The Restoration Project was completed towards the end of 2009. It had taken three years and much endeavour. Our sincere thanks go to our supporters and funders, who made the transformation possible.

LINK to Latest Report

The original Village Spring or "Spout", as it became known, is an historic feature of the village. It used to be the main source of water for the majority of residents. Some houses in Bubbenhall still use a private spring water supply for their domestic needs.
People travelled distances to come and “take the water” as myth and legend and folk law deemed it the “elixir of life”!

In recent years, the flow of the Spout had diminished to a trickle and the water source became undrinkable. A project was begun to achieve its reinstatement and the restoration of a natural spring water source and outlet. At the same time, a project was drawn up to restore the whole of the Village Green area.

The Master Plan

A plan in three phases was agreed, which included the sinking of a borehole on the green to access the pure spring water focal point on the Village Green. In addition, a “lych gate” style bus shelter made from English oak, 200 year old reclaimed tiles from the village and local stone was created along with a restored Village Pit or Pond situated on the Pit Hill side of the green.

New Fountain

With everything now completed and in place Bubbenhall has a restored heart to its fabric as a village. Why not visit us and “take the water” yourselves.

Click for Link to Bundanoon

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Bubbenhall Village Green & Village Spring

Report to the Parish Council 18th January 2011

The Village Green and the Village Spring area.

Christmas Tree
I am handing over the donation of £260 to be held in Parish Council funds until we have selected a time and type of Christmas tree.
The good news is that we have secured a pledge of financial support to the value of £100 for transportation and planting of the tree. 
There will be the need to eventually determine the location for the tree, which of course will be a permanent feature of the Village Green.

Bubbenhall Meadows
I can report that John Green of Smith’s Concrete has begun initial meetings with interested bodies and specialists in pursuit of the development of Bubbenhall Meadows.
The ultimate idea will be to form a group of village volunteers who would work under the direction of the overall plan. Additionally the BBC Breathing Places scheme may well be a source of some funding.

Best Village Competition
My recommendation for the Best Village Competition for this year is that we do not enter. The reason being that we have virtually exhausted our up to now initiatives and we need to discuss and agree a series of new directions as already mooted. Another Community Meeting is indicated to get some cohesive ideas – including any ideas on the Village Plan – so as to return to competition with a refreshed image.

Tony Sproul.

 

 

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Link to Bundanoon, Australia

There was worldwide publicity for the Village of Bundanoon, in New South Wales, Australia, for their decision to become the first community in the World to vote to go “bottled water free”. They felt that their source of natural spring water should be protected and be freely available.

Water is a very precious commodity in the whole of Australia, so when a spring water company in Sydney applied for planning permission to build a spring water extraction plant in the village, there was unanimous objection from the inhabitants. They started an initiative called “Bundy on Tap” and began a project to fund raise and then install spring water fountains and dispensers across the village and to sell refillable bottles and ban all sales of bottled water.

With the similarity to our spring water project, we contacted their committee and on the 14 September 2009, Suzy Molyneux of the Bundy on Tap Committee and her husband, Tony visited us here in Bubbenhall. We met excitedly over tea and muffins, exchanged experiences and vowed to keep in touch over time. Suzy took a copy of the last Newsletter with her back to the Committee, plus a special bottle of Bubbenhall Spring water. So, we are now “bonded”!

Take a look at their inspiring story at www.bundanoon.com.au.

 

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