This is a remarkable, severe but beautiful building, now almost marooned in a sea of new development. Image from Dave Moore’s Flickr photo stream.

It’s really getting busy for top local history wonks Dave Moore, Chris Pattison and their  Freinds of Sandfields Pumping Station campaign group, who seem to be really getting somewhere with this fantastic Victorian edifice; not only has their attention prompted the fixing of the roof recently, but the listing status of the building is now under review too.

If you’d like to have a great morning out this Saturday (25th October 2014), the group are taking part in the Arts and Heritage procession through Lichfield taking place that morning from 10:30am. They’ll also have a manned stall in the Guildhall until 4pm where they’ll be talking to the public and explaining why this excellent and well-fought campaign is so important.

Dave Moore wrote:

Friends of Sandfields is participating in an Arts & Heritage Procession through Lichfield City Centre on the morning of Saturday 25th October.

In addition we have booked a table in the Guildroom (Guildhall downstairs room) and wall space in the Guildhall corridor both of which will be open to the public between 10 am to 4 pm. The table will have some display boards with photos, information about Friends of Sandfields and a few other relevant documents.

We could do with some volunteers to take part in the procession which starts at 10:30 am (muster 10:00 am onwards) in Bird Street by the Kings Head and terminates at the Cathedral around 11:00 am and/or man the display table afterwards.

Please, if you can spare an hour or two on the day please get back to me with some indication of your availability.

If you need any further information please contact Chris Pattison on chrispattison10@gmail.com or 07960 460095 / 01543 414505 who is part of the organising team.

Dave has also organised one of the monthly group public meetings, which will take place next Thursday evening (30th August 2014) at the new venue, The Cruck House in Stowe Street, Lichfield.

The Friends of Sandfields is a formalised group with a documented structure and aims, and it’s good to see Chris Pattison, the South Staffordshire Water historian involved, too. 

Do pop over to Dave Moore’s blog and check out the history of Sandfields Pumping Station, an almost forgotten gem.

Dave Moore wrote:

Dear Brownhills Bob,

The next monthly meeting of the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station will take place on:

Thursday 30th October 2014 at 7:30pm

The Cruck House*
Stowe Street
Lichfield
Staffordshire
WS13 6BP

*Please note the new venue for this meeting.

Membership of the Friends of Sandfields Pumping Station is free, however a small donation for use of the room and tea or coffee is most welcome.

Please, if you have time, do attend. This is a remarkable relic indeed and needs all the support it can get to prevent it being lost for good.

The engine is wonderful. I saw it in 2001, and it really is a gem. Image from Dave Moore’s Flickr photo stream.