Priming the pump for step back in time

The spring came in useful for the community which had grown up, and as the quarry was slowly filled in, a tunnel and then a 30ft shaft was carefully built to maintain access to the precious resource.

A hand-powered pump was installed, along with a pumphouse, and for almost half a century people who lived in the village walked back and forth with buckets to draw water for their families.

Once the mains reached the hamlet, which lies on the other side of the A616 from Stocksbridge, north of Sheffield, the pumphouse was maintained by the parish council and became a local curiosity.

Families were even encouraged to visit, and on regular open days many people of all ages climbed down the 30ft steel ladder to the bottom of the shaft and walked down a dark tunnel to see the water rise.

But a few years ago, the spectre of health and safety meant that the visits had to be curtailed, because no insurer would cover the council against possible accidents and said the structure was too dangerous.

Since then, members of the community have searched for a way to make opening the pumphouse possible once more, and thanks to a grant of £12,000, work is due to begin in June on making improvements.

Barry Tylee, a member of the tiny Hunshelf Parish Council, which is responsible for the structure, said members had worked hard on the scheme and hoped to reopen to visitors in September.

He added: “There is a 30ft vertical ladder and then a tunnel to the source of the water, but European guidance apparently states the ladder does not meet safety standards because there’s nowhere to rest. According to the insurers it was the only structure in the country which they wouldn’t offer any insurance on, so I suppose that makes it the most dangerous structure in the country.

“It used to stand in the grounds of what was The Rock pub, which has now been demolished for houses, and is the last building associated with the quarry so we are keen to preserve it.

“The pumphouse doesn’t look much from the top, but in 2000 it was very dilapidated and we got a grant to refurbish that, now we hope that this money will help us sort out what happens below ground.”

People who lived in the village used the pump from 1909 to 1953, and even after mains water arrived, the landlord of the pub used to hold a key to the pumphouse door and admit some of his customers.

Coun Tylee said the pump still worked, and said that when he first moved to village 19 years ago brave drinkers would be sent to draw water from the pump, which they would add to whisky bought from the bar.

He added: “They always seemed to be all right, and although I have never drunk the water myself I guess it would still be drinkable.

“We are not aware of another structure like it anywhere in the country.

“It is quite damp down there and there aren’t any handrails, so that is why we are going to make the safety improvements.

“But it is very atmospheric and people who have been down there found it interesting.

“The thing that makes it quite unique is that it is not a well. The quarry workers actually tunnelled away from it after filling in the quarry, rather than digging towards it to get at the water.”

Restoration of the pumphouse is one of several projects which have been carried out by villagers in Green Moor, and volunteers will be carrying out some of the work themselves to allow the reopening to take place.

Other schemes which have already been completed include the purchase of the village’s red telephone box from BT for £1, which has been turned into an information booth, and a heritage walk leaflet.

Cash for the pumphouse restoration project was provided by the East Peak Innovation Partnership, which is based in Penistone, near Barnsley, and distributes grants to rural projects.

It is hoped that the safety project at Green Moor’s pumphouse will be completed in time for English Heritage’s festival of Heritage Open Days, which are planned for the beginning of September this year.