Timeline

Next few weeks

We are currently waiting to hear back from Highways, the Divisional Surveyor has agreed to go and do a basic assessment of the situation and report back with Highway's position. The local Highways division are supportive of our ambitions and have agreed to help in whatever way they are able.

Over the next few weeks, we plan to do an emergency repair of the concrete reservoir.

A website is being developed and due to be completed in May.

Stage 1:

emergency repair work to the water reservoir (plug hole with concrete, stone) to prevent possible contamination of well. Very simple process, would change nothing – only restore a corner of the reservoir damaged by a tractor’s flailing 6 months ago. We’re planning to do this over the next couple weeks.

Late Spring

Launch Wells and Spring media campaign, promote work-days (ready for summer) write-up folk histories, ask residents for stories/ memories. Compile testimony and histories on the W&S website along with an interactive map that helps people locate the wells.

Stage 2:

With Highways, Parish Council support survey the pipe at the Borden Well, Gunn’s Mill.

- excavate pipe and have Highways/ FE mark location for their records.

- ensure pipe integrity, repairing any cracks/ damage.

- if beneficial, and as an alternative to replacing pipe (should it be damaged) we may investigate the benefits of encasing pipe in a flexible concrete (lignin, cellulose (plant based)).

Design stone works at point of water collection to aid easy access to the spout.

Plan works to clear-out and repair/ repoint the reservoir.

Organise work-days ready for the summer months.

Summer

Carry out works, as part of volunteer days – combining local specialist knowledge (stone masons, Highways, retired Water Board/ Severn Trent people, local historians and artists) with volunteers.

Ensure reservoir is protected from future flailing of the bank. Possibly use wooden/ stone sculpture.

Future

Select the next wells/ spring to work on. Possibly set-up local working groups.

Engage schools to design a completely new spring. There’s a potential for one in Mitcheldean, which hasn’t been adapted (or any evidence of use as water source has been removed), which has enough head of water in a prime location (very central to the community, along a popular walk). I think this would provide great exposure and be a high-impact project, helping to direct attention towards Wells and Spring in general and through the schools encouraging young people to value our sources of water as important assets.

We expect work to be relatively slow until summer at which point with the help of a media campaign and website launch, I am hoping the Wells and Spring project will come alive and spawn several local groups interested in restoring their local water sources.

Read more about why Springs and Wells is an important project funded by Forester Forest and how you can get involved by clicking the link below.