from www.geograph.
org.uk's site.

glatton Glatton, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

great eversden Great Eversden, Cambs. Photo supplied by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: None visible.

Manufacturer: Unk.

great gransden Great Gransden, Cambs. Photo supplied by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: A tudor rose on the barrel and (probably) "Made in England" on the spout.

Manufacturer: Unk, but it's identical to one at Kent's Bank, Cumbs.
great gransden

Guilden Morden, Cambs See separate page.

Hardwick, Cambs See separate page.

haslingfield, 2019 This one at Haslingfield, Cambs, has evidence of much damage and an attempt to repair. Thanks to John Hurst for the photos.

Markings: "Y103" on the spout.

Manufacturer: The style of pump and the spout marking both point to it being a Godwin's of Quenington model.
haslingfield, 2019

hauxton, 2015 Hauxton, Cambs. Thanks to Bob Taylor for the photo.

Markings: None reported.

Manufacturer: Unk.

hemingford abbots Hemingford Abbots, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

Hemingford Grey, Cambs See separate page.

Hinxton, Cambs See separate page.

histon On the green at Histon, Cambs, this pump has been very nicely renovated by the Histon & Impington Village Society, a fact recorded on a plaque.

Markings: None visible.

Manufacturer: prob Bamford's.
histon

Horningsea, Cambs See separate page.

horseheath, 2016 An interesting model at Horseheath, Cambs. Thanks to Bob Taylor for the photo.

Markings: None visible.

Manufacturer: Unk.

houghton An impressive cast iron pump with a very large strapped-down handle on "The Green" at Houghton, Cambs. Thanks to Alan Murray-Rust for the photo of the inscription on the back, which reads: houghton
 JOHN WARNER & SONS
HYDRAULIC ENGINEERS
CRESCENT
CRIPPLEGATE LONDON
Markings: None other.

Manufacturer: John Warner & Sons.

Ickleton, Cambs See separate page.

keyston Keyston, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: None visible.

Manufacturer: Unk.

kimbolton Kimbolton, Cambs. Thanks to Paul Snelling for the photos.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.
kimbolton

kingston Under a very smart tiled wooden canopy on the green at Kingston, Cambs. Photograph by John Hurst - thanks, John. Running around the inside of the wooden roof structure are the words:
 OUR WELL REVIVED - REVIVE YOURSELVES - FAREWELL! + AD2000 + DG + EN FONTEM PVTEALQVE REFECIMVS - ITE REFECTI ! + AD MM +
Some childhood memories of the pump can be found at http://www.the-eversdens.co.uk/features/MY%20LIFE-TerryOsborne.pdf.
Markings: Lion.

Manufacturer: Joseph Evans.

landbeach A tall dual spout compound action pump at Landbeach, Cambs.

Markings: None visible.

Manufacturer: Prob Bamford's.

linton The pump at Linton, Cambs, is identical to ones just up the road at Pampisford. Thanks to John Hurst for the photos. A cast iron notice on the pump head reads: linton
 LINTON RURAL DISTRICT
COUNCIL
ANY PERSON FOUND DAMAGING
THIS PUMP
WILL BE PROSECUTED

TURNER COLLIN[?]
CLERK
Markings: "G. INGOLD. ENGINEER B.STORTFORD".

Manufacturer: G. Ingold of Bishop's Stortford.

little eversden, 2023 Little Eversden, Cambs, this has a replacement cap. Thanks to Robert Mason for the photo.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

little shelford Little Shelford, Cambs, with a bold sign stating "DO NOT DRINK". Thanks to Mike Tovey for the photos.

Markings: "C. LACK COTTENHAM" and a Bamford's shield with "Bamford's Universal Deep Well Pump".

Manufacturer: Bamford's; probably supplied via Charles Lack.
little shelford

Lode, Cambs See separate page.

long meadow Long Meadow, Cambs. An article in Cambridgeshire Life, dated Oct 1988, says that it was made in 1938 - although it looks rather older than that. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: Lion.

Manufacturer: Joseph Evans.

Longstanton, Cambs See separate page.

melbourn, 2018 Melbourn, Cambs. Thanks to Bob Taylor for the photos.

Markings: "PARAGON No3 SEMI-ROTARY PUMP ALL BRITISH MADE."

Manufacturer: Paragon, by Lee Howl.
melbourn, 2018

meldreth Meldreth, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: Lion.

Manufacturer: Joseph Evans.

Orwell, Cambs See separate page.

over Nicely kept pump at Over, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: None visible.

Manufacturer: Unk.

Pampisford, Cambs See separate page.

pidley A wooden-boxed lead pump at Pidley, Cambs, with an obviously home-made wrought iron bucket hook. Photo supplied by Paul Snelling - thanks, Paul.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.
pidley

rampton A tall dual spout compound action pump on the green at Rampton, Cambs. The upper spout has a bucket hook (why?) and the lower one shows signs of a modern replacement spout.

Markings: None visible.


Manufacturer: Prob Bamford's.

ramsey, 2018 At Ramsey Rural Museum, Ramsey, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photos.

