Capturing memories and making new ones at Pittville Pump Room
» HISTORIC buildings have colourful stories to tell, they are a treasure trove of memories across the decades and centuries.
How many stories would Pittville Pump Room have to tell? Built from 1825 and opened in 1830, how many memories have been made at the Grade I listed regency building?
How many romances have been sparked on the dance floor, how many marriages have begun under its beautiful dome, how many family celebrations hosted, how often have the walls resonated to the sound of music and laughter?
The pump room was planned as the centrepiece of Joseph Pitt’s vision of a ‘new town’ development of Pittville. With its majestic dome and styles combining Greek and Roman architecture, it was the last and largest of its kind to be built.
A new heritage trail telling the story of the pump room is being created by The Cheltenham Trust and will roll out over the coming months, with its launch timed to coincide with national Heritage Open Days in September.
The trail will tell the story of the building, from Pitt’s vision and its early success, through the decades to its requisition during the Second World War for military use when American servicemen were housed there, and on to the present day.
Visitors will be able to follow the story of the pump room, from inception to present day, but this trail will be more than just facts.
Sitting at the heart of the trail will be a memory wall, memories from the community, telling their stories of the pump room.
We want to capture those stories and create a treasure trove of memories from across the decades that can be shared for all to enjoy. It could be a personal memory or a family story that has been passed down through the years.
Every day we hear stories from visitors and customers at the Heritage Café, reminiscences of performing at the pump room as a school child, of celebrating milestone events there, of romances that blossomed on the dance floor, of school proms and marriages that began under the beautiful dome.
We’d love to see your photos and hear your stories which will be collated into a legacy piece that will be part of the heritage trail display in the pump room.
Please send us your written memory via email with photos, include your name and contact details and send it to communications@cheltenhamtrust.org.uk
Written memories can also be deposited in the memory collection box available at the Heritage Café during opening hours.
Whatever your memory, whether it’s recent or one that has been handed down over the years, we want to capture it on the wall of memories and share how the historic and much loved Pittville Pump Room has been part of community history and life.
The Cheltenham Trust looks forward to hearing from you.