Reservoir, Basford Waterworks

Image: © Anne Garratt Taken: Unknown

Basford Waterworks was located at the junction of Haydn Road and Hucknall Road at the site now occupied by the Severn Trent Water Authority. The reservoir wasn't used for the storage of drinking water but I believe for cooling of the water heated to drive the four steam beam engines on the site. These beam engines are now in the industrial museum at Wollaton Hall. My father on the right was one of the superintendents at the works, the other superintendent and his family make up the other swimmers. The reservoir was occasionally drained and cleaned. I remember once a revolver was discovered on the bottom. In the distance is the hosiery factory belonging to Meridian (later Courtalds) which still exists. My mother would have taken the photo using my dad's camera.

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