Conduit Heads & Stream, Beer, Devon

 

The name of the village Beer comes from the Anglo-Saxon word Bearu, which means 'grove', as Beer was once surrounded by woods...and nothing to do with the alcoholic beverage! ;)

However, it does boast a small stream within a conduit running all the way down one side of Fore Street. Near the top of the street, at the bottom of the Causeway, is one of two conduit heads (see above left photo) which was used to regulate the flow of water. 

Coming directly from the start of the stream around the corner, the conduit channels the water through the head from where it runs straight. Prior to the conduit being built, fishermen used to gut their fish into the open stream running down the road, where it would eventually be carried down to the sea. However, the smell was so bad that the wife of the Lord of the Manor, Lady Rolle, ordered the conduit to be built in order to keep it to a narrow stream at the side, presumably making the flow faster to carry the refuse away quickly instead of lingering in the shallow water in the road. 

Built circa 1700, the conduit heads are listed Grade II. A simple square ashlar pillar with a brick base, they have pagoda tops with a ball finial and moulded cornice. Unfortunately, I didn't get any close-ups as I only had a short time in which to grab a few photos...

...apart from this one, below. Pointed out to me by a friend who lives in the cottage next door, the signature L.T. A was carved into the stone by the builder. 

And a view from the other side of the street, with the name Causeway ignominiously plastered on a Grade II Listed edifice, lol.

Interestingly, there has been a public responsibility towards supplying clean water since the Roman times in Britain, when aqueducts were constructed. Conduits were often built to bring water into towns during the Mediaeval period, some running along the streets whilst others were built underground. The city of Exeter was one of the latter, with the wonderful 14th &15th century underground passages, which are open for tours to the public.

The other conduit head is situated about halfway down the street, opposite St Michael's church. This one isn't in such a good condition as the other one but it's still delightful to see, though.

And lastly, if you happen to stumble into the stream then you're in good company, because it is said that you aren't a proper Beer boy or girl unless you've fallen into it at least once! ;)