Waterhall pumping station, Patcham
Brighton Waterworks, c. 1910: The engine house at the Mile Oak water works was built in 1900 by Reeves and Kelly and used two Fleming and Ferguson 130 horse-power steam engines. The pumping station was demolished in 1961 and replaced by a new building with an electric water pump.
For John Snelling, who asked this question:
I recall pumping station on the downs near the Brighton Bypass at Patcham where there was a old pumping house with a large flywheel on could see behind the windows. Can anyone date the demolition of this building and possibly the installation date (if known)?.
c) CORPORATION ACQUISITION and DEVELOPMENT: In July 1872, under the terms of the Brighton Corporation Waterworks Act, the corporation purchased the Constant Service Water Company, then supplying some 18,000 homes with 2.6 million gallons per day, for £321,000. The new undertaking covered Brighton, Falmer, Hangleton, Ovingdean, Patcham, Preston, and Rottingdean, and supplied both constant and intermittent services at different charges.
We hope this unformation is useful to you John
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Many thanks for the photo and description of the Water pumping house. Much appreciated.
My Grandfather was a caretaker here after the war, he died in 1947. Lived at 14 London Road Patcham.
I just remember meeting him from work going up through the bridge I was only about 5 when he died. We were freer kids back then. He used to read me Rupert Bear Stories. I lived at Mayfield Crescent then.
Hi Christine,
My dad said that my Great Grandfather managed Waterhall Patcham water works probably around 1905/6. Apparently my grand father was prevented from working there because his dad would not have his son working under him so made him walk to the Falmer works, it was too much for him so he left and joined the army. Would love to have a copy of the picture you have.
Could someone clarify, please. Is the one in this picture Patcham or Mile Oak?
Also, are there two in the Lewes Rd/Falmer area?
Does anyone know if a map exists of all the waterworks/pumping stations around Brighton, showing where they’re situated, please. I’m finding the various sources online rather confusing.
Thanks to anyone who can unravel this for me!
That is not Patcham. The image caption implies Mile Oak. In researching the plotland of Sweet Hill for my PhD I saw many images of Patcham Pumping Station and the threat to the water supply to that pump is what I was researching.
The second query; one pumping station at Falmer and one in Lewes Road at the bottom of Hollingdean Rd. For a map try contacting Southern Water at Falmer.
Hello and thank you – I appreciate your reply.
I realised the caption said Mile Oak but the title above the image said Patcham, hence my confusion. To elaborate, as a child many moons ago we would drive up Mill Road towards Hove. On the left of Mill Rd was (and still is) the windmill. On the right we would pass the waterworks which was a beautiful building (similar in style to that in the image) and I assume the one referred to as Patcham.
I’m very keen to find a photo but have had no luck so far. Do you know where I might find one?
All I could find when I went up to Waterworks Rd was a single-storey pumping station which may or may not be a replacement for the original. I was away from the area for a long time so wasn’t here when any changes took place.
Thanks for the Falmer/Lewes Rd info. I actually lived at Hollingdean as a teen and don’t recall that one. Perhaps Google Earth timeline will help – or as you suggest, Southern Water.
Best wishes, Chris.
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