A new information board has been installed at Pritchetts Pond by Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council (NCCC).
The permanent board, which gives details of the history and inhabitants of the pond, was unveiled by NCCC Councillor Joe Lever alongside Mark Earp of Kitbridge Enterprises Trust who kindly provided further information on the history of the pond for the public.
At the opening, Mark said:
“The Pritchett family originally came from Alberbury & Whaddon in 1770 in response to an advertisement in the Salisbury Journal asking for a company to build a House of Industry, more commonly known as a workhouse. The House of Industry was built on the site of St Mary’s Hospital and some of the original building is still in use today.”
In digging for clay to make the bricks and tiles, the pond was formed which used to be a 3rd bigger than it is nowadays.
The House of Industry was completed in 1810 and the family set up a brick building empire across the island with numerous sites including Gunville, Northwood and Rookley. The bricks were handmade and examples of the Pritchett bricks through the decades as well as information on the other brickwork sites were on display at the unveiling.
As well as being of historical significance, Pritchetts Pond is also home to a variety of wildlife, including newts.
Also in attendance were Mary Pragnell and Wayne Pritchett, both descendants of the original Pritchett family.
Councillor Joe Lever said:
“It is a privilege to be able to recognise the importance of local habitats and the history of the area. It is lovely to welcome descendants of the Pritchetts to see their family legacy.”
