Water Tower

This is a water tower constructed in 1964, designed by Edmund C Percey of the architectural practice Scherrer and Hicks. It has a capacity of 50,000 gallons. The tower is built of reinforced concrete and comprises a circular water tank supported on a central circular column surrounded by eight curved piers, rising to meet eight panels that clasp the tank. The base of the tower is vertical, transitioning into a cone that widens towards the top. The piers rise to approximately 4.5 metres where they are linked by a recessed reinforcing ring. Above this, eight separated segmental panels rise and widen to clasp the slope-sided water tank. A second recessed reinforcing ring ties the panels together at the midpoint between the lower ring and the bottom of the tank. The panels project above the tank, each adjoining panel linked by two horizontal metal bars. The surface of the water tank has a darker finish than the concrete piers and panels. A doorway, with a solid timber door and overlight, is located at ground level of the central column. A concrete-slab path edged with a raised kerb leads to the doorway, and a raised circular concrete kerb runs around the outside of the piers, enclosing a ground covering of stone chippings. The architect notes that the structure was built in-situ using fairface concrete from plywood shuttering. The tower has a clean, modern, and distinctive appearance, with careful consideration given to mitigating the visual impact of such a prominent structure within the village setting. It possesses a sculptural quality elevating it beyond a purely functional design and giving it special interest nationally.