Around and About: Wiltshire

Tuesday 17th May

After an afternoon of trains, we went home with Cynthia and Tom to their charming house and garden in Burbage.

Garden fountain

Cynthia at home in the kitchen

A wren happily feeding

Poppy- so bright

The house across the road started its life in Shakespeare’s time, as did many of the thatched cottages there.

Thatchers are still in high demand as these roofs need constant maintenance, but provide good insulation and such an atmoshere.

Thatched cottage

Tycklepenny Cottage

Wednesday 18th May 2011

Crofton Pumping Station

Not far away is another remarkable piece of machinery, the Crofton Beam Engine. We went with Cynthia and Tom on a day when it was not pumping, but still very impressive. The Crofton Pumping Station is three stories high, with the beams at the top.

Crofton Pumping Station

Canal boat

Opening the lock by people power

From the Kennett and Avon booklet:-
"The Pumping Station is 6 miles South East of Marlborough. It was built in 1807 to provide water to the summit of the Kennett and Avon Canal.

It houses two magnificent Cornish steam-driven beam engines, one of which (the 1812 Boulton & Watt) is the oldest working beam engine in the world, still in its original engine house, still doing its original job."

Their restoration and maintenamce is carried out by, you guessed it, by a loyal band of enthusiastic volunteers.

Two coal fires

There are two boiler coal fires, each providing steam for its own huge piston.

Cynthia marvels at the size of one of the pistons.

These drive the beams which operate the pumps.

I can see the fascination of restoring these 19^th century giants to working order. The miracles of coal, steel and steam are the origins of industrialisation which led to our current standard of living and the debt we are now paying to our planet for the priviledges we enjoy.

Boulton and Watt 1812

Remember James Watt? Same one.

The canal and railway line from the 3rd floor beam room

The water flows from the pumps into the 'leat' then to the canal summit.

Working Windmill

On the way home to Cynthia’s we visited an old windmill, also restored and in working order. (One up for windpower!!). It’s sails are unfolded on special days, and it’s grain grinding power released.