Pode Hole Pumping Station – WDIDB archive

2 responses

1. Hello,

   My name is Geoff Harrison. I am the great, great, grandson of Alfred Harrison who was a superintendent of the Deeping Fens in the mid 1800’s. I have never been to Europe and my wife and I will be taking one shot at it sometime in late September or early October this year. I hope to bring my 30 year old son (last Harrison in this line) who is an avid bicycle rider.

   I spent years researching my family history and two of my key Fenland relatives would be William Harrison-The Fen Poet who as you most likely know spent over 40 years as a Superintendent at various pumping houses as well as his son Alfred Harrison who helped run the Pode Hole station in Spalding and invented the steam dredger that was highlighted in one of the American Scientific magazines at that time. I have original pictures of the steam boat and dredger with my great, great grandfather Alfred Harrison standing proudly by it. I also have a fantastic picture of Pode Hole.
   I hope to spend a week in the Fens most likely somewhere near Pymore where they all lived for as far back as the 1500’s as far as I can tell. I hope to see the One Hundred Foot pumping house if it still stands, Pode Hole, Prickwillow and Stretham at a minimum along with St. Leonards Parish church where the parish records have marriages and births of Harrisons for 500 years. It also has tombstones of Harrisons unless they are now gone. We plan to rent a home for a week and rent a car to tour the area. The main focus will be about the pumping stations, family history and enjoying the fens. We would like to see a few of the surrounding areas while there and are up for any suggestions.

   Do you have archives that may shed light on William or Alfred that may not be available on the internet? Do you have other suggestions for me to investigate while there? My son loves to ride bikes and I would love to spend a day riding on local trails that take us along the many drainage channels to explore the old pumping stations, or just to enjoy the fens.

   I plan on bringing my pictures to see if they spark any interest.

   I am hoping that some local knowledge will help the timing of our trip (weather) and the availability of museums/archives/events etc. will be helpful.

   Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

   Thanks,

   Geoff Harrison

   Reply

   1. Hi thanks for email it was a delight. I have talked to Karen Daft who is CEO of Welland and Deeping Drainage Board and I will email you separately. Regards Geoff Taylor

      Reply

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