Council Meeting – 24th September 1896
Thursday, September 24th, 1896
Twenty-third meeting of the Parish Council held in the School Room, Great Longstone, on Thursday, September 24th, 1896.
Present: Mr James Orr, Chairman; Messrs Buzzard, Eyre, S. Johnson, J. Johnson, Spanton, and Shimwell.
Minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed.
Charities
Two letters were read from the Charity Commissioners respecting Henry Wright and William Wright’s Charities.
Mr Andrews and Mr Spanton having been elected as Trustees of the above Charity, Mr Spanton was elected to retire at the end of two years.
It was reported that 3s had been received for toll on swing boats at the Wakes and 2s for Hobby Horses.
Water Supply
It was decided to have the pump well opened in front of the White Lion Inn. Mr Eyre volunteered to open the same free of expense. It was decided, if the well was in good condition, to send a sample for analysis.
James Orr
Chairman
Oct. 15th, 1896
Historical Context – The Village Pump
The instruction to open and inspect the well outside the White Lion Inn illustrates the continuing importance of communal water sources in village life. Until the arrival of piped water, pumps and wells were vital gathering places and the subject of frequent maintenance by local authorities. Across Derbyshire, parish councils were gradually taking over responsibility for these public supplies from landowners or churchwardens, marking a practical step toward modern utilities.
