High on the North Downs is what is probably the most remote vestige of the prehistoric Wandle. The large Mere Pond at Walton on the Hill, which is believed to date back to Saxon times, lies at the very perimeter of the catchment area. It is reputedly fed by a spring (Clew 1968) and on inspection it is apparent that the modest valley has been dammed to enable spring water to accumulate as a pond. The dam is now the road alongside the pond. The spring/pond overflows into a slight valley to the east that drains into the Chipstead Valley. This in turn forms part of the ancient dendritic catchment for the Wandle via Purley and Croydon. The pond was once an important source of water for local residents and in 1868 it is recorded that it was decided to erect a pump on the pond together with a charcoal filled tank to provide pure drinking water. The pump remained in use until 1898 when mains water became available.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 10:53:52 +0000
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