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Claymills Victorian Pumping Station, Burton-Upon-Trent added to Historic Buildings in West Midlands by D0c.Col on 05/09/2024

Claymills Pumping Station is a fascinating example of Victorian industrial engineering located in Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire. It was built to pump sewage from the town to the sewage farms in the countryside, serving an important role in the sanitation and public health of the area.
Claymills Pumping Station was constructed between 1885 and 1889 by the Burton-upon-Trent Corporation as part of a broader effort to improve sanitation. The town was experiencing rapid growth due to its brewing industry, which necessitated a modern sewage system to cope with increasing waste.
The station was designed by the civil engineer James Mansergh, who was known for his work on water and sewage projects. The station is a striking example of Victorian engineering, with impressive brickwork, tall chimneys, and large engine houses.
It was fully operational from 1889 until it was decommissioned in 1971. During this time, it played a crucial role in managing sewage and wastewater, preventing the contamination of the River Trent and maintaining public health.
After its closure, the station fell into disrepair, but thanks to the efforts of volunteers and the Claymills Pumping Engines Trust, it has been restored and is now a museum and working heritage site that is designated as Grade II* listed.
The pumping station is powered by four massive beam engines, built by Gimson and Company of Leicester. These engines are named “Victoria,” “Prince Consort,” “Queen Mary,” and “Marquis Wellington.” And they are each capable of pumping around 3 million gallons of sewage per day.
The 120 horsepower compound beam engines are so called as they use steam twice for greater efficiency. The steam first enters the high-pressure cylinder and then the low-pressure cylinder before being exhausted.
The engines have a stroke of 10 feet and a bore of 32 inches for the high-pressure cylinders and 54 inches for the low-pressure cylinders.
They were originally powered by five Lancashire boilers, which generated the steam needed to drive the beam engines. These boilers were fired with coal, which was delivered to the site by rail.
The beam engines in turn drove large reciprocating pumps, which moved the sewage through large cast-iron pipes. The pumps had double-acting pistons, meaning they could pump on both the forward and return stroke thus increasing efficiency.
In addition to the main beam engines, the site also housed several smaller steam engines for auxiliary tasks, including pumping clean water to the boilers and driving workshop machinery.
Claymills is one of the most complete surviving examples of a Victorian pumping station, with much of the original machinery still intact and operational. The site now functions as a museum, offering educational tours, events that showcase the engineering marvels of the Victorian era including steam days, where visitors can see the engines in action.
The site also has a collection of other historical machinery and tools used in maintaining the station.
Due to its well-preserved state, Claymills has been used as a filming location for various documentaries and historical films, offering a glimpse into the industrial past.
Claymills Pumping Station is not just an industrial relic but a living museum that continues to educate and inspire those interested in engineering, history, and the industrial revolution. Its preservation allows visitors to step back in time and witness the power and ingenuity of Victorian engineering firsthand.

Claymills Pumping Station is inside the Derby Aerodrome FRZ so you will have to get authorisation to fly. Best to apply via email at least 24 hrs in advance to [email protected], although they have given me authorisation over the phone on occasions. In the email you'll need to include the following details:

1. Provide a map with the intended area of flight circled ie on a google map, or similar.
2. Time and date of flight.
3. Flight Duration.
4. Your Op ID and Flyer ID (if applicable).
5. UAS Device(s) to be used.
6. Your Name!

You will also be asked to contact them on the intended day just before and after your flight on Tel: 01283 733803. Sounds a lot but it really is easy and I've never been refused yet.

There are plenty of places to park, depending on the day you visit and check before you go on their website (https://www.claymills.org.uk/) as the pumping station is not always open. Best time to go are on thier STEAM days, when 2 of their 4 beam engines are fully operational, usually in conjunction with many more steam powered engines and quirky devices!

Word of Warning, there is a trainline running adjacent to the Station along with a level crossing with barrier. Not an issue really but I'm a belt and braces sort of guy!

View and discuss this location in more detail on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.82966, -1.611278 • what3words: ///glue.hangs.windy

The originator declared that this location was inside a flight restriction zone at the time of being flown. Permission to fly was obtained from Derby Aerodrome ATC. It remains the responsibility of any pilot to check for any changes before flying at the same location. Landowner permission may be required before taking off.

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Kilnsey Crag, Craven (By Scaleber)

Bit of a paraphrase from Wikipedia - The village of Kilnsey is mentioned in the Domesday Book as Chilsie when it was described as waste. The most notable feature of Kilnsey is a large limestone cliff called Kilnsey Crag, overlooking the road and the River Wharfe from the west. The crag is around 170 feet high, with an overhang of 40 feet. It was painted by J. M. W. Turner in 1816. The crag contains several of Britain's most extreme sport climbing routes, such as Northern Lights 9a (5.14d), and North Star 9a (5.14d), by Steve McClure.

