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Longwell
Green - in thirsty times
(source
copyright of this article unknown)
It is common belief in the original part of Longwell
Green, commonly termed "The Green", derived
its name from the existence of a number of springs
or wells in the area. The original "Long"
well is between the church and the local store on
Bath Road. It was bricked up in 1902, and its position
marked in a stone of the wall bordering the footpath.
The filled in well can be seen today.
Original
'Long' well near gent on extreme right
All those who had no well or cistern in their
own garden drew water from the "long well".
There was another well under a path leading up to
Long Well House on the opposite side of the road.
An account was given by the late Mr. H. Gully
of his fathers early morning trek, now over 100
yrs ago, up the lower slopes of Stonehill, via Watery
Lane (now Kingsfield lane) to fetch drinking water
from a spring near Mount Pleasant farm. Often he
arrived tired and hot at the spring before four
or five a.m. with his wooden yoke and two buckets.
He would find two or three others before him and
would have to wait for some time, especially in
Summer time when the spring was a mere trickle.
Alternative
well was near Sally on the Barn
When water was scarce, people would go instead
to the top of the hill near Sally on the Barn, (this
well was filled in during the 1970's), or to the
Goldwell on the hill near Willsbridge House. In
Shellards Road, where Mr. H. Gully lived, there
used to be quite a number of cisterns which tapped
rain water from the roof tops.
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