The Farlington Aqueduct
 Created 25-02-2002    Last update 23-03-2008
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Farlington Aqueduct

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Mid shot of the collapse

Some stone slabs, acting as lintels, have partly collapsed revealing the top of the brick arch and a chamber below.

 
 
 
Close up of chamber

A close up shows a double course of bricks which form the roof of a vaulted chamber. Because of the east/west alignment of the tunnel there was speculation that it may be a tomb. However, Revd. Steve Summers did point out that the location was outside the Churchyard and that the 'tomb' was empty. It was very unlikely, he said, that anyone would go to such expense to created such a tomb and then not use it.
 
 
 
Reverse side of collapse

The opposite side of the opening indicates that the tunnel goes no further into the churchyard. Oddly the moss covered slab at the centre of the photo is made from concrete. It could be speculated that this area formed an access trench to the tunnel.
 
 
 
Inside the tunnel

Revd. Steve Summers ambitiously attached a camera to a pole and lowered it into the tunnel opening. The tunnel is about 8 feet in depth and terminates at a blocking wall. This image has been realigned from the original, hence the black borders.
 
 
 
Inside the tunnel

Further examination of this photo shows that the rear wall may not be the same age as the vault walling; the bricks and the mortar appear to be different. Does the Farlington Aqueduct lie just behind the rear wall, and is this tunnel an access spur to it?

 
 
 
doctored photo

This is the same picture as above but converted to monochrome and then to a negative image. This reveals the brickwork and especially the joints more clearly. The rear wall seems to be of much rougher construction.
 

 

Update 23-03-2008

On the same day that this webpage was published I received the following email:
 

 

First things first - what a fantastic website! I first discovered it about a year ago, and have found out so much about the town I grew up in, and love, that I never knew before. I've sent it onto most of my family, and it's a great hit with them too. Please do keep it up - it's one of a kind, truly! Anyway, onto the reason I was writing to you...

 

I was particularly interested in the story about the Farlington Aqueduct as it brought back memories of a story my mother used to tell me. I was born in Farlington in 1972, and I distinctly remember her telling me about a tunnel under her uncle's garden. I spoke to her today to find out some details, and it certainly fits in with the updates you've just posted.
 

Her uncle and aunt, Jim and Ede Vincent, lived at 2 St Andrews' Road. In the late 1970s or early 1980s. Whilst my uncle was mowing his lawn, part of the garden collapsed underneath him. The collapse revealed an underground tunnel a couple of metres below the surface which had been partly filled-in. At the time I distinctly recall her telling me that he investigated, and that the tunnel ran up to St Andrews' Church and was thought to be a "smuggler's tunnel" since it also continued in a southerly direction. Unfortunately all I know beyond that is that the hole was filled-in shortly after, and that my uncle and aunt have both now passed away.
 

However, 2 St Andrews road would fit in very well with the idea that the aqueduct ended "80 yards south-southwest of St Andrews' church".

 

Richard Shipton - April 2008

  
 
 
2008 map update

This is the situation of the evidence uncovered so far. The documentary evidence of: "emerged either at the back of St Andrew's church-yard, or 80 yards SW by S of the church" now seems to fit on both counts. Research into this is currently ongoing.
 
 
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Farlington Aqueduct

page 2 of 2