Just one more amazing feature of the Dales.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 54.10868, -2.040651 • what3words: ///cowering.nooks.coasting

Cove, Argyll, Garelochhead (By Scaleber)

Cove is a beautiful place with an interesting history. In common with many villages in the area, Cove provided summer lodgings for the families of wealthy Glasgow merchants, shipowners and businesspeople in the 19th century. Many of the houses therefore are amazing. But it is Loch Long which makes it spectacular.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 55.99358, -4.854133 • what3words: ///sprawls.handover.jeering

Doune Castle, Scotland, Carse of Stirling (By Scaleber)

Doune Castle sits near the village of Doune, in the county of Perthshire. Originally built in the 13th century it has a rich history. Of more recent note is its major role in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Due to all the original locations falling through, Doune represented every castle (Camelot, Castle Anthrax, Swamp Castle, French Castle) with the exception of Castle Stalker (Argyll) which was “Castle Aaargh”

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 56.18525, -4.050618 • what3words: ///surprises.having.native

Norman Park, Bromley (By grandad1950)

A very large park near Bromley with a fine Athletics track, multiple sports pitches, and a well known weekend park run.
Big car cark and loads of space to fly.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.38694, 0.022112 • what3words: ///retail.dimes.gained

Walgrave Moated Site, Daventry (By Scaleber)

Extract from Historic England - "The moated site at Walgrave lies to the north of Walgrave village and forms part of the present village recreation ground. The site is considered to be the location of the manor house and of a small associated fish pond. The moated area is square and is almost completely surrounded by a flat bottomed ditch up to 3m deep and 10m wide. The moat system was supplied by the small stream which runs to the east of the site and the east ditch of the moat is still waterlogged. This stream also supplies water to the small pond which lies to the north of the moat and a water channel links the moat ditches and the pond. To the west and south of the moated site are the earthwork remains of further water channels which formed part of the water management system on the site. The moat island is about 35m square and is reached by a narrow causeway which crosses the west ditch. On the south side of the moat island a raised rectangular building platform indicates the site of a former building."

Walgrave is a lovely village as well.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 52.34329, -0.82471 • what3words: ///factoring.breezy.reserving

Daltullich Bridge, Rafford, Dallas, Dyke to Dava (By cduncan)

18th Century humpback stone bridge over the River Findhorn. Steep sided gorge and rapids.
Turn off the B9007 at Relugas. There is limited parking on the far side of the bridge but some space to pull in either side of adjoining road.
Access to the river is down an uneven track. There are lots of trees but TOAL possible from rocks or small sandy patches.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.51792, -3.693911 • what3words: ///tiling.downsize.marble

Whiteness Point, Nairn Rural (By cduncan)

Park at the Hilton of Delnies car park and walk or cycle along the beach, there is also a track that runs through the gorse bushes to the point if the tide is in.
This area falls into the Whiteness Head SSSI. There are also major construction works in the adjacent Adersier Port which you need to be mindful of.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.59588, -3.982773 • what3words: ///galloped.wagers.mingles

Secret Beach at Hilton of Delnies, Nairn Rural (By cduncan)

Big wide beach extending about 5 miles to Whiteness Point with views across the Moray Firth. Accessed down a farm road off the B902. There is parking for a few cars at the end of the track. The area is covered by an SSSI. This relates mainly to risks of erosion and invasive species, as well as two non-breeding birds.
This can be a busy spot in summer months but there is plenty of space on the beach and in the lagoon area behind to avoid people.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.58619, -3.937455 • what3words: ///meanders.bracing.qualify

Dulsie Bridge, Nairn Rural (By cduncan)

18th Century stone bridge spanning a narrow gorge over the river Findhorn. Signposted turn-off from B9007 down a single track road. Small parking space next to the bridge. Short walk down a marked path to the view point.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 57.45048, -3.781271 • what3words: ///cries.warm.motels

Dragon's Teeth , Medway (By Scaleber)

Extract from Historic England - "Concrete anti-tank obstacles forming a north-west to south-east line approximately 570m long on the foreshore to the north of Grain village. The line consists of concrete asymmetric anti-tank pimples (truncated pyramids also colloquially known as Dragon's Teeth) in offset rows approximately 1.2m apart."

Amazing these are still there! Worth a flight.

View and discuss this location on Grey Arrows.

Co-ordinates: 51.46384, 0.71292 • what3words: ///saving.income.silent


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