Memories of the Whitnash pond

Following our article last month on the flooding 
problem in Harrow Road, 
Whitnash, reader John 
Bryant recalls the pond 
which may be connected to the water coming up in 
Peter Wright’s garden.
MHLC -23-07-13-Whitnash PondMHLC -23-07-13-Whitnash Pond
MHLC -23-07-13-Whitnash Pond

Mr Bryant, of Rowington, has sent in a picture of South Farm Pond (above) which is featured in a book by the late Jean Field.

He said: “I lived in Whitnash from birth until 1964.I remember the pond well and I’m sure it has some bearing on the present problem.”

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In the book Jean Field says the pond, otherwise known as “The Pit” has long since disappeared, but the houses of Field Views on the left still remain. Only the half-timbered cottage on the right is still standing.

She wrote: “This snapshot of the area round the Plough and Harrow was probably taken in the 1920s, before the houses in Heathcote Road were built.

“In the past the pond itself was a vital part of village life. Mr Fred Meades related to me recently how youths would skate on it in hard winters when it was frozen and it was said that a certain man who lived nearby would swim in it each August Monday - parting the green slime as he did so.

“During the 1940s, Mrs Franklin, the wife of the South Farm farmer, gave lessons in elocution. Jean Addicott (now Mrs Pailing) said that sometimes, when a child, she was too scared to attend for her lesson as the geese near the pond attacked her as she walked past.

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“When the pond was drained and houses built on the site, the water had to be culverted across Golf Lane and down to the brook. It seems likely that the ancient pond had been fed from an underground spring.”

n Jill Barton, who remembered the pond (Nostalgia July 5), has written to correct our errors in the article.

She said: “May I point out that I have never lived in Harrow Road. I would imagine that the road and houses were built when the pond was filled in – not knowing the exact date I would say perhaps in the 1960s. It was certainly NOT there during my childhood – nor did I suggest to you that it was.

“Chapel Yard where I lived came off the road leading to the farm and at the old chapel (now converted) at the entrance to Chapel Yard were about four cottages (Field View). The pond was just inside on the left and, yes, as children we didn’t like to see the geese around as they had the habit of chasing you!”

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