Markings: "APPLEBY & CO PATENT" on the cap.


Manufacturer: Appleby's.
ramsey, 2018 ramsey, 2018

ramsey forty foot At Ramsey Forty Foot, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: None visible in this telephoto shot.


Manufacturer: Unk.

reach Reach, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John. The markings on the barrel - see opposite - positively identify this pump as a Bamford's "Universal Deep Well Pump". The 22X means that it has a 4" bore; the pump employed a wooden operating rod (for lightness) and it was offered for sale at £7 16s.

Markings: On barrel, a shield with "7965 MARK 22.X", and another shield with "BAMFORD'S UNIVERSAL PUMP" and an inter-twined "BU".

Manufacturer: Bamford's of Uttoxeter.
reach

Shepreth, Cambs See separate page.

Somersham, Cambs See separate page.

steeple morden Steeple Morden, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: None visible.


Manufacturer: Unk.

st. ives St. Ives, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: None visible.


Manufacturer: Unk.

St. Neots, Cambs See separate page.

stilton A formal pump at Stilton, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John. The pump was apparently erected in 1826 and remained in use until 1936. A plaque nearby reads:
STILTON
PARISH COUNCIL

"MILLENNIUM"
PROJECT
Markings: None other..

Manufacturer: Unk.

stow cum quy, 2016 Stow cum Quy, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: Flag.

Manufacturer: Lee Howl.

swaffham bulbeck Just off the main road at Swaffham Bulbeck, Cambs. An article in Cambridgeshire Life, dated Oct 1988, says that it was made in 1938, stands over a well 30' deep, and was still working at the time of publication.

Markings: A panel on the barrel reads "Gunton, Sons & Dyball, Norwich".

Manufacturer: Gunton, Sons & Dyball, Norwich.

tadlow, 2020 This one, at Tadlow, Cambs, is in a sorry state. Thanks to Barbara Stanley for the photo and some history of the pump. The original, very high quality ornamental pump, made by Hayward Tyler of London, was erected by Mr. J. Miller of Potton, at a cost "not far short of £25". It bore the inscription "Erected by public subscription to commemorate the Jubilee of Queen Victoria, June 1887". What became of this original pump and when it was replaced by the existing one isn't entirely clear, but mains water came to Tadlow in the 1950s, and made it redundant.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk, but Mr. J. Miller of Potton could have been John J. Miller of Blackbird St, or John Harrison Miller of Sun St., both listed as plumbers in 1881.

Thriplow, Cambs See separate page.

toft Toft, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John. Some childhood memories of the pump can be found at http://www.the-eversdens.co.uk/features/MY%20LIFE-TerryOsborne.pdf.

Markings: Shield with "Bamford's Universal".

Manufacturer: Bamford's.

upton Upton, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John. A poignant notice reads:
 IN MEMORY OF DEREK TURNER
HUSBAND AND FATHER
WHO DIED AS A RESULT OF A FARMING ACCIDENT
AT WHITEHALL FARM, STEEPLE GIDDING 1987
AGED 42 YEARS.
DONATED BY WENDY ROBERT & ANDREW
Markings: None other.

Manufacturer: Unk.

upwood Upwood, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: Not discernible in the photo.

Manufacturer: Unk.

whaddon Whaddon, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: Flag and "MADE IN ENGLAND".

Manufacturer: Lee Howl.

Waresley, Cambs See separate page.

Water Newton, Cambs See separate page.

Waterbeach, Cambs See separate page.

West Wratting, Cambs See separate page.

whittlesey, 2014 At the museum, Whittlesey, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo.

Markings: None.

Manufacturer: Unk.

whittlesford Whittlesford, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: Bamford's Universal Shield, and a (damaged) plate carrying the name "C. Lack, Cottenham".

Manufacturer: Made by Bamford's, installed by C. Lack of Cottenham.

wicken On Pond Green, at Wicken, Cambs, this pump is well looked after. By 2020 (see right) it had gained a plaque with the words: Click here to
see pic I've
taken from www.geograph.
org.uk's site.
The last of
Wicken's
4 public pumps
In use until
mains water
came in 1949
Markings: None other visible.

Manufacturer: Unk.

willingham On a very high perch on the green at Willingham, Cambs. Old photos show that there used to be a pond here, with the pump near its edge. A sign on the brick structure states:
  W.P.C
NO DOGS
NO HORSES
Markings: None visible.

Manufacturer: Prob Bamford's.

Wisbech, Cambs See separate page.

woodhurst The village pump at Woodhurst, Cambs. Photo supplied by Dave Hunt - thanks, Dave. The pump carries the following notice:
UNFIT FOR DRINKING
PERSONS CAUSING DAMAGE TO
THIS PUMP WILL BE PROSECUTED
BY ORDER OF

WOODHURST PARISH COUNCIL
Markings: None other.

Manufacturer: Unk.

Yaxley, Cambs See separate page.

yelling On the cricket field at Yelling, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John.

Markings: A very corroded shield on the barrel.

Manufacturer: Bamford's.

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