Date of picture unknown, but Water Hydrant is c1890. Location: Ocklynge Road, Eastbourne. what3words (approximate): member.enjoy.bench

This image is from a c1890 - 1900 postcard titled 'Ocklynge Road Old Town Eastbourne,' and shows a Water Hydrant Post with the pipe on top for filling the water carts that were used to damp down the dusty roads.  In the article in the 1984 booklet ‘Eastbourne’s Historic Street Furniture – Monuments & Memorials’ under the heading ‘Water Hydrant Posts' Harold Spears stated that the water hydrants were originally fitted with a 'swan neck' pipe, but the photograph shows that the pipe was in the shape of an inverted 'U' which would make more sense as it would give a greater reach to the water cart than a 'swan neck' design.   Harold also stated the pipes were fitted 'when necessary' to fill the carts, but clearly, as seen in this photograph, the pipes were a permanent fixture (at least in this example) and I suspect were only removed and the post capped off when they fell into disuse.  Just two minor points, but I felt they needed clarification. Unfortunately, this hydrant is no longer in-situ.