EWW (Eastbourne Water Works) c1900 with manufacturers name. Location: Longstone Road, Eastbourne, near junction with Cavendish Place. what3words: broker.apples.sweat

Marked 'John Needham & Sons Ltd, Stockport.'

From Grace’s Guide: -

John Needham & Sons of Portwood, Stockport.

Iron founders, manufacturers of grids and manhole covers.

1834 Company established.

1918 Christopher T. Needham is a partner in the firm. He lives in Didsbury and is a local M.P.

1939 Colonel Joseph George Needham, governing director, dies. He is son of John Needham and brother of Sir Christopher T. Needham and Sir Richard A. Needham.

1979 Foundry closed.

From the 1905 Kelly’s Sussex Directory: -
Eastbourne Water Works Co. Ltd. 
A. J. Howard, General Manager, 14 Seaside Road.
Resident Engineer, James Creighton A.M.I.M.E., 1b Bedford Well Road, Eastbourne.

The origins of the Eastbourne Waterworks Company from ‘Bygone Eastbourne’ by J. C. Wright, 1902: ‘In very early times the inhabitants depended on private wells supplemented by the stream known as the Bourne which issued from a spring at Motcombe, and flowing along Watery Lane; now Water Lane (modern day Southfields Road), eventually found its way to the to the sea at Broadbourne.  The inhabitants of Sea Houses were badly supplied with water for drinking purposes, and it was largely to provide for their wants that the late Mr. James berry, who was agent to his Grace the late Duke of Devonshire, determined to impound the water of the Bourne.  This was in the forties (1840’s).  Mr. Berry constructed as reservoir not far from the source of the stream; this reservoir may be seen opposite Motcombe Farm House (and can still be seen today, it what is now Motcombe Park).  The water was conveyed to a pumping station at the corner of Susans Road, and for some time supplied the Sea Houses (Marine Parade area) and the inhabitants generally.  Thus was started the original Eastbourne Water Company. 

The rights of this company were taken over by the present company in 1859, when the latter was incorporated by Act of Parliament.  Acting on behalf of the estate, the late Mr. G. A. Wallis turned his attention to a new source of supply – that of the Bedfordwell – and an engine (steam engine and pump) was put down at the old Waterworks (modern day Waterworks Road area).  The works gradually increased as the requirements of the town grew; and in 1881 the present day Bedfordwell Works were erected.  Within the last few years three new sources of supply have been secured, viz. at Friston, Holywell, and Wannock; the water is not only excellent in quality, but amply sufficient for the needs of the town.’

 An article in the ‘Eastbourne Local History Society Newsletter’ of September 1986 written by M. J. Cruttenden, explains that the original pumping station ‘that of the Bedfordwell,’ mentioned in the 1902 book, was ‘on a site east of the LB&SCR (London, Brighton, & South Coast Railway) main line and north of the future site of the present-day Whitley Road bridge, known as Bedford Well.’  The article then states ‘In April 1876 the Water Company proposed an extension to the works by doubling the size of the buildings and installing a second 50hp steam engine.  This did not, however, satisfy demand and in the 1880’s the company began construction of a new well and pumping station on the opposite side of the railway line, adjacent to Whitley Road bridge.  The New Bedford Well as it came to be known, was opened by the then Prince of Wales (later Edward the Seventh) on the 30^th June 1883.  This well was to have a short life because in 1895 the Eastbourne water supply became contaminated and the New Bedford Well had to be abandoned.’

 Today (2024) the pumping station and surrounding brown field site are subject to Planning Application No: 210247 & 210248 (Listed Building).  From the ECE Architecture website ‘The designs propose 100 sustainable living spaces, consisting of apartments, houses, and community use.  The project includes the conversion of the existing Grade II Listed Victorian pump House and Annex into 20 bespoke apartments.’