312. Abbey Pumping Station, Leicester

[@maybelucky2558]

I sure wish this genuinely nice man should have over 10,000 subscribers!! Everyone watching please share with others. From Kenny, USA.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Greetings Kenny and thank you so much for your support. Subscriber numbers have virtually come to a halt, up and down, up and down, but no progression. 10,000 would be a wonderful target to reach. All the very best to you.

[@brodie2711]

I just love the way the Victorians decorated their machinery with delicate lines and artwork, I can't imagine modern engineers doing the same. Thank you, Alan

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

The modern way tends to be rather plain doesn’t it. The Victorians embellished their buildings with ornate mouldings and such like. And they tended to be over engineered for longevity. Cheers, hope all well.

[@brodie2711]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture I'm fine thank you Alan, but I hate this cold weather but at least I've been able to keep my flat nice and toasty. One of the downsides of being disabled is that without walking you feel the cold much more. Stay warm yourself my friend

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

@@brodie2711 I'm glad you're snug Stephen, you're in the best place indoors, I'd stay there as long as you can. I've got the boat plenty warm, so all is good here. Look after yourself, cheers.

[@stevehoare6378]

Hi Alan, well I must say what glorious pieces of engineering...absolutely beautiful.I think some of your viewers have already echoed my thoughts....how will today's efforts be regarded in years to come...not with the same nostalgic pride, and envy of those who created them, that these beautiful things inspire...but maybe I'm wrong! Fabulous trip and thank you for allowing us to tag along..🍷🍷

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Modern buildings are much plainer and seldom very ornate, Victorian infrastructure tends to be over engineered and is built to last! I think you’re right. Thanks for watching and commenting. All the best🥂

[@jamesfoley6555]

My husband Jim just thought your vlog today to marvellous, I enjoy the builds and can appreciate them🙏✝️🙏🇨🇦

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That’s very kind of you to say, thank you so much. The Victorians were great engineers.

[@creativeartist2]

Just a wonderful wellbuilt building, Very pretty, with the gold inlays .Thank Allen for the history. Have a great weekend Allen🤠🙏🙋🙋‍♂

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Tammy and Glen, I'm so pleased you enjoyed watching and hope you are both keeping well. Have a lovely Christmastime x

[@catherine3902]

Thank you Alan. We are so privileged to be able to see these Victorian pieces of engineering working like this. Extremely interesting.🙂

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you Catherine, glad you enjoyed watching 😀

[@castingshadows282]

It goes to show how things in the past were made to last, and with pride and superb workmanship, unlike the days of now. The engineering was, and still is a master piece to be proud of. Even the building's had a place of their own showing just how much went into showing off its architecture of much splendour. Brilliant vlog Alan, quite enjoyable to watch.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That’s very good of you to say. Victorian engineering was superb, things were made to last in those days. The land drainage machine at Westonzoyland Pumping Station where I volunteer is 160 years old and still capable of doing the job it was built for. All the best, thanks for commenting.

[@Kat69nh]

Hi Alan. Love that you show different things. Like on the camper traveling

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Kat, hope you enjoy watching.

[@janeabbotts]

Anything steam is always worth a look, beautiful building. What a lovely spot for ones ashes...shame I can't use it. Thank you for your vlog. Cheers.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks for watching and commenting Jane, I'm glad you enjoyed it. All the best.

[@sandyprosser805]

Hi Alan what a brilliant video so full of our era makes me feel old!!!! Loved the pillars so much detail. Have a great Christmas. 🎉

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you Sandy, a magnificent piece of Victorian engineering. You too have a lovely Christmas 🎄

[@cassrailroad5358]

Really love the video, so very interesting 🤔 👍👍💯💯💯. The engine and all the rest of stuff looks great.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you very much, good of you to say. Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@nigelw512]

Another great video Alan. That building and the machinery were wonderful and to think it was all done manually and not a CNC machine in sight.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much Nigel, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Remarkable Victorian engineering, built to last.

