Vange Well No.5

Vange Well No.5 is situated on the Langdon Hills ridge at the edge of Martinhole Wood, off One Tree Hill, just inside the parish of Fobbing.  This area is part of the Langdon Hills Country Park.

These days, the remains of the well have become something of a curiosity and attracts the attention of many people who become interested in learning more about its history.

One source of information is a book entitled “Essex Spas and Mineral Water, by Ronald and Ann Cowell and published by Ian Henry Publishers Ltd of Romford.  ISBN: 0 86025 519 0.  This can be requested from your local book shop or borrowed from the library.

Mr Edwin Cash, a retired publican of the Angel Pub, Islington, ran the Vange Mineral Water Co., from 1919 to 1924.  The business stopped trading due to the proximity of the West Ham TB Hospital which it was thought could possibly affect the spring water.

I have been in touch with a Clive Sinfield who has a bottle with its original seal.  He has kindly given me permission to publish his photographs here.

Clive also has a container marked “Checkers Mineral Water Co, Pitsea”, with small print below which says: “No charge on jar, but must be returned when empty. Anyone illegally using this jar will be prosecuted”.  Any information about this company and its exact whereabouts would be very much appreciated.

I found some very good history and photographs on the following website: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cheesyfeet/sets/72157623581389746/

I recently visited the No.5 well with my daughter who featured the ruin as a subject in a photographic project.  It’s such a terrible shame that the structure wasn’t granted a preservation order as it’s so sad to see its continuing decay.