February 5 Col. LUARD, Local Government Inspector, held an inquiry at the Barrett Browning Memorial Institute in consequence of the Ledbury Urban Council having applied to the Local Government Board for sanction to borrow £300 for works of sewage. The Inspector said that the sewerage was in a filthy state. In company with several Councillors he visited the open ditches in New Town, and recommended a thorough and complete system of sewerage. No opposition was given to the scheme.
April 3 At the monthly meeting of the Urban Council the Ledbury water question was discussed at length, and it was decided to analyse the water in twelve wells in different parts of the town.
May 4 The monthly meeting of the Urban Council the Sanitary Committee reported that they had obtained samples of water from the 12 Wells in the town for analysis.
June 1 Evening monthly meeting of the Urban Council, the Sanitary Committee reported that the analysis of each of the 12 wells had been received; three were reported as unfit for drinking purposes, four were of undesirable quality, and five were pure.
July 22 Ledbury Urban Council held an adjourned meeting to further deal with the sewerage question, and it was unanimously agreed that Mr. BERRINGTON, C.E., of Wolverhampton, be engaged to formulate a scheme for the re-modelling of the drainage system and disposal of the Sewage.
July 31 During this month the Ledbury Water Supply was limited to four hours daily, and subsequently was reduced to half-hour morning and evening.
September 7 At a meeting of the Urban Council it was reported that the water supply was limited to 15 minutes daily.
September 11 Special meeting of the Water Supply Committee was held, when the Council conferred with Mr. CAVE-BROWNE-CAVE, respecting the scheme known as the St. Pewtress’ Well scheme. The meeting, which was not unanimous, was adjourned.
September 19 Col, COKE, Local Government Inspector, visited Ledbury to confer with the Urban Council with reference to the Water supply in consequence of representations having been made to the Local Government Board as to the inadequacy of the water supply. Col. COKE advised the Council to have the well in Long Meadow pumped out and gauged ; at the same time they could go on with the Eastnor scheme.
September 22 The Council resolved to ask Mr. STOOKE, the engineer, to come to confer with the Council with regard to the Long Meadow Well.
September 24 Mr. STOOKE came and after a conference with the Council went to view the well, and gave instructions to the surveyor as to the pumping and cleaning out of the Well.
October 6 At the monthly meeting of the Urban Council, the Streets Committee reported that the water in the reservoir had decreased in quantity since the previous meeting. The Committee recommended that 12 incandescent lamps should be placed in different parts of the town, to take the place of 12 of the old ones which were beyond repair; afterwards the Council again considered the water question, especially with respect to the Long Meadow Well, the opinion being generally express ad that it was useless to go on with the scheme. Mr. CAVE-BROWNE-CAVE having communicated with the Council with regard to a supply being obtained from St. Pewtress’ well, near the British Camp, it was decided to ask him to furnish a written statement of the probable quantity and cost of the water.
October 21 The Urban Council held a special meeting to consider Mr. STOOKE's (the engineer's) report on the test pumping at the Long Meadow Well in accordance with the instructions of the Council. Mr. STOOKE said he could not advise the Council to go on with the scheme, and again expressed the opinion that the only solution he could see of the difficulty was to sink a well at Bromesberrow, in the new red sandstone. He was asked to prepare a tabulated statement to be submitted to the Local Government Board.
November 2 In the evening, at a meeting of the Urban Council, the water question was again considered, and Mr. M. BIDDULPH moved “That a Committee, not to exceed five in number, be appointed to consider the question and expense of storage of the surplus water from the Conygree and Brickyard schemes,with power to consult a competent authority on the subject, and to report to the Council.” Mr. BIDDULPH said he should be pleased to place his stone quarry at the disposal of the Council for a reservoir without serious expense to the Council. The motion was adopted.
November 11 A special meeting of the Urban Council to consider the report of Mr. R. E. W. BERRINGTON, C.E., F.G.S., with reference to a comprehensive scheme of sewerage and sewage disposal for the district. which it was stated would cost £8000. The meeting was adjourned, and Mr. BERRINGTON was requested to prepare a less expensive scheme and to utilize the present sewers where practicable.
December 8 The Water Supply was turned on full from this day.
January 4 the Urban Council considered Mr. BERRINGTON's report on the amended sewerage scheme for the district, and a resolution requesting Mr. BERRINGTON to formulate a scheme to deal with Newtown separately was carried.
January 11 the Urban Council held a special meeting to further consider the proposed sewerage for the town. The Newtown separate scheme, estimated to cost £1,364, was produced. Mr. BIDDULPH's motion, “That Mr. BERRINGTON's scheme be adopted pro forma, and that a sub-committee be appointed to confer with Mr. BERRINGTON on various points” was carried by one vote. The following committee was appointed: Messrs. W. A. C. GABB, C. W. STEPHENS, H. BRAY, J. DAWES, and J. FLOYD.
February 1 In the evening the Urban Council held their monthly meeting, at which it was decided to fill up the Long Meadow well.
March 19 the Urban Council conferred with Mr. BERRINGTON on the proposed reservoir, as to £1000 worth of stone which would be raised from the quarry in preparing for the reservoir, over and above what would be required for the making of the reservoir. Mr. BERRINGTON explained that he was first of all under the impression that the Council would have all the stone that came out of the quarry, but he had since been informed that such was not the case. He did not propose excavating nearly such a depth as he originally intended, which would be a saving of expense.