[@IJ_uk]

Hi Alan. I've been working on sewage works and sewage pumping stations for 30 years and it's interesting how it all works. But these old pumps are amazing when you look at their size and the decorative design of the pumps, building and grounds. Sewage pumping stations now will be a couple of 3 phase submersible pump, ultrasonic level control with backup floats, telemetry, galvanised gridding, davit and socket for lifting, and a green fiberglass kiosk. Bye for now...... ❤️❤️

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Ian, that sounds very interesting work. The Victorians were magnificent engineers, everything built to last. To see a similar pumping station in action, please look at my video 107 on Papplewick Pumping Station near Nottingham. Cheers, have a great Christmas.

[@davidsedlickas8222]

Superb filming and commentaries Alan. It's a place I would not have considered visiting since we are too far away. Very serious engineering fabulous to see from your camera. With the energy crisis you never know coal might be making a come back and steam might be the order of the day again. A familiar journey on the good old M1 ! Safe travels and thanks for showing the pumping station to all your fans Keep safe warm dry and virus free. 11.55 time in. A very nice touch to the memory of a construction worker who was killed the carved cross in the wall.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That's so kind of you to say David, another example of magnificent Victorian engineering. Power supply is a source of concern, and steam is still used in many different ways from the humble iron to the nuclear power station.Did you ever watch Video 107 on Papplewick Pumping Station, Nottingham, a similar set up but with live action. All the best, take care and have a great Christmas.

[@bobt3374]

That was an excellent video Alan i have been around a number of vehicle displays from the past & having called on many farmers over my 52 years in the tyre & garage trade it is amazing how many collections there are. Take care. 🍻

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you very much Bob. There are lots of private collections aren’t there, always special to see something preserved in a barn in its original running condition. All the best👍

[@weavenut]

Thank you for a wonderful film, the details for accessibility of the site is greatly appreciated, I was watching it at first that this would never be a place I could visit, it now would be a consideration if I get a chance to be in the location

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That’s very kind of you to say Sandra, I’m glad you found the access details useful. I hope you can get to visit one day.

[@dotmenziesholden1251]

You can almost feel the pride the Victorian engineers must have felt when they built these pumping stations. Truly a work of art.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Agreed. They’re like palaces inside and yet only a handful of workers would ever see them. Built to last, so we can enjoy them today.

[@jennybailey6842]

Wow Alan, that was such an interesting place. I would enjoy it there, it was nice to see all of the well kept equipment, it is really looked after. Nice to see the bicycles as well! What a silly idea putting the parking details on the Internet. As you said, not everyone looks at the Internet, they should have had clear signs for campervans. Thanks for this vlog, you really do these outing vlogs well. I know how much time and effort you put into them. Thank you. xx

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much for your lovely comment and appreciation of my efforts Jenny, this type of Victorian pumping station was always very well embellished and equipped with machinery built to last. The parking is rather odd, I think it relies on an eagle eyed parking attendant to tell one where to go. Take care xx

[@jennybailey6842]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture You too xx

[@stevesrepairs5778]

Thanks Alan, this was a very interesting video and I think that it was good of you to point out how vague the parking instructions were for campervan owners. I hope that you have resolved the problems with your new microphones. Take care and all the best. Stevie

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Stevie. Glad you liked it. I’ll mention the microphones in more detail on another occasion. User error, as no explanation in the User Manual, which Hollyland have agreed to amend at my suggestion! Cheers, all the best.

[@ninawray6483]

abbey pumping station is my childhood ive been there 1000 times and tomorrow im going there

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

You're very lucky Nina, to have visited so many times, keep up the good work and enjoy your visit tomorrow.

[@michaelhiggins7365]

This was absolutely thoroughly enjoyable Alan. Kudos to you for doing such a fine job as always, on presenting such a wonderful if not vicarious, look into British engineering and heritage. I've always maintained, the British seem to do an excellent job of preserving as well presenting, their history and monuments. Thank you so much for the tireless work which goes into these videos and . . . as a p.s. I LOVED the piano music you chose for this video.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That’s very kind of you to say Michael, your appreciation means a great deal to me, thank you so much. There is no doubt we have always been at the forefront of technology over here. I’m glad you liked the music. All the best to you both.

