Many of my – now elderly – generation living in Newlyn and other local villages collected water for all purposes from shoots and wells in their youth.  These were gradually replaced by standpipes, which controlled the flow but did not lessen the burden of carrying water over sometimes considerable distances. When water was finally piped to all homes joy was unbounded and I doubt that many of us spared a thought for the now defunct water sources, which were gradually capped and fed into mains water supplies.  Over the ensuing sixty years or so, as buildings disappeared or were rebuilt and roads widened, the site of many of these water sources have gradually disappeared. 

Today however there is considerable interest in how our ancestors lived and we are fortunate that the Environment Group of the Newlyn Fish Industries Forum, appreciating the importance of water in our lives, decided to find and, where possible conserve, Newlyn’s water features. The results of their labour is documented in a new booklet Newlyn’s Water, which has to be seen as a valuable addition to the literature already available on the village.  Published as a supplement to the Newlyn Trail booklet it contains twenty-eight pages packed with factual information and anecdotes.  Liberally illustrated with photographs and drawings, it contains a map and suggested water trail. 

A small bronze jug now marks each water feature, this has been designed by Michael Johnson of the Newlyn Copperworks.  Contributors to the booklet, which has been designed and edited by Pam Lomax, are listed and the production team was chaired by Ruth Simpson. 

Available from the 26th September this booklet has to be considered excellent value at only £1.50. It can also be bought from local outlets, together with the Newlyn Trail  booklet (usually £2), for only £3.

Margaret Perry