How smart water hydraulics boosted a blockbuster business.

 

Sarum Hydraulics in Salisbury, UK, takes innovation in water hydraulics very seriously. With our pumps regularly being used across the globe, at Sarum Hydraulics we can’t help but wonder if our success might have something to do with Salisbury’s own hydraulic heritage.  From 19th Century sophisticated water meadow hydraulic solutions to the cutting edge Micropac® hand pumps of today, the secret is out: for top quality hydraulic solutions, in Salisbury: there must be something in the water.

 The importance of the wool trade on Britain from medieval times right through to 19th century must not go underestimated. With wool comprising a sizable portion of Britain’s national income as well as playing a defining role in the economy of the South, by 1800 there were some half a million sheep in Wiltshire alone.  The wool trade explosion meant a huge increase in revenue for the economy of Britain; business was booming, comparable in terms of wealth generated to the recent tech explosion in Silicon Valley (albeit with more wellies!)

 

Naturally, big business requires optimum conditions and any disruption to trade during the cold winter months was highly undesirable. Frozen ground, lack of grass and a hard winter’s climate meant that if Salisbury wanted to keep its ovine-economy productive during the year, it needed to keep its meadows wet and its ground soft.

 

Step forward old-school water hydraulics.

 

The five rivers which meet in Salisbury run through beautiful chalk valleys with ancient flood plains. To prevent frosted grass and boost Salisbury’s thriving wool trade over the winter, innovators turned to water hydraulics. Whilst flooding meadows with still water was found to simply kill the grass, careful design of water hydraulics in the form of the construction of “carrier” channels parallel with the main river provided fresh running water. A series of sluices then allowed the flood plains to be “drowned” with slow flowing river water ensuring the early growth of fresh grass and a boost to overall sheep farming productivity.  Come Spring, the meadows were simply drained and the sheep returned to pasture with fresh shoots of grass already on their way thanks to this innovative water hydraulic system.

There were big areas of water meadows along all these rivers, now sadly depleted due to building, alternative agriculture and neglect, although there is an increasing focus on the restoration of these age-old habitats in the Salisbury area. Five Rivers Environmental, located in Middle Woodford on the river Avon, specialises in re-engineering water meadows, and where they do still exist they provide the most exquisite countryside teeming with sheep, birds and even the odd Llama.

 

In Salisbury, we still have ancient water meadows across the river from the Cathedral, preserved for posterity by the excellent Harnham Water Meadows Trust who will be celebrating their 25th anniversary foundation this weekend.  With live music, picnics and water meadow tours all hosted at the idyllic Rose Cottage in Harnham, it is the perfect opportunity to explore a true slice of water hydraulic history.

 

Whether it is modern water hydraulics or medieval hydraulic innovation, Salisbury is the place to head.  Sarum Hydraulics knows global business has local roots. Find us at www.sarum-hydraulics.co.uk.

 

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For additional information about this weekend’s celebration of the Water Meadow Trust, please click here.