New sluice keeps Springhead’s hydro turbine turning

The hydro turbine installed at Springhead’s lake helps us reduce our carbon footprint, by generating renewable electricity. However, accumulating weeds, leaves and sticks have been clogging up the system which has at times resulted in it being shut down. Now, thanks to two grants, we have been able to install a new sluice gate to deal with this problem, and to help regulate the flow of water.

The picturesque lake at Springhead is an old mill pond, and water here has powered corn, cloth and timber mills since before the Domesday survey. As well as being a valuable part of the historic landscape, the lake is important for wildlife, and is enjoyed by groups of school children and other visitors. The lake is fed from the site’s natural springs which bubble up from the ground, and water flows from the lake, under the mill building, into the Fontmell Brook, and on down into the village and to a series of mill ponds.

Regulating the flow of the water is essential in order to avoid flooding of Springhead’s historic mill building and areas further downstream, explains Site Manager, Alf Pyrke: ‘The new sluice gate (above) channels water through a pipe to the turbine, acts as an automatic height regulator, and stops debris building up. We’re extremely grateful to the two grant-making bodies which part-funded this work, as it means we’re now able to keep our hydro turbine moving. This allows us to generate electricity which reduces our carbon footprint, helps us educate our visitors about renewable energy, and saves money which means we have more to spend on our charitable activities.’

‘Getting the new sluice gate installed wasn’t an easy task’ however, he continues, ‘as it involved creating a dam using scaffolding and plastic sheeting, and then draining out the water from the section of the lake closest to the mill building.’ The charity now plans to fundraise for equipment to fully automate the system.

The new sluice gate system was part-funded by two grant-making bodies – the Southall Trust, and the Naturesave Trust, which is funded by the activities of Naturesave Insurance, ‘the UK’s leading ethical insurance provider for individuals, businesses, charities and community groups.’

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Springhead is a charity
Registration number: 1112083
Company register number: 5370640

The Springhead Trust is a small charity, so any support you give will make a big difference. With your help, we can continue preserving our historic buildings and gardens for the benefit of all, and give more children and groups the opportunity to enjoy the countryside and arts, and learn about sustainable living.

Springhead
Fontmell Magna
Shaftesbury
Dorset SP7 0NU

Phone: 01747 811853
Email: [email protected]

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