Not too much to go on this one as its well sealed but it's still a nice little explore in a secluded corner of the village.
Originally built as a reservoir, circa 1913, for the nearby Rolleston on Dove Hall, owned by Sir Oswald Mosley, water was pumped by a pair of 8 h.p. gas engines, from a 63ft deep well, situated beneath the pumping station, within the grounds of the Hall, up to the reservoir and water tower, where it then gravitated back to the Hall, stables, gardens and other properties within the village, to cater for the water supply.
In 1923, Sir Oswald Mosley, sold the water tower and other buildings to Vernon Estates, who then developed the Hall grounds, into what you see today, driving past.
Over the next 10 years, the tower changed hands through a couple water companies, until Febuary 1933, when locals from Rolleston on Dove set up the 'Trustees of Rolleston Swimming Club' and began using the reservoir as an outdoor swimming pool.
In 1987, the club acquired the freehold for the water tower and reservoir from South Staffs Waterworks. According to a website last updated in 2000, the swimming club had over 450 members! I'm not sure when it closed but I'd hazard a guess and say it's been at least 10 years or more, judging by the vegetation....
Hope ya'll enjoy the limited pics. It was a quick in and out jobby. Still a tranquil place to walk around on a crisp autumn afternoon.
Originally built as a reservoir, circa 1913, for the nearby Rolleston on Dove Hall, owned by Sir Oswald Mosley, water was pumped by a pair of 8 h.p. gas engines, from a 63ft deep well, situated beneath the pumping station, within the grounds of the Hall, up to the reservoir and water tower, where it then gravitated back to the Hall, stables, gardens and other properties within the village, to cater for the water supply.
In 1923, Sir Oswald Mosley, sold the water tower and other buildings to Vernon Estates, who then developed the Hall grounds, into what you see today, driving past.
Over the next 10 years, the tower changed hands through a couple water companies, until Febuary 1933, when locals from Rolleston on Dove set up the 'Trustees of Rolleston Swimming Club' and began using the reservoir as an outdoor swimming pool.
In 1987, the club acquired the freehold for the water tower and reservoir from South Staffs Waterworks. According to a website last updated in 2000, the swimming club had over 450 members! I'm not sure when it closed but I'd hazard a guess and say it's been at least 10 years or more, judging by the vegetation....
Hope ya'll enjoy the limited pics. It was a quick in and out jobby. Still a tranquil place to walk around on a crisp autumn afternoon.
