Author	Message / Information
Paul Dilks	the Fountain Shipley replied on: 12/4/2006 10:30:02 PM Looked into the fountain in 1986 . If you want, come around and we'll get the ladder out!! Regards, Paul
RMMee Moderator	the Fountain Shipley replied on: 12/4/2006 8:01:57 PM I don't suppose you took any photos?
Paul Dilks	the Fountain Shipley replied on: 12/4/2006 4:18:41 PM I live across the road from the fountain and my house is called "Fountain View" The fountain was an industrial one and was used as a very inefficient way of cooling excess hot water..An engine house in the adjacent woods/spinney powerered much of the plant and machinery and I think ther winding gear at the colliery..Much coal was used as it was free! If too much hot or boiling water was produced, it is my understanding that the boiling water was shot up into the air to cool it..What a terrible waste. I've looked into the fountain(ladderjob) and it contains a sort of witches cauldron jobby..Regards, Paul
philfred	the Fountain Shipley replied on: 1/31/2006 12:23:06 AM Could it have the reservoir for supplying the cooling water used by an "atmospheric" steam engine? They were used up to the middle of the 18th century and some times beyond. Steam at low pressure forces the piston up then water was applied to the outside of the cylinder to condense the steam in the cylinder. This creates a partial vacuum and atmospheric pressure forces the piston down. This has been studied through the magic of television with "Professor" Fred Dibnah. The fountain could have been created by the the cooling water being returned to the reservoir. regards Phil
RMMee Moderator	the Fountain Shipley replied on: 1/20/2006 1:14:35 PM I had a chat with a lifelong resident of Shipley the other day, and she informs me that the Fountain was precisely that - a fountain. She was not aware of any other purpose for it.
RMMee Moderator	the Fountain Shipley replied on: 1/7/2006 12:29:43 AM I sent a copy of an old map to PeterH, showing The Field. Here are his comments: "The 'Fountain' is indeed on the map. The first large building on the right is the village Institute and ambulance station. Directly opposite this is a circular structure, helpfully labelled 'Fn', which presumably explains its name. Judging by the number of shafts and pumping stations around, I think it's a fair bet that it was part of a system for draining the shafts. One could speculate that it acted as an initial reservoir which then fed Hogg's Pond and thence to the main Shipley Reservoir. I think I remember a flume which passed under the road between the colliery railway and the reservoir and discharged huge quantities of water at high speed into the latter."
PeterH	the Fountain Shipley replied on: 1/2/2006 11:04:55 PM I went back for another look today and 'The Fountain' is still there although there was no sign of any water, weeds, etc. on the outside so, presumably, it has ceased to perform the function for which it was built (whatever that was - does anyone know?).
suzard Researcher	the Fountain Shipley replied on: 1/2/2006 10:18:19 AM You are corrext-sorry about that-must read posts more carefully!!
PeterH	the Fountain Shipley replied on: 1/1/2006 11:39:57 PM Suzard, I think what you have in mind is the water tower at Shipley Hall whereas db639 is referring to the low, circular, brick structure on The Field. I was born just across the road from it and never knew what it was (and still don’t). I was intending to ask what it was in this forum. I went past the site the other day but didn’t notice if it was still there; I’ll go and have another look as soon as I can unless someone beats me to it. Perhaps it was something to do with water extraction from the mine workings and/or feeding the nearby reservoir/lake.
suzard Researcher	the Fountain Shipley replied on: 1/1/2006 9:34:47 PM I think what you knew as "the fountain" is the water tower. It was renovated about 1970's and turned into a dwelling-with a roof garden on the top. A cafe was opened in the groundfloor room-but closed when all the new European regs came in -shame cos it was all home baked cakes,etc.The people who renovated the farm nearby(the one with the turrets) owned it, but then sold it separately. A while ago, when it was up for sale again, it featured in one of these "looking to buy a property" programmes-it's a really nice place.I have a painting of it pre renovation-with all the ivy, greenery covering it, which is probably as you remember it.
db639	the Fountain Shipley replied on: 1/1/2006 8:40:36 PM it is many years since I went to Shipley,but the topic about the Field made me recall what we used to call the fountain.I remember a large brick built round tower like structure with water dripping down the sides and ferns,weeds and other growths hanging down off it .I think it was in a small copse surrounded by iron railings .Was it some sort of water supply tank ?I wonder why we called it the fountain ? Db

ChatArea.com Help & News Forums | Terms of Use | Contact ChatArea.com | Advertising

Powered By ChatArea.com - Get your free Society today! © Copyright 2003 Wewp!