In Search of Old Paignton - Clean Water

A terrible day for good photographs so this story about Venford Reservoir, which supplies Paignton, will have to suffice. When it was opened in 1907 a female dignitary took exception to the spiked railings, considering them unduly aggressive. As a result little balls were affixed to the top of each spike.
It was a miserable wet day on Dartmoor but we had a good walk from Holne to Combestone Tor, along the pipe walk to Venford Reservoir, then to Bench Tor, finishing with tea and cakes at the Holne Community Tea Rooms.
The plaque at the reservoir says - Paignton Waterworks-these works were opened by E Layland-Barratt Esq. MP, June 26 1907. W J Ham, Esq JP, CC, Chairman of the Council, W Lambshead, Esq, Chairman of the Water Committee. Engineer Fred. W. Vanstone, Paignton. Richard Dawson, Lord of the Manor of Holne sold the land for the water works.