Water Pumps appearing by the beck? Surely Yorkshire Water restrictions are not as dire as that?

No need whatsoever for panic, the taps are not about to be turned off, but heritage-style water pumps, made of cast iron, appearing again in the village could be a possibility-if villagers would like to see them.

Following on from a suggestion made by a parishioner recently, the Parish Council is currently investigating whether this idea would prove popular and viable. The Council is seeking views of villagers by inviting participation in a survey to gauge interest for the proposal. An excellent and informative article, containing links to the survey, can be found on the Parish Council website. Click here to access that article and survey.

If the idea were to go ahead, working hand pumps (not for drinking water) would be placed at strategic points along the beck and would certainly invoke nostalgia, as well as serving as a reminder of rural life in days gone by, days when the village pump was a popular meeting place in the village. Waiting in the queue with a bucket, pail, pot or pan to take water from the pump, provided a good excuse to catch up with local gossip, as well as being the only way to collect water for the basis tasks and necessities of life, chores such as cooking, cleaning, bathing and laundering, not to mention for drinking water.

And what better place could there be in the 21st century than to once again gather around the village water pump, by a pretty beck, watching the world go round, quietly thinking about the village's past, while catching up with friends and even making new ones.

Don't miss this opportunity to take part in the Council's survey. Click here and make your thoughts known.

The survey will close this Sunday evening, August 3rd.