Last week we visited Claymills Victorian Pumping Station, Burton-upon-Trent, to celebrate with them the first firing up of their fourth and last beam engine for the first time in 54 years. The pumping station was built to pump the town’s sewage uphill to the surrounding farmland until electric pumps took over in 1971. I believe that Severn Trent Water own the site and instigated the creation of a preservation group – lovely to hear that keeping the past relevant meant something to a modern giant.
Sitting there last week, listening to the clicks, whirrs, whooshes, clonks, and watching the massive metal parts glide up and down so gracefully, I wondered whether there could ever be a way of making these elegant Victorian machines and buildings useful for our time and needs.
The Victorians took such care over the design details, even on industrial sites – the downpipe brackets, the fence finials and the guard rail joints are all carefully designed, simply but decoratively, as though the designers wanted the people working there to have some beauty around them. I wonder whether they ever had the time or inclination to see and appreciate them! Possibly not – it was hard work running the boilers and engines 24 hours a day.
Our son joined their young engineers club over the last two summers and gained a huge amount from getting his hands on old machinery – dismantling, cleaning, sharpening, oiling, painting, rebuilding – lead and instructed by the older generation who enjoy passing on their knowledge. It’s brought him friends, confidence and a new view on the world too. It would be great if other similar places could do the same.
A massive well done to the voluntary Trust who have meticulously restored the engines and look after all of the auxillary machinery on site. It’s a fascinating place and full of knowledgeable, friendly and cheerful people, so if you’re in the area do pop in to see them. They’re open every weekend, but only steam up once a month, so check their website – definitely worth a visit when the engines are going.
