Water Supply in Thornbury
Wells
Wells in Thornbury were much used and greatly valued. The wells often went dry during long hot spells and were easily polluted. For this reason it was an offence to waste the water, misuse the wells or vandalise them.
For example at the Manorial Court held 23rd January 1616/17 by the consent of John Jones the elder, Mayor of the Borough of Thornbury, and by the Burgesses and other freeholders of the same Borough it was ordered that no "common ale seller, tippler or victualler dwelling within or near the precincts of the said Borough shall at any times or times hereafter use or cause to be used any water of the common well."
The Court must have had a culprit or instance in mind because one particular well was mentioned. In this instance it was in the High Street "near unto Bell's Cross." This is likely to be near what is now the Bank on The Plain in the High Street. (NB This refers to the actual well which was on what is now the pavement outside the bank and not the pump which was in the centre of the highway). This is an interesting use of the term "Bell's Cross" which was believed to be on the Plain near St John Street but seems to be a general term for the area of The Plain.
The Court order also makes it possible to get a picture of some of the trades carried out in Thornbury at this time that needed a plentiful water supply as people were forbidden "to brew ale or beer with all or any tanner for his tan pits except licence be given him." The penalty for breaking this law was a fine of ten shillings for every offence.
It is also interesting to note that vandalism was then as now an issue and there was another entry for the same day "That no person or persons inhabiting with or near the said Borough shall at any time willingly break any of the wheel, bucket, chain or cover of the said well" or use the well and its equipment in a way in that would mean it was "in any sort hurt impaired by themselves, children or servants." The fine for each offence of that sort was two shillings and three pence.
There were other public wells in Thornbury. Those marked on the map of 1880 include one located at the Castle and three others along Gillingstool on the left hand side just outside the old Borough of Thornbury.
We know the site of some of the wells. An advertisement of 15th August 1840 requests tenders for boring a new well at the workhouse. The original well there was said to be 40 feet deep. The Workhouse had been opened at the site in Gloucester Road by 1840 but already the well was insufficient.
This page was last updated: 22/02/2010