The Darlington park that was a reservoir, and pumping station open day

The starting date could well be Wednesday, June 27, 1849, when the Darlington & Stockton Times reported that “the ceremony of cutting the first turf was accomplished in a workman-like style by Henry Pease”.

But where, asks Martyn Brown, chairman of the pumping station, was that first turf turned?

Henry Pease: where did he turn the first sod of the waterworks enterprise?

The D&S Times is vague. It says that at 3pm on the day, the shareholders met Mr Pease outside his Pierremont mansion and, “with a select circle of his friends”, they proceeded “to the place appointed for the ceremony, which is situated in a field about half a mile on the road via Mount Carmel. On arriving at the place, and the most suitable ground for the proceedings having been pointed out by Mr Mason, resident engineer, the ceremony of cutting the first turf was performed with a suitable instrument by Mr Pease.

“A volley of cheers was then given with great enthusiasm.”

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You might expect the first sod of the waterworks to be cut at the site of the pumping station, but that is nearly three miles from Mr Pease’s home.

In 1849, the water company also built a reservoir on the highest piece of land in town at Bushell Hill, which is 200ft above sea level. The water was to be pumped from the riverside station up to the brick, circular reservoir, which could hold 800,000 gallons, and then natural pressure would cause it to dribble down to the town centre when the wealthy subscribers opened their first taps.

The site of the reservoir is now a public park between the Mowden infant and junior schools, is probably a mile’s yomp from Mr Pease’s house (going near the Carmelite priory), so is this where the first turf was cut?

If you have any theories, watertight or not, we’d love to hear from you. And we’d love to hear from you if you have any information, or pictures, about Bushell Hill.

Bushell Hill Farm was bought by another Pease, Jonathan Beaumont, in 1862 and he built a mansion called Mowden on the farmhouse. His substantial estate included a pond which he filled in and built a lodgehouse on top of – now the Mowden pub is on its site. The mansion Mowden was for many years the home of the Teachers’ Pension Agency.

Bushell Hill Park, Darlington: the play area is clearly on a raised, circular grassy plain - is there anything of the reservoir underneath?

The reservoir was drained in 1971. A paddling pool may have remained, but over time all signs of it have been removed, although today the park features a play area that is clearly on a raised circle of grass, ringed by unusual fir trees. If you can tell us any more, please email chris.lloyd@nne.co.uk

The pumping station is open next Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 4pm with admission £5 for adults. If you have never seen the amazing Edwardian beam engine, it is a sight to behold.

The Tees Cottage Pumping Station is open on October 7 and 8, 2023

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