Conduit head

A conduit head, dating from 1736; the costs met by subscription.

MATERIALS: constructed of sandstone ashlar with a stone-flagged pyramidal roof surmounted by a ball finial.

PLAN: hexagonal on plan

EXTERIOR: the building stands two storeys high and has a low sandstone plinth. There are two rectangular openings in the south-east elevation. To the ground floor is a low doorway which is blocked with sandstone blocks, and the opening above has a wooden shutter. An inscribed plaque (added in 1950) on the south-west side of the building reads: Cannock Conduit Trust / founded 1736 / By Public Subscription for bringing a water / supply to the Township of Cannock. / This building was erected in the year 1736 / as the Conduit Head for the water / brought by pipe from Stringer’s Meadow / Rumer Hill Leacroft. The source of / water being given by Dr. William Byrche / of Leacroft Hall. The undertaking was / endowed by the Lord of the Manor the / Earl of Uxbridge, the Lord Bishop of Worcester / Sir Robert Fisher and others and later became / a registered Charity and served the Township / of Cannock for over 200 years.

SUBSIDIARY FEATURE: a cast-iron water pump stands adjacent to the conduit head and was re-located here from elsewhere in the town in the early C21. It is not included in the listing.