They didn’t expect to find it
Villagers have uncovered and restored a hand-built reservoir that is more than 150-years-old. Its discovery came about during construction for a new footpath in Orwell.
Following its discovery, volunteers began excavating the cistern by hand, according to Orwell Parish Council. However, this was later deemed “too dangerous”, so a speciality team emptied the well using a “Giant Henry Hoover vacuum the size of a refuse lorry”, the council explained.
The reservoir, built in the 1860s, was specially designed to catch rainwater from a house roof for use in washing and irrigating plants. It has been estimated it would have stored 9,000 litres of water.
The three metre-deep structure, which was constructed of bricks and made at Wimpole, had been completely hidden where nobody was aware of its existence. This find, which was amid an ongoing water shortage, evidenced the innovative approach the Victorians took in building it.
Since then, volunteers have completely emptied the structure, partially restored the dome, and have created a special viewing platform. It was unveiled on Saturday (September 5) to the village.
The reservoir is located on land previously owned by the Diocese of Ely. Orwell Parish Council, working in partnership with the Diocese, has taken ownership of the land together with the adjoining Glebe Field. This will aim to preserve the five-acre site as green open space in perpetuity.
Fundraising enabled the parish council to acquire the land for the village. It also funded the council to plant trees and hedgerows, install a community picnic table and create a new footpath.
The funding has allowed the construction of a butterfly mound, and fences to be repaired and replaced. Newly installed kissing gates will allow people with buggies and mobility scooters to access the space.
Speaking about Glebe Field, Ely Diocesan Secretary George Woods, said that “this particular field in Orwell hasn’t been farmed for decades, and we decided that it would be far better if it was returned to the local community for use as a village amenity site”.
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