MrDGWalters

Just an update regarding the Pumping Station at Sneyd Reservoir... I visited family down in Devon last week and was speaking to somebody whom used live on the Mossley Estate and vividly remembered the canal and reservoir circa 1950's/1960's. We got chatting about the locks and the landmarks that have made this stretch of the W&E so mysterious. We quickly got onto the subject of the Pumping Station and it was a complete surprise when I was told that there was much more to the building back in the mid/late 50's through to the early 60's. I was told that the building looked more like an house and had walls coming off the main back wall we have seen in the earlier picture posted here on the forums. This would make sense as the picture posted here reveals several little notches and holes where there would have quite rightly been partitioning walls coming forward. I was also told that that there were several arch shapes that looked like they could have been fireplaces. Sadly there were no photographs to back this up but I was told that they knew the residents in the nearby houses (which are still near to the road on Vernon Way - I think there are two; white in render colour) and would have definitely had photographs of the area. Not entirely sure these residents would be living here now though. One last discussion raised the subject of Sneyd House (the old BCN offices). The person told me that they once found some letters in the derelict building which were addressed to a woman and made references to meeting up somewhere (basically love letters) - again sadly, they never kept them. It was an interesting conversation and good to hear that the Pumping Station could be remembered in a much different way than I can remember in the 1980's. David.

Tony, No, I didnt get chance unfortunately. I will check and see if these are still available to purchase. If you check out the new digitised archive at the Canal River Trust there are some photos related to Sneyd: http://collections.canalrivertrust.org.uk/results David.

Hi Tony, I am not sure if I do remember the sluice to be honest Tony, I don't think my memory serves me that well. Are there any more pics of the 'Castle' or 'Lions Den' in the pipeline? Really enjoying the posts. Thanks, David.

Fantastic! Passed this lock everyday for 5 years on my way to and from School David.

Just a little excited...

Hi all, Are there any more updates on this topic? I was really interested in seeing those pictures of the Pumping/Valve House that Ray Shill said he had copies of. David.

I remember vividly crawling down the overflow tunnel to the edge of the reservoir as a young child, don't think I'd like to attempt it now though! What has happened to all of the photos of the pumphouse, didn't somebody say they had some copies to post on here? Great pics Tony, I have some similar snaps from last year. I still think the previous 'old' photo was part of the pumphouse, I remember that little section of wall...I can see how folks that walked the route in the 60's and 70's missed the pumphouse as it was clearly hidden by trees!

Another great find Tony, is this by the pumphouse? Trying to picture it at the moment. Thanks, David. Hold on Tony, this is part of the pumphouse I think. David.

I see what you mean now, I think it would be too far over for it to be in line with the canal but I could be wrong. Is this an image that Ray sent you? I may have a walk over there again today and take some shots as I still live in Bloxwich. David.

Hi Tony, Another good photo although I can't quite remember that brickwork, I do remember there being some kind of concrete pad near the pylon. I remember the feeder, it was a dip from the top.of the embankment to the path around the reservoir and it ran from the Pump House in the direction of the upper locks. I couldn't see Sneyd House on the photo - does this refer to the old BCN buildig.? Thanks, David.

Are these scans of original photos of the pump house and other structures? If so I would very much like to see them being a Bloxwich local for the last 40 year's. Thanks, David.

Tony, that picture is absolutely amazing. It is incredible how the landscape has changed and agreed it does look like a postcard compared to 70s and 80s. I am trying to get my head around this, presumably the photo was taken from the bank of the reservoir? This must be lock number 4 and further on would have been the top lock number 5? Thank you so much for posting this, a great snapshot of Bloxwich history. David. Ps I have shown my Father the photo and he remembers it as Giles but said he thought the building was white and faced the canal side.

Now that is fantastic news, I am really looking forward to seeing that image. I would be confident to say that it would probably be the earliest photographic evidence anybody has in their private collection. Not sure I would want to go into the Sneyd Inn nowadays, it would be like stepping into the Cantina at Mos Eisley (Star Wars) Thanks, a very interesting piece of historical information. David.