Neglected water pump in Milton turned into artwork

A neglected pump in Milton has been turned into an artwork. After many years of being hidden in the shrubbery, the last remaining pump now sits proudly restored in Cambridge Road, complete with an information board and sculpture.

The work to rescue and restore the 1930s water pump has been done by Mike Overall of Cottenham. At the rear of the site is a large photograph of that section of Cambridge Road in the 1930s, with a brief history of the pump.

This photo board was created by Milton Parish Council with the assistance of Milton resident Chris Thomas. At the front of the site is a metal sculpture by artist Vanessa Morris of a mother and child collecting water.

Parish chairman Hazel Smith said, “There are very few people alive now who remember drawing water from a pump, yet it was not really so very long ago. Those houses are still there and we hope the pump with its explanation board and the sculpture will be attractive and interesting to families for years to come.”

Paul Ellwood, lead member on the project, added: “The team involved in restoring a part of Milton’s heritage are very pleased with the outcome showing an important part of village life in the 1930s.”

[Read more: Winners of art competition for Milton bus stops named, Prickwillow phone box gets Picasso-inspired makeover]

This is another arts project undertaken by Milton Parish Council (MPC) financed completely from an arts-based fund granted to the council from a developer as part of their planning obligation. No precept funds from council tax were used for this project, or any of the other arts projects being undertaken by MPC.