The Big Hole
Extensive groundworks are currently underway to improve the drainage of the fish ponds and caravan site area and for the installation of a new digester to replace the existing septic tank. The digester required the large hole (pictured) to be dug and during the excavations a 17th century culvert was discovered. The culvert, which can be seen at the bottom right of the hole, is made of 2 inch clamp bricks and is there to drain the fishponds at the foot of the old formal gardens. It appears to be working still as, when it was unearthed, spouts of water shot out from the top and the hole began to fill. The workman can be seen lowering a pump to clear out the water before the new tank was lowered into position. The discovery of the culvert did cause a slight alteration to the plan but we managed to squeeze the new digester between it and the 3m high wall for the gardens.