Scarthin
Nick & the Greyhound Pond, about 1905 |
Matlock Bath : Twentieth Century Photographs,
Postcards, Engravings & Etchings |
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An Edwardian photograph of the Greyhound Pond, looking from
the lower slopes of Cromford Hill across Water Lane, where
the pony and trap is, to the houses and cottages of the hamlet
of Scarthin on the far side. Such a large pond is a wonderful
asset for any community but during the nineteenth century Scarthin's
residents faced some public health issues because of the pond.
It was contaminated by Bonsall sewage, which drained into it.
In 1872 the Inspector of Nuisances, Mr. Sharp, stated that
the drainage in the district of Scarthin Nick was in a most
imperfect state.[1] Then,
in a report to the Bakewell Rural Sanitary Authority in 1887,
Dr. Knox said that he had "frequently
complained of the filthy pond in that village, surrounded
as it is by cottages. Miasma is constantly given off, and
the pond is largely contributed to by the Scarthen [sic] portion
of the Matlock Local Board, who should at once be prohibited
from making this pond foul with their sewage"[2].
A public meeting, chaired by Mr. Arkwright, was held in
1890; it was suggested that, if Matlock Bath Local Board
desired, Scarthin could be included in the Cromford Meadows
sewerage scheme that was proposed for Cromford village[3].
The scheme went ahead, but Matlock Bath's Local Board were
then refused a grant that they'd hoped would cover the cost
and in 1894 Arkwright's steward, Mr. Parkin, wrote that "no
notice had been taken by the Board of his request for payment
by his superior in the Scarthin sewage scheme"[4]. |
"Scarthin, Cromford". Postcard, no. 2673, in the collection
of and provided by and © Ken Smith.
Researched, written by and © Ann Andrews.
Intended for personal use only.
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References:
[1] "The Derby Mercury",
Wednesday, January 10, 1872.
[2] "ibid",
Wednesday, October 5, 1887. The Filthy Pond.
[3] "ibid",
Wednesday, November 26, 1890. The Sewerage Question at Cromford.
[4] "ibid",
Wednesday, May 9, 1894. Report of Local Board meeting, when
the letter was discussed.
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