Pewsey Heritage
Pewsey Heritage Centre
On Saturday 24th July 2004, SWIAS
members enjoyed a pleasant and interesting day visiting Pewsey Heritage Centre in the morning and Crofton Pumping Station near Burbage in the afternoon.
Pewsey Heritage Centre is located in Whatley's old foundry building just off the High Street, the company having generously offered it for this use. firm was originally started in Wootton Rivers by George Whatley (information supplied by David Vining, Great Great Grandson of George Watley). His son Uriah moved the company to Pewsey when the railway was built.
Uriah died in 1904 and his oldest son, Alfred, who was only about 20 years old, took over, helped by his uncles, Arthur and Joshua Hosier for the next six years. Alfred continued to run the business until about 1914 when he decided to go farming and the Pewsey business was left in the charge of his younger brothers.
The firm was well known in the 19th century known as water engineers and well-borers but also covered general and agricultural engineering. The building dates from 1870 and much of the original Victorian machinery remains inside.
Members were fortunate in having the curator, Mike Asbury, give them a tour of the contents. His enthusiasm and background knowledge of the exhibits really brought alive the old local industries and their links with social history of the area up to the Second World War and beyond.
All the exhibits were carefully displayed and well labelled. The centre is certainly worth visiting. Entrance is free, but donations are welcomed!