Water can once again be pumped out of an Upper Eden landmark which was erected to mark the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
Harold Birkbeck, chairman of Soulby Parish Council, hailed the restoration of the water pump as an “historic moment”.
“It’s fantastic. It’s a landmark for the village — and now it works,” said Mr Birkbeck.
Having been installed in 1887 by L Airey, plumber, Kendal, the pump was used by all the village before the water mains were put in during the 1930s.
For many, it was the first time they had seen water being pumped from the 10ft well, but not 99-year-old Soulby resident Douglas Birkbeck, who can remember as a boy taking water from the pump up to his house in a bucket.
At the request of the parish council, the pump has been restored by builder Dale Fisher, 33, of Soulby, and joiner Graham Alderson, of Kirkby Stephen.
Initially, the idea was to get the wooden box – which holds the pump and supports the handle – repaired.
But once the box had been taken off, it was found that the flags underneath it were not safe, so Dale was asked to have a look.
He said it would be a shame not to get the pump going again, and after doing a bit of research on the internet, did just that.
A sign has been put up to say that the water should not be drunk, but it can be used for people to wash their boots after being for a walk or to cool down on a hot day.
“The number of folk who come and sit round this pump in summer is unreal,” added Mr Birkbeck.