[@robenblakey8236]

What a fun trip!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

It certainly was, are you nearly ready for Christmas?

[@robenblakey8236]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture yes my house is very festive now. I don’t look forward to retuning it to storage. It took 4 days to set it all up!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

@@robenblakey8236 Wow that must be something really special. I only have a few decorations to put up on the boat.

[@robenblakey8236]

Look at my Facebook page to see my decorations.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

@@robenblakey8236 I’ve looked, you have been busy, it’s all so lovely, ready for family and friends to visit and Santa of course 🎅x

[@ssliberte]

What a special place

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Fantastic isn’t it!

[@hobbshire9373]

Interesting vlog, thanks!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Good of you to say👍

[@MrOVERANOUT]

Amazing building. The outside frontage looks like a small stately home and gives little clue as to the purpose of what lies within. The inside is yet another surprise. They certainly knew how to embellish buildings back then. What a wonderful place. This is a historic treasure that certainly deserves preserving. Thanks Alan.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Harry, I agree, I love these old pumping stations. If you want to see a similar one in action, please look at my video No.107 on the Papplewick Pumping Station near Nottingham. All the best.

[@dalehampton4554]

Fascinating, how far we have progressed in the last 125 years, but much of the beauty and pride in our creations has been lost. God love the Victorians!

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Agreed. The Victorians built magnificent buildings, over engineered to last and well embellished. A real tribute to their ingenuity.

[@stuartforsyth4279]

Hello Alan, fantastic building and fascinating Victorian highly embellished equipment and infrastructure, as you say they can be considered works of art now as well as in its former life as a working building. Thanks for sharing

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Glad you enjoyed watching Stuart, I love these old pumping stations built to a high standard and to last the test of time. All the best.

[@ralphwood5875]

Another very interesting episode Alan ,you know like you I'm a fan of old engineering, what was the working steam pressure I'm guessing somewhere around 100psi or less with either a Scotch or Lancashire boiler or similar. Installations liket his were at the leading edge of engineering back then so no wonder they went to town with the embellishments which were magnificent. Thanks for the tour Alan much appreciated. We're In the midst of a big snowstorm forecast to dump 25 to 30cms over night and tomorrow so I know what I'll be doing tomorrow. Cheers and all the very best for the festive season.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Ralph, sounds as though you've got your work cut out clearing that snow, at least you're prepared for it. This is a magnificent piece of engineering, built to last, to see a similar pumping station in action, please watch video No.107 on Papplewick Pumping Station near Nottingham. All the best, seasons greetings to you and your family.

[@martinworrall5888]

Another very interesting vlog Alan, I can see you driving that steam shovel haha 👍

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

That would be great fun 👍

[@martinworrall5888]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture 😂

[@colinhollingsworth3468]

Nice little video Alan, we live close to Bressingham Steam Museum in Norfolk was wondering if you have ever visited it I’m sure you would find it of interest.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Colin, thanks for watching and commenting. Thanks also for suggesting Bressingham, I visited there in 2012. At the time, I also visited the Horsey Wind Pump and made a short film, which I later amended and published as Video No.171 on my channel. I mention that in case it may be of interest to you. All the best, take care.

[@J1mbo888]

Hi Alan. Nice to see you on my Home Turf. It did make me larf tho with your pronunciation of certain things ! :-)

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Was good to be there. Wot fings did you av in mind Jimbo. Woz it street names?

[@lynettecoates4272]

Great to watch this interesting vlog..lovely to go back in time... also love your seat pattern in the van..are they covers ?? Need some retro ones for my car so keen to get names of sets!! X

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Lynette, they’re not covers, I really need to get some though, as the fabric is wearing in many places. I do have some fabric tucked away somewhere for repairs. Glad you enjoyed watching x

[@posys5140]

wow I like the old timey steam engines !

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Magnificent aren’t they 👍. All the best .

