Droughts
In July 1890 in the Parish Magazine the Vicar asked villagers not to use water from the standpipes for anything except drinking or cooking. He warned that ‘all the Springs on Milton Hill won’t supply Steventonians if the water is used recklessly for washing etc’.
A drought affected large parts of Britain in 1929 and during the summer the water supply to Steventon was only turned on for four hours in 48. This was the year when firemen struggled to fight the fire that destroyed five cottages.
Before the mains water was installed there were wells, several standpipes around the village, including on the Little Green, outside Tudor House and in Castle Street, and a water carrier who would collect water from ponds and streams to deliver throughout the village.
Another water queue in 1928 in Catte Street (now Castle Street).
Many thanks to Jean White for providing the list of names: 'The names L-R, as given by the late Dick Midwinter (village Postman)'
Mr Tarry (wearing yokes), Mrs Russell (Turning the tap), Pansy Smith nee Carter, Granny Denton, Mrs Cuffy Huthchings, Granny Carter, Mrs Grace (holding baby Ben) Tom Prior, Daisy Midwinter (Dicks Mother), Lily Burson, Bert Woodly, Mrs Gosling, Granny Fletcher, Mrs Somerfield, Harold Prior, sitting (Fleming), Dick Midwinter (pushing pram containing Beryl Grace).
Showing the position of the Castle Street tap.
