Calne: Doctor's Pond

When I was researching Priestley House it came to light that Doctor's Pond wasn't sited at the spot where this plaque is. This is the point where the Abberd Brook joins the River Marden. There's some confusion which I hope to get to the bottom of.

Priestley discovered oxygen while he was working for Lord Lansdowne in Bowood House, where he had a room set aside for him to use as a laboratory, and while he was living in Calne at The Old Vicarage he would wade through the pond at the bottom of the garden examining bubbles. It isn't clear which premises the Old Vicarage was at that time, as it has changed a couple of times over the centuries, and in any case it seems certain that the pond doesn't exist anymore.

I found references to The Old Vicarage, Mill Street, but this seems to be a mis-attribution as there is an Old Vicarage on the east side of Anchor Road, which Mill Street turns into. The Old Vicarage in Anchor Road is quite a way from the church, but it seems probable that the old garden used to run down to the river, where it crosses Horsebrook, so the pond could have been adjacent to the river there. Horsebrook comes out at the top of The Green, which is then a short distance to St Mary's.

I'd like to be more certain about this, and may learn more when Bowood House re-opens in the Spring, as the lab is on view there. Meanwhile, this is the plaque by the River Marden next to the Co-Op car park.

L.
23.12.2014 (1954 hr)

Blip #1452 (#1702 including archived blips)
Consecutive Blip #014
Day #1735
LOTD #687 (#807 including archived blips)

Lens: Pentax 12-24 mm

Calne series
River Marden series

Lozarhythm Of The Day:
Françoise Hardy - Bowm Bowm Bowm (1972)
I had Françoise Hardy for company while I was preparing Christmas cards, including this self-titled album and this track, which was new to me.

One year ago: iMac