October 2011: Greys Court horse wheel
In the early 1970’s it came to the attention of J K Major that a horse wheel at Shabden Park, Chipstead, Surrey had become unsafe and was in danger of collapsing. Ken Major, an active member of the Berkshire Industrial Archaeology Group (BIAG), and also an expert in animal-powered machinery, arranged for its rescue and re-erection at Greys Court, Henley by members of BIAG.
8 January 1973: Dismantling the horse wheel at Shabden Park
The two-horse wheel, which drove two pumps raising water from a 488 ft. (150 metres) deep well, was in an open building. The water was pumped into a slate water tank in the roof space of the horse wheel. The horse wheel had two horse arms mounted above an inverted crown wheel, which was itself mounted around a sleeve which revolved around the central pillar of the building housing the machine. The building was octagonal and made of cast iron. It was designed like a band stand, each corner supported by a cast iron column. The roof system had timber beams on the face, but cast iron support beams.
Horse wheel at Shabden: gearing detail
The horse wheel was dismantled in 1973, transported to Greys Court and re-erected by members of BIAG. Unfortunately, the great weight of the slate meant that the tank was broken during the dismantling. The weight and size of the iron pump rods in the well meant that these had to be cut off just below ground level.
3 February 1973, 1: Shabden Park horse wheel showing slate tank. The great weight of the slate meant the tank got smashed whilst dismantling
2: Slate water tank with BIAG members J Chase, J K Major and L C Cameron
The dismantled ironwork of the horse wheel was transported to Greys Court using a lorry with a hydraulic crane. A concrete base was laid, with a hole in the middle to simulate the well done which the pump rods fitted. The heavy ironwork was lifted into position using a Chaseside crane (Fordson tractor based) belonging to Jo Moodie of Chazey Heath.
13 April 1975: Reassembing horse wheel at Greys Court with BIAG members J Sisitka, J Chase and G R Wallace Sims
13 April 1975: horse wheel at Greys Court, with most of the ironwork in position
8 June 1975: horse wheel at Greys Court complete apart from roof
Just testing!
Greys Court: BIAG members roofing horse wheel
The official opening of the horse wheel was performed on 8 June 1975 by Lord and Lady Brunner, the owners of Greys Court, who donated the property to the National Trust.
Greys Court horse wheel complete
Greys Court also has a Tudor Donkey Wheel which was used for raising water was from a well 180 ft. (55 metres) deep.