Fronting London Road is Thomas Tredgold House, a 1960s style office block originally built and owned by Millars Machinery Co Ltd.
This site was first developed in 1902 by general and hydraulic engineers, Featherby’s Ltd, a company founded in 1898 by Harry Featherby after he took over the engineering workshop in Apton Road of *George Ingold – hydraulic engineer, artesian well sinker and pump-maker.
*George Ingold: born 4 October 1832, died 31 May 1899
George Ingold pump maker and well-sinker for the Mineral Waters Works. His works were in Usher Lane, now known as Apton Road.
A note in one of the company’s record of deliveries states that Water pumped from well
1952 totalled 76,800 gallons.; in 1953 totalled 76,300 gallons
After this time water from this well was no longer used in the manufacture of soft drinks.
George Ingold died in 1899 and is buried in the cemetery where a fine tombstone to his memory has been erected.
His business was acquired by Fetherby who began the engineering works in Thorley in 1902. George Ingold’s pump has been restored by the present works…
The cast iron bodies of water pumps are thought to have been cast at William Hughes’ iron foundry in the Causeway.
Follow the link to find out more about William Hughes’ iron foundry: Hockerill Cut – Bishop’s Stortford and Thorley – A History and Guide
