Wells in the Parish

WELLS IN THE PARISH

Wells sunk into the gravel and sand on which the village and Parish is built, provided an adequate water supply for Clifford and Milcote. By 1930, some houses were connected to the Stratford Water Supply, and before the 2nd World War, the whole village was so connected, though some wells were still in use in 1955.

Details of wells in Clifford Manor Estate

(according to the Auction Particulars of 25th June 1951)
(and according to the memory of Nigel Radbourne)

Shipston Road

• Monks Barn Farm – water from a well is pumped from the yard up to a tank in the roof
• Field past Springfield House going towards Shipston on right hand side of road -Pump where two cottages used to be
• “The Thistles” water from a well is pumped to a tank in the roof.
• “Gilead” - well at back near house.
• “Woodlands” - well at back
• “Badger's Croft” according to Nigel, the well here is 80/90' deep
• “Farnicombe” - – well probably also at the back.

The village

• Nos. 38, 39, 40, 41 – water from pump in garden
• Nos. 31, 32, 33, 34 water from pump adjoining No. 32
• Nos. 49, 50 - water is obtained from a pump at the rear of 'the Carpenter's shop' adjoining (Carpenter's house is now Prospect House – Nigel also thinks there is a well in the front garden of one of the Charity houses next door)
• Nos. 28 – outside washhouse with sink, copper and pump. now believed to be at the back of No. 31
• “Eastcote” adjoining No. 50 - well water (was No. 49 but now part of Prospect House)
• Cottage No. 45 – well water from a pump
• Nos. 46, 47 – water from pump in garden (Nigel is pretty certain this is in No. 46's garden)
• Nos. 42, 43, 44 – water from pump in garden of No. 43
• Nos. 14, 15, 16, 17 – share a well with pump in garden of No. 14 (sewerage pipe now goes through it!)
• Post Office – water from a well beneath the shop
• No. 13 – water from a pump in yard
• Nos. 20,21,22,23 well somewhere in back gardens.
• The Lodge – according to Nigel, one well by the side of the house, and two by the garages with tank under
• Nos 18 & 19 – - Maisie Wilks could remember one, but not where, when she and John lodged with Sister Hawkins
• No. 1 – according to Nigel, well in garden which might also serve No. 2.
• The Close – Definitely one somewhere
• Barn Flats – well at the back
• The Laurels well at back.
• No. 54 well at back
• No. 53 – well at back
• Present allotments – well
• Orchard House - Nigel is certain there is a well here somewhere.
• The Hollies
• Clifford Forge – (by back door) well 80'90' deep
  • What Avril found out while 'canvassing' round the Parish and also from Nigel

Welford Road

• Rectory Farm - well in yard.

The Nashes

• scullery with copper, sink and pump.

Campden Road

• Cold Comfort Farm – water from a pump and additional supply from private estate reservoir at Martins Hill
  • (These are some descriptions in these Particulars of “soft water pump” - whatever that is!!)
• Sheep Leys Covert – – well
• Willicote Pastures - there is a well by the front wall of 2 Willicote Farm Cottages,) very close to where it adjoins No. 1 Willicote Farm Cottages
• Willicote House – previous owner says there was a well by side door, which was tested in 1980's and declared contaminated! (So was the well at Burnetts Cottages, but owners placed necessary equipment to kill bacteria etc. and Severn Trent Water Authority declared it safe to drink.)

The Manor

• Engine room containing Lister 4.h.p engine driving Lee-Howell compactom pump, pumping water from the river to a reservoir on Martins Hill
• Manor Cottage according to Nigel, there is a well outside the Manor-side of the cottage underneath the present patio.
• The Rectory – well by the outside steps leading to “stable!”

Milcote

• May Bank
• Aaron Leys – well centre back
• Clifford Hill Farm – underground springs bubbling up to surface.
• There is a cottage on the Greenway near Milcote Manor called “Well Cottage”!!!!!
• Burnetts Cottages – well in field and this is pumped up also to Redhill House and Greville Mount
• Milcote Hall – two wells