Norton Water Tower

[Grappler 12]

Went up as a school boy, the view from the top was great.

[derrek 10]

As a student I worked at the Norton Water Tower in the 1968 summer holidays on ground maintenance. Mainly cutting grass and hedges, but I did have to dust and sweep the staircase that went up to the viewing gallery. This was in preparation for the August bank holiday open days. There was also a lift.

In the basement were powerful pumps which took water up to the tank at the top.

I was told the water began its journey at the Redmires reservoirs and was fed through the system via the pumping station on Warminster Rd. to the water tower. I believe it was constructed in its high situation in order to provide the head of water needed for the 'new' housing estates at Gleadless Valley, Basegreen and Low Edges etc.

I remember seeing a 'special' telephone in the basement. This was when the 'Cold War' between East & West was on and the phone was allegedly a hot line to Fylingdales early warning station. In the event of a nuclear attack, the valves were to be turned off and the water in the tanks isolated.

 

---------- Post added 02-02-2013 at 16:51 ----------

 

Also I was shown some print-outs of the water flow. One day the graph almost went off the scale. This was of a day in 1966 at about 3.45pm. It was half-time in the Owls v. Everton cup final at Wembley which was being televised. Lots of kettles being filled and toilets flushed I guess !

[Plain Talker 11]

yes, Derek, you are right that the tower was built to provide enough of a head of water to supply the Valley.

 

There's also a pumping station at the bottom end of East Bank Road, near the former S.R. Gents Factory, that serves the Arbourthorne Estate.

[bogweed 10]

Does anyone know if the Norton water tower is in use .Does it still contain water.

[speleo1 10]

Check out the

28dayslater site

 

I have you a link looks like they have deleted it ?