The site that once provided clean water for medieval Shrewsbury has received a much-needed makeover thanks to a partnership between Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council and the Probation Service.
Situated on Nobold Lane, Conduit Head was Shrewsbury’s first water supply – apart from the River – and is reputed to go back to late medieval times. Part of the site is a former water collecting tank housed within a timber framed structure which could be late 16th Century and is a Grade II listed building.
Shrewsbury Civic Society has been keen to see the site protected and cared for and lobbied the Council to take action.
Now SABC, in partnership with the Probation Service, has ensured that Conduit Head is once again revealed as a significant part of Shrewsbury’s history.
The site has 9 wells in the vicinity that provided a source of water for Shrewsbury from 1556. The present building was probably completed by 1578. Water was piped from this site known then as ‘Broadwell’ to several sites within the town. The system was acquired by the Corporation in 1878 and remained in use until 1947.
In recent years, there had been a number of acts of vandalism making holes in the roofs of the buildings, painting graffiti on the walls and the timber walkways damaged by fires. The Council has repaired the roofs to the buildings, but the rest of the site was in desperate need of a good clear up. The Probation Service was approached to assist with the work and they contributed by cutting back undergrowth, repairing walkways and handrails and painting over graffiti.
The Civic Society has seen the results and is keen for the public to visit the site and get a glimpse of Shrewsbury’s early history. Plans are in place to open the site for the Heritage Open Day on 12 September. Karen Lloyd, Secretary of the Shrewsbury Civic Society said: “People visiting Conduit Head will be amazed by this magical oasis on the edge of the town, hopefully by gaining access via the open day, they’ll be keen for this historic asset to be given the prominence it deserves. It is fantastic to see what can be achieved by people working in partnership”.
Councillor Peter Nutting, Leader of Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council commented:
“What the Probation Service has achieved at the site is a dramatic transformation. The partnership with the Borough has been a great success. I welcome the opportunity for residents to see the results of the work.”
Speaking for the Probation Service Richard Heskey added: “The determination and hard work put in by those involved was great. One of the workers who originally built the walkways 20 years ago was busy replacing and repairing parts of it all over again”.
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