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.
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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.
Update report for the
Parish Council Meeting on the
Tuesday 12th January 2010
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Bubbenhall Spring Water
The plate describing the water source and quality needs to be modified and this is currently under way. It is marginally too deep but not a problem. It will be fitted shortly.
New Fountain
The New Spout outlet
The water supply from the new spout outlet was frozen for a short period over the big freeze but without any evident lasting damage.
Christmas Lights on The Green
There appeared to be universal praise for the lighting of the Village Green, over the festive season. It certainly provided an enlivened focus for the centre of the village. We will endeavour to come to a similar arrangement for this coming year. We could build on it based on a very generous offer from John Green at Smith’s Concrete.
Even in the current turndown in business, they have very kindly offered to pay for the sourcing of a permanent, growing Christmas Tree for the centre of the green. We will look for an approximately 4m tree, checking with Smith’s Nurseries for advice.
We have not received, as yet, the bill from N. S .Booth for the installation and dismantling of the lights, which I expect to be around £160.
The Bus Shelter
The fitting of the oak beadings for the glazing of the ends of the shelter has been delayed by the weather. The glass is ready as soon as this work is completed. Funding has been reserved.
Remaining Funds and Ongoing Maintenance
Our expenditure and grants are just about balanced. Any future project developments will need to be the subject of new funding. So far, we have identified the oak, sign-written village storyboard, a replacement spout trough and the repair work to the piping feeding the original spout outlet.
For this coming year, Cyril Hancock has signified his wish to continue with his grass cutting and general maintenance work on the green.
Future uses for the Village Green
I intend to talk with the Events Committee so as to incorporate any activities into the overall plans for the whole village.
Tony Sproul.
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.
This
site is supported by the Bubbenhall Parish Council.
If you wish to contact us please do so to the Parish Clerk -
Mrs
Dawn Eady, 24 Coopers Walk, Bubbenhall CV8 3JB, 02476 303957
bubbenhallparishclerk@talktalk.net