[@lionelmarytravels6003]

Hello Alan and a very Happy Christmas to you. That was a very interesting film. I was amazed by the decorative work on the pillars inside the pumping station. So much highly specialised work for something that was basically hidden from public view. The old vehicles were also wonderful. I managed to recognise a few in passing, especially the fire engine. As for the parking. Why can't they make it clear as to where you can park. It's not as if camper vans are rare! Take care of yourself.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi both, Merry Christmas. The Victorian pumping stations are a sight to behold inside. To see one in action, please watch video No.107 on Papplewick Pumping Station near Nottingham. It was unbelievable about the parking, a very strange approach to it. All the best, take care.

[@chrisjboardman7360]

I love you video Alan

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thank you so much Chris.

[@keithl6249]

Enjoyed the tour. Everything from those days seems grander. If a vehicle fits in a regular size space, I don't see why it should cost more. But It seems like a nice exhibit, so I guess consider it an extra donation. Take care.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Keith. The van does need larger than a standard space because of its length, so I’m not averse to paying a little more. All the best.

[@hughcarson6837]

Good one Alan

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Many thanks Hugh.

[@eglenceeburdaa6896]

I am from Turkey ı visited there last year ı miss Leicester

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Greetings to you. Thanks for watching the video. Perhaps you’ll get to visit again.

[@anfieldroadlayoutintheloft5204]

good vid thanks lee

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Thanks Lee, season’s greetings to you.

[@KatelynsAdventures707]

Hi Alan, that was really interesting, thx for sharing. I think it’s also awesome there is a place where people can spread there ashes. It looks a lovely spot. Will you go back and look at the space centre or is there not tours of it? Take care and have a happy Christmas. Love from downunder 💙🙋‍♀️

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Hi Katelyn. The Space Centre doesn’t really interest me, so I’ve never thought about visiting. It would have when I was young. Just a week now to Christmas. I still get reports of bad weather down under even though it’s summer. Have a wondrous Christmas and enjoy the festivities. All the best xx💙

[@KatelynsAdventures707]

@@MyNarrowboatVenture hi, ignore reports on WA, we are in the 30’s all this week 😓 we probably won’t see rain for months now. Unless we all do a rain dance. It’s going to be 36 on Thursday, but a glorious 30 on Christmas Day 😊 we’ve been lucky enough the rain band covers the top of Australia and heads down the east coast. x

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

@@KatelynsAdventures707 I'm glad you've got fine weather, sounds lovely. My reports on weather must be coming from the east x

[@meruliouslacrimens5154]

We visited in 2018, fascinating, marvellous how the victorians put all that pride and decoration into sewerage management. The rest of the museum is good too, we laughed at a lot of the display cabinets as we grew up with a lot of the display items. There is a much smaller version on the Cromford canal in Derbyshire.( non-navigable) they get steam up on bank holidays. Thankyou for this, but look at that grin on your face. Not everybody parks on the internet, so could they be prosecuted for discrimination against non-internet savvy people?

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

This is a magnificent piece of engineering, to watch a similar pumping station in action, please watch my No.107 on the Papplewick Pumping Station near Nottingham. It’s Leawood Pump House to which you refer, I may manage to visit one day. I think better signage is needed at the car park. All the best, take care.

[@northwalescoast7911]

I wonder if people of the future will look at today's technology and consider them as things of beauty...I think not.

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

Depends how far ahead you’re looking. But you’re probably right ….

[@Rovinman]

Construction of ANY Industrial, (Private), project, is, these days built down, to a price ! If you want anything else, you have to pay extra ! (Campervan parking for example !). I presume therefore, that those beautiful column head capitols, were in the existing outline design brief, for Gimpson, (and others), to bid on ! I know only too well, (as an architect), what it's like, trying to get something, just that little bit extra, out of a Contractor, especially if it's not going to be seen by the general public. Thanks Alan, for showing this Industrial Heritage. Take care, Stu xx

[@MyNarrowboatVenture]

@@Rovinman Hi Stuart, many of these Victorian pumping stations are very well embellished internally, I've always thought it was a matter of Victorian pride to make them so ornate, cost not being a limiting factor like today. The building was designed by Stockdale Harrison, a Leicester based architect, who was quite prolific in Leicester, not a town I'm familiar with, albeit it's now fairly close by. Thanks for watching and commenting. All the best, keep safe.