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Wednesday 11 June 2014

Rye cistern, East Sussex (1735)

© Photograph Copyright David Harrison

Not a water tower, as the tank is not elevated – water is stored in the domed, oval brick storage tank, that extends 3 feet beneath ground level providing 20,000 gallons of storage. Above this, the upper portion has a gauge board indicating the water level and presumably contained a pump to extract water from a well and/or distribute the water. Located in the grounds of St Mary's church, in what was known as Pump Street, now Church Square, at O.S. Grid Ref. TQ 92176 20322, this now grade II* listed building was erected in 1735 as part of a scheme costing £600 to improve the town’s water supply. However, the cistern's proximity to the butcher's area caused some problems - in 1754, several calves feet were found in it! BWTAS would like to thank David Harrison for sending us the photograph, taken on 1st May 2009.

Ferrers

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