A new information board giving details of the history and inhabitants of Pritchetts Pond has been installed by Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council (NCCC).
As well as being of historical significance, Pritchetts Pond is also home to a variety of wildlife, including newts.
Mark Earp of Kitbridge Enterprises Trust — which kindly provided further information on the history of the pond for the public, said:
“The Pritchett family originally came from Alberbury & Whaddon in 1770 in response to an advertisement in the Salisbury Journal asking for a company to build a House of Industry, more commonly known as a workhouse.
"The House of Industry was built on the site of St Mary's Hospital and some of the original building is still in use today.”
In digging for clay to make the bricks and tiles, the pond was formed which used to be a third bigger than it is nowadays.
The House of Industry was completed in 1810 and the family set up a brick-building empire across the Island with numerous sites including Gunville, Northwood and Rookley.
The bricks were handmade and examples of the Pritchett bricks through the decades as well as information on the other brickwork sites were on display at the unveiling.
Mark Earp said:
“Newts are critically endangered and the pond plays a crucial role.”
The permanent board was unveiled by NCCC Cllr Joe Lever, alongside Mark Earp. Also in attendance were Mary Pragnell and Wayne Pritchett, both descendants of the original Pritchett family.
Cllr Joe Lever said:
“It is a privilege to be able to recognise the importance of local habitats and the history of the area. It is lovely to welcome descendants of the Pritchetts to see their family legacy.”
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