Lots to see at Tiptree...

The few BWTAS members that made the effort to visit the Tiptree water tower last month, were well rewarded. While the tower is well on it's way to becoming a dwelling, this is not going to be yet another home that has just had a previous use. This is a water tower, and the conversion to a dwelling is a celebration of this, with much being done to preserve as much as possible. Obviously the vertical ladders have had to be replaced with a staircase, but this is a steel staircase, in keeping with the industrial nature of the building. In fact, much of the conversion is dictated by current building regulations for a dwelling - for example the brick walls cannot be left exposed but have to be insulated and plastered. The large water pipes either side of the door, together with their huge valve gear by BLAKEBOROUGH, are being retained. As we ascended the tower we came upon more retained pipework - the overflow and washout pipes. The tank was unusual in that rather than having two equal compartments of 50% capacity, only the lower portion of the tank was partitioned - hence the single overflow. It must have meant that drain down was done during periods of low consumption, if supply was to be maintained. Girders showing the makers name, Frodingham Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. added to the history of this building, as we head up towards the tank. On the floor beneath the tank are portions of the riveted steel access shaft, that once past through the centre of the tank. This has the Scottish steel company, Colville's mark on it.

When we reached the tank, we learnt that in the late 1950's or early 1960's the tank began to leak and the remedial action was to weld a wire mesh to the tank, to enable gunite to be sprayed on, to form a waterproof coating. Up here in the "loft" where regulations are not so harsh, a feature has been made by removing some of the concrete to expose the mesh and the original tank wall. This was not the only time there was a loss of water - in April 2003, telemetry failure caused the tank to overflow and water pooled just yards from an electricity sub-station! Fire crew had to pump the water away.

A very interesting visit, a big thank you to Jim Underwood for allowing BWTAS to visit his tower and to Graham Brewer for taking time out to show us around.

Ferrers

Tiptree, Essex (1933)

A chance for BWTAS members to visit...

The 1933 octagonal brick tower at Tiptree, is one of the later brick water towers. Located to the North of Tiptree at TL 88643 17147, it housed a cylindrical riveted steel tank with a central access shaft. However, the tower no longer required by Anglian Water, is now being converted to a dwelling. With conversion 80% complete, there is an opportunity for BWTAS members to take a look inside this tower. The owner has kindly arranged access for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, 17^th August. Places are limited, and places must be booked, by contacting bwtas@hotmail.co.uk

Following the visit, it is proposed that we then adjourn to the Wilkin & Sons Ltd. Tea Room, just over a mile away, to catch up and chat water towers etc. There is also a museum and visitor centre there.

Note: The tower conversion is a work-in-progress and you visit entirely at your own risk. The owner or BWTAS cannot be held responsible for any accidents on this building site.

Tiptree water tower is on the B1023, Kelvedon Road, just north of Tiptree - a map may be found here. For those with Sat-Nav, the post code is: CO5 0LX. Parking may be found on the industrial area by the tower, as you head out of Tiptree, take the road just past the tower on the same side.

Ferrers

Note to members:

You should have received an e-mail notification of this visit. If you did not, it's either in your Spam, or we do not hold a current e-mail address for you. If the latter, please e-mail us at bwtas@hotmail.co.uk regardless of whether you intend to come on this visit, so we can update our list and keep you informed.

Elveden Visit

update 2/9/2011: visit now fully booked

Lord Iveagh has kindly granted permission for BWTAS to visit the Elveden Water Tower, a Grade II listed structure from 1895 and one of the most ornate and imposing examples of a Victorian estate tower in the UK.

Wednesday 12th October, 11.00am. Meet at the Estate Offices, London Rd, Elveden, Thetford IP24 3TQ.

Anyone planning to attend MUST let Wil Harvey know before on 01502 478248 or harveys@care4free.net ASAP, as the estate must have names beforehand. There will be no admission otherwise.

Booking priority is given to BWTAS members, then to the public. Space is very limited. We'll announce any changes and further information here and on twitter @bwtas. Non-members can join the society on the day.

Please note all the usual disclaimers apply: this is a industrial building not normally open to the public, it is not suitable for young children, there is no disabled access and the visit is at the visitor's own risk and subject to the directions of the Elveden estate.


For companions not interested in water towers, there is a shop and restaurant on the estate www.elveden.com

West Bar picnic

We are organising a social get-together for BWTAS members on Saturday October 9^th at Thorpeness, on the Suffolk Coast: a picnic (or, if the weather is bad, lunch in the café or pub), followed by a guided tour of West Bar water tower by kind permission of John Smith. Thorpeness is well-endowed with towers: the famous ‘House-in-the-Clouds’, a nearby windmill which once pumped water to it, and the magnificent brick-built West Bar supported on an arch over the road. All are within a few minutes walk. Meet at 12:00 the café by the lake (postcode IP16 4NW, or click here for google map) - you can’t miss it, Thorpeness is a small village. There is a car park just South of here, on the East side of the road. Following the social we shall have a tour at 2pm. Note, this is John’s home and therefore the group size will need to be limited to 10 or so.

BWTAS talk at NIAS

Everything you wanted to know about Water Towers but were afraid to ask.


Nat Bocking and Ferrers Young from BWTAS will give an illustrated talk to the NORFOLK INDUSTRIAL ARCHAEOLOGY SOCIETY on Thursday Oct 2nd (their meeting are the 1st Thurs of each month) at 7.30 pm.

Talks are held in the Stanley Cooper Room at the Charing Cross Centre, 17-19 St John Maddermarket, Norwich.

Admission is free. Visitors or prospective NIAS or BWTAS members are most welcome. The room has full access including a lift and toilets close by. Click here for a Multi-Map

Houghton Hall Water Tower Visit

BWTAS is planning to visit Houghton Hall in Norfolk, site of Britain’s finest domestic water tower dating from the late 1720’s and only taken out of use recently. It’s a beautiful Palladian structure sited at a focal point of a magnificent garden vista. According to Barry Barton “enough remains of the original system to make Houghton Hall’s water supply – and its water tower – of considerable historical significance”. This is an open event. We plan to rendezvous at the car park at 12.15 where we'll meet a curator who will walk us over to the tower and show us inside.

The house is the former home of Robert Walpole and is open to the public and has a restaurant and gift shop. The house opens to the public at 1.15 pm. There are two types of entry fee to Houghton: inclusive of the house £8, all except the house £5.

Please contact Wil Harvey at harveys@care4free.net and let him know you if plan to be there.

12.15

Sunday 6^th July 2008

Houghton Hall,

King's Lynn,

Norfolk

PE31 6UE