Harrogate unearths 19th century well on Kings Road 25 Jan 2010
25 January 2010
Well, would you believe it, the town with the highest concentration of different mineral springs anywhere in the world has uncovered a 19
th century well.
Contractors working for Harrogate Borough Council on a
£438,000 pedestrian improvement scheme on Kings Road, as part of a £13m redevelopment of Harrogate International Centre, discovered the well last week.
Harrogate Council invited local historian, Malcolm Neesam, to be the first to peek into the abyss of this exciting discovery.
Mr Neesam, who is also a Freeman of the town, has been widely published writing about Harrogate's spa history.
His initial belief is that the well is very old, possibly from the early 1800s.
He said: "It could be an artesian well and would have been used to serve for household drinking water for the farm originally located here.
The land was owned by the Ingilby family who farmed here until 1810.
There is no record of a mineral well in this location, and there was no hint of sulphur, suggesting that this well was used for drinking water.
"It is an exceptionally well-made, stone-sided well about 4.5m deep and 1.5m in diameter.
I look forward to working with the council's conservation architects to discover its full history."
Cllr Richard Cooper, the council's Cabinet Member for Cultural Services, and acting chair of the Harrogate International Centre Board has asked his cabinet colleague, Cllr Don Mackenzie, to consider incorporating the well-head into a feature on the tree-lined boulevard being created as part of the improvement scheme.
Cllr Mackenzie, who has responsibility for planning and highways, has agreed.
He added:
"The improvements to Kings Road are a fundamental part of the International Centre's redevelopment
.
The aim is to give a better sense of arrival for delegates and to offer them a place outdoors to meet between conference sessions as well as improving the amenity for local people. Indeed, Kings Road was previously a tree- lined boulevard provided as part of the 'spa cure' and the fascination for promenading.
"We now have the chance to secure another piece of our fascinating spa history which will also enhance the approach to the conference centre.
The contractors will carry on working around the well until we decide the next course of action."
ENDS
PHOTO OPPORTUNITY:
2.45 pm Tuesday, 26 January 2010, meet Malcolm Neesam and Cllr Don Mackenzie at the well on Kings Road opposite Brios Italian Restaurant.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
The pedestrian scheme will see the footway widened by approximately two metres with no reduction in the width of the three-lane highway. Thirteen trees will be planted at 10m intervals; there will be new street furniture and seating arrangements. The plans also include the introduction of high-quality LED lanterns to illuminate the footway which, although slightly more expensive, will reduce energy use.
It is also intended to provide decorative tree lights to complement and extend the existing autumn and winter decorative lighting around Montpellier Hill and Crescent Gardens.
Further information is available from: Cllr Don Mackenzie is available for comment on 01423 872211 07957 304109.
Mr Malcolm Neesam is available on 01423 541761.
Media contact:
Lynne Mee, Communications and Media Manager, 01423 556022 email
lynne.mee@harrogate.gov.uk or
mobile 07525 987921 or 07884 226409