Amble Water Supply 1873

[janwhin]

A survey of the water supplies for the Alnwick district was undertaken in 1873 and reported in the Alnwick Mercury.

Amble had five sources of drinking water:
1. Springs issuing from the south side of Gloster Hill, supplying the gas works and residences of the Hendersons. They had also supplied Victoria Street and the western end of the village but because of "abuse" they were excluded from using it;
2 & 3. Two public wells, High and Low Bank Wells, in the centre of Amble. Access is down "declivitous muddy banks" and they are fouled by storm waters;
4. The "Douglas South Pump" which until recently supplied the tenants and owner of Marks Row. The privilege was "abused" and the tenants now had to go to the High or Low Bank Wells;
5. The "Douglas East Pump" in the "Sea Lane" (Church Street??) supplying the eastern and harbour portion of Amble. Users paid 1s a year for water from this source. It also supplied surrounding farms and places short of water, by barrel cart.

There was also a minor source of water in a well near the quarry which would be used for 6 newly completed concrete houses built for Broomhill pitmen.

I wonder what kind of "abuse" caused Victoria Street and the west and Marks Row to lose their privileges