Post by lockhopper on Apr 9, 2015 15:17:01 GMT
The Maharajahs Well..kmz (1.14 KB)
In the small village of Stoke Row, nestling in the Chilterns is the unlikely site of an Indian influenced well.
Beneath a decorated dome a gilded elephant surmounts the cast iron well head.
Local resident, Edward Reade, had worked with the Maharajah of Benares for many years in India and in 1831 had sunk a well to aid the community of Azimurgh. Remembering this good deed and Mr Reade’s reports of water shortages in his home area of Ipsden, the Maharajah endowed a well to be sunk in Stoke Row.
The well was dug by hand to a depth of 368 feet and 4 feet in width. It took a year to build and was opened on Queen Victoria’s birthday in 1864.
The well and housing cost £353 13s 7d, the machinery and gilded elephant £39 10s. Well Cottage was built at a cost of £74 14s 6d.