BY
FRED FOSTER
AND
PHIL DIX
AUGUST 1984
AND TO THE MEMORY OF
PHILLIP DIX
ALCONBURY
PARISH COUNCILLOR
1957 - 1984
Manufacturer: Lee Howl.
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Cambridgeshire |
Click on photograph to bring up bigger/better version. |
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A neat restoration at Alconbury, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo on the left, and to Grainne Farrington for the 2006 photo on the right, showing the earlier pump, which carried two indecipherable plaques. However, there's a plaque hanging on the chains of the restored pump, reading: | |
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| RESTORED AND ERECTED BY FRED FOSTER AND PHIL DIX AUGUST 1984 AND TO THE MEMORY OF PHILLIP DIX ALCONBURY PARISH COUNCILLOR 1957 - 1984 |
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| There's a further photo, but copyrighted, which depicts an even earlier wood-boxed pump, although smaller than in the 2006 photo. | ||||
| Markings: Flag and "All British Made". Manufacturer: Lee Howl. |
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Alconbury Weston, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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| Arrington, Cambs | See separate page. |
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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. |
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| Barrington, Cambs | See separate page. |
| Bartlow, Cambs | See separate page. |
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In a bit of a bad state at Barton, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for
the photo. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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| Bassingbourn, Cambs | See separate page. |
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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. |
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Bottisham, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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Boxworth, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the
photo. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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Brampton, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the
photo. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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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 |
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| Markings: No others. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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| Broughton, Cambs | See separate page. |
| Cambridge, Cambs | See separate page. |
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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. |
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The pump under a well-maintained shelter at Chippenham, Cambs, has
an unusual cap. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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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 |
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| Markings: None other. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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Nicely maintained pump at Comberton, Cambs, with some floral
decoration to the tank. Photos by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: None other. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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| Coton, Cambs | See separate page. |
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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: |  |
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| THIS LAST REMAINING VILLAGE PUMP WAS PRESERVED AND RESITED BY COTTENHAM VILLAGE SOCIETY IN 1985 |
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| Markings: There's a Bamford's shield on the barrel, but no
inscription remains. Manufacturer: Bamford's. |
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| Croxton, Cambs | See separate page. |
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Doddington, Cambs. Thanks to David Striker for the
photo. Markings: None discernible. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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| Dry Drayton, Cambs | See separate page. |
| Duxford, Cambs | See separate page. |
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This one is at Easton, Cambs. Photos by John Hurst - thanks, John. It has a fascinating notice behind it, reading: |  |
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| 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] |
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| Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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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. |
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| Eltisley, Cambs | See separate page. |
| Elton, Cambs | See separate page. |
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A lead pump in the museum at Ely, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for
the photo. Markings: "1799" on the tank. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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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. |
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| Fen Drayton, Cambs | See separate page. |
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Fen Stanton, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: Flag and "Made in England". Manufacturer: Lee Howl. |
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Fordham, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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| Foxton, Cambs | See separate page. |
| Fowlmere, Cambs | See separate page. |
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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. |
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Glatton, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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Great Eversden, Cambs. Photo supplied by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: None visible. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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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. |
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| Guilden Morden, Cambs | See separate page. |
| Hardwick, Cambs | See separate page. |
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This one at Haslingfield, Cambs, has evidence of much damage and
an attempt to repair. Thanks to John Hurst for the 2019 photos, top left/right,
and to Grainne Farrington for an earlier photo dated 2006. 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. |
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Hauxton,
Cambs. Thanks to Bob Taylor for the photo. Markings: None reported. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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Hemingford Abbots, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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| Hemingford Grey, Cambs | See separate page. |
| Hinxton, Cambs | See separate page. |
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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. |
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| Horningsea, Cambs | See separate page. |
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An interesting model at Horseheath, Cambs. Thanks to Bob Taylor
for the photo. Markings: None visible. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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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: |  |
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| JOHN WARNER & SONS HYDRAULIC ENGINEERS CRESCENT CRIPPLEGATE LONDON |
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| Markings: None
other. Manufacturer: John Warner & Sons. |
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| Ickleton, Cambs | See separate page. |
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Keyston, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo on the left and
Grainne Farrington for the one from 2001 on the right, which is subtly
different. Markings: None visible. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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Kimbolton, Cambs. Thanks to Paul Snelling for the
photos. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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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. |
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A tall dual spout compound action pump at Landbeach,
Cambs. Markings: None visible. Manufacturer: Prob Bamford's. |
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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: |  |
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| LINTON RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL ANY PERSON FOUND DAMAGING THIS PUMP WILL BE PROSECUTED TURNER COLLIN[?] CLERK |
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| Markings: "G. INGOLD. ENGINEER
B.STORTFORD". Manufacturer: G. Ingold of Bishop's Stortford. |
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Little Eversden, Cambs, this has a replacement cap. Thanks to
Robert Mason for the photo. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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| Lode, Cambs | See separate page. |
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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. |
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| Longstanton, Cambs | See separate page. |
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Melbourn, Cambs. Thanks to Bob Taylor for the
photos. Markings: "PARAGON No3 SEMI-ROTARY PUMP ALL BRITISH MADE." Manufacturer: Paragon, by Lee Howl. |
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Meldreth, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: Lion. Manufacturer: Joseph Evans. |
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| Orwell, Cambs | See separate page. |
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Nicely kept pump at Over, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: None visible. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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| Pampisford, Cambs | See separate page. |
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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. |
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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. |
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At Ramsey Rural Museum, Ramsey, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for
the photos. Markings: "APPLEBY & CO PATENT" on the cap. Manufacturer: Appleby's. |
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At Ramsey Forty Foot, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the
photo. Markings: None visible in this telephoto shot. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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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. |
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| Shepreth, Cambs | See separate page. |
| Somersham, Cambs | See separate page. |
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Steeple Morden, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: None visible. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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St. Ives, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo. Markings: None visible. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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| St. Neots, Cambs | See separate page. |
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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 |
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| Markings: None other.. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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Stow cum Quy, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the
photo. Markings: Flag. Manufacturer: Lee Howl. |
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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. |
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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. |
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| Thriplow, Cambs | See separate page. |
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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. |
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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 |
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| Markings: None other. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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Upwood, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: Not discernible in the photo. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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Whaddon, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks,
John. Markings: Flag and "MADE IN ENGLAND". Manufacturer: Lee Howl. |
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| Waresley, Cambs | See separate page. |
| Water Newton, Cambs | See separate page. |
| Waterbeach, Cambs | See separate page. |
| West Wratting, Cambs | See separate page. |
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At the museum,
Whittlesey, Cambs. Thanks to John Hurst for the photo. Markings: None. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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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. |
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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 |
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| Markings: None
other visible. Manufacturer: Unk. |
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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: |
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W.P.C NO DOGS NO HORSES |
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| Markings: None
visible. Manufacturer: Prob Bamford's. |
| Wisbech, Cambs | See separate page. |
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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 |
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| Markings: None
other. Manufacturer: Unk. |
| Yaxley, Cambs | See separate page. |
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On the cricket field
at Yelling, Cambs. Photo by John Hurst - thanks, John. Markings: A very corroded shield on the barrel. Manufacturer: Bamford's. |