March 29 Mr. MARTIN wrote to the Urban Council objecting to the proposed reservoir, on the ground that it would interfere with his pool. It was decided that a Local Government Board Inquiry be applied for to enquire into the intended work, and also the objection.
April 6 Col. Lord HASTED, R.E., held an inquiry re the reservoir and Mr. MARTIN’S objection thereto.
May 3 At a meeting of the Urban Council, the report of the Local Government Board with respect to the proposed reservoir was read, from which it appeared that the Board could not recommend the scheme, as there was not sufficient proof of the quantity of water obtainable.
May 7 A hastily summoned meeting was held in private, at which it was stated that Mr. BIDDULPH had been to the Local Government Board, and that all hopes of the scheme need not be abandoned.
May 18 During the week a water famine in Ledbury was threatened, consequent upon a serious loss of water which was thought to be caused by a leakage in the mains.
May 24 A Special Meeting of the Urban Council was held when a letter was read from the Local Government Board, with order sanctioning the loan of £5,000 for Reservoir and Water Mains.
June 15 About the middle of the month the Water Supply from the Reservoir had been very irregular, and a supply from 6 till 8. morning and evening, was allowed.
June 16 The Urban Council appointed Mr, W. E. JONES Collector. Considerable opposition was given to the proposed Reservoir, on the terms offered by Mr. BIDDULPH, viz that a site be leased by the Council for a term of 99 years at a pepper corn rent of 1/- per annum. The Meeting ended with the intent of approaching Mr. BIDDULPH to sell the site outright to the Council.
July 12 In the evening, the Urban Council approved of the specifications for reservoir and extension of mains.
August 3 The Urban Council agreed to the draft deed of water rights from Lady Henry SOMERSET for £500 and the lease of the quarry for the reservoir from Mr. BIDDULPH for 99 years. The sewerage question was also fully considered.
August 16 Mr. BERRINGTON met the Urban Council, and he was instructed to get out a scheme for dealing only with the Southend, Happy Land, and New Town sewerage.
September 6 A meeting of the Urban Council was held, at which the sewerage and water leakage questions were again dealt with, but no decision in either case was arrived at.
September 21 The Urban Council decided to overthrow the reservoir scheme, and resolved to vote £100 for boring operations.
November 1 At the Urban Council meeting, it was stated that Mr. BERRINGTON had decided to bore for water near Lower Mitchell. During the week they had bored nearly 30 feet and had come to a small quantity of water.
January 3 The Urban Council adopted the sewerage scheme as formulated by Mr. BERRINGTON, which proposed that the defective sewers should be made good and the sewers extended, taking in the whole district, at a cost of £3,200.
March 7 At the monthly meeting of the Urban Council, it was decided to test the water mains and pipes, in consequence of the discovery of a serious leakage. It was reported that the boring operations in connection with the water supply at Massington were progressing favourably. Mr. Ernest H. HOPKINS was re-elected Overseer for the Urban District, and Mr. Thomas S. SMITH was appointed his colleague.
April 19 The Annual Meeting of the Urban Council was held. At this meeting it was resolved to ask Mr. BERRINGTON to at once report progress of the boring operations at Massington, and the amount of money he had spent in the work.
May 9 A special meeting of the Urban Council was held, when Mr. BERRINGTON reported that there was a plentiful supply of good water at the Massington site.
June 2 Mr. C. W. STEPHENS, C.C., Chairman of the Ledbury Urban Council, invited the members of the Council to accompany him on a visit to the Gloucester Water Works at Oxenhall.
August 18 A Local Government Board enquiry was held respecting the application of the Urban Council for sanction to borrow £3,200 for works of sewerage and sewage disposal.
August 28 The Ledbury water supply was limited to one hour, morning and evening.
September 5 The Urban Council decided to light several of the dark alleys in the town.
October 3 Mr. BERRINGTON submitted plans of the proposed Massington water scheme, and reported that there was an enormous quantity of water at the site of the boring operations. The necessary pumps, engines, pipes, etc., would not cost more than £5,500. There would be a reservoir at the Cross Hands, capable of holding 75,000 gallons. Much satisfaction was expressed that the Council had at last settled the “vexed” water question.
October 24 At a Special Meeting of the Urban Council, Messrs. JOHNSON Bros.’ (Hereford) tender of £2,528 for the general sewerage scheme was accepted.
December 13 An inquiry was held at the Barrett Browning Institute by Col. LANGTON COKE, respecting the application of the Ledbury Urban Council to borrow £5,500 for works of the proposed water scheme. There was no opposition.
December 21 At this date the water supply was “on" for the greater part of the day, a boon much appreciated by the consumers, who had for months only had a supply for an hour or so.
1897 - 1979 Ledbury Tilleys Almanacks - Herefordshire History
Photographs are credited to the owners where possible
Edited Memories in italics are from members of the Old Ledbury Facebook Group
Cuttings are from Old Ledbury Reporter Newspapers
History of Ledbury in the 19th Century
Herefordshire Archive Records Centre HARC
( TILLEY's Collection ) - No photograph to be reproduced or used for commercial gain without permission Alan HOIDA