A photo of Surfleet Reservoir, exact year unknown.
Who has memories of here ?
Click on image to enlarge
Vistor comments
7 Responses
This is not a memory as such, however, whilst researching my family history, my 3x Great Grandfather, Joseph Tidswell, has on his death certificate (date of death 5 November 1861) the place of death as ‘Surfleet Reservoir’, with cause of death ‘disease of the bladder and exposure to cold’. I can only surmise that he had internal problems, could not get out of his boat (he was a fisherman) and died of exposure.
This is indeed “The Res” the freshwater side of the gates, which hold back the sea water, and give access for the boats to “go down below” which is to sail from Surfleet to the Wash.
The freshwater side has long been a swimming and boating haven in the nice weather, although there were a few who would take the plunge all weathers, including Christmas and New Year, one such person was Alf Elderkin (from Elderkins gunsmith, Spalding), a great friend of my Grandfather Arthur Battley, who not only had a bungalow at the Res but also joined Alf on several occasions for a swim there.
I myself have swum in the Res many times over the years, even taking part in a swimming gala and lifesaving display in the late 1970’s.
I have a modern picture of the Res if you would like me to submit it, please contact me. I am a local photographer and happy to do bespoke shoots at the Res if anyone wants any.
It is now very well inhabited by human and wildlife alike.
Nigel Arthur Battley.
There was a little pool made at the Reservoir. It was on the south side of the river, a little way down from the sluice, looking towards the freshwater side. It was a part of the river and it had been railed off and somehow had a concrete floor put in it. When we were small we could go in there and stand on the floor and start our swimming. When we could take our feet off the ground and manage a few strokes we were ready to be allowed into the river proper. I don’t know when it was made, nor when it was dismantled, but many of us learned to swim in it in the 1950s and maybe the 1960s.
7 Responses
This is not a memory as such, however, whilst researching my family history, my 3x Great Grandfather, Joseph Tidswell, has on his death certificate (date of death 5 November 1861) the place of death as ‘Surfleet Reservoir’, with cause of death ‘disease of the bladder and exposure to cold’. I can only surmise that he had internal problems, could not get out of his boat (he was a fisherman) and died of exposure.
Thanks for the addition. Regards Geoff
This is indeed “The Res” the freshwater side of the gates, which hold back the sea water, and give access for the boats to “go down below” which is to sail from Surfleet to the Wash.
The freshwater side has long been a swimming and boating haven in the nice weather, although there were a few who would take the plunge all weathers, including Christmas and New Year, one such person was Alf Elderkin (from Elderkins gunsmith, Spalding), a great friend of my Grandfather Arthur Battley, who not only had a bungalow at the Res but also joined Alf on several occasions for a swim there.
I myself have swum in the Res many times over the years, even taking part in a swimming gala and lifesaving display in the late 1970’s.
I have a modern picture of the Res if you would like me to submit it, please contact me. I am a local photographer and happy to do bespoke shoots at the Res if anyone wants any.
It is now very well inhabited by human and wildlife alike.
Nigel Arthur Battley.
Thanks for all the lovely memories. Please tell us more regards Geoff
Any idea the age of the photo?
There was a little pool made at the Reservoir. It was on the south side of the river, a little way down from the sluice, looking towards the freshwater side. It was a part of the river and it had been railed off and somehow had a concrete floor put in it. When we were small we could go in there and stand on the floor and start our swimming. When we could take our feet off the ground and manage a few strokes we were ready to be allowed into the river proper. I don’t know when it was made, nor when it was dismantled, but many of us learned to swim in it in the 1950s and maybe the 1960s.
Thanks for the memory. Hopefully others will add. Regards Geoff