They don't make 'em like this any more!

When she needed to empty a garden water feature, Audlem resident Ann Knapper knew exactly where to turn for help – a World War 2 Stirrup Pump.

The device had been given to her many years ago by her then neighbour Pat Matthews, late of Moorsfield House to the west of the village centre. The pump was dated 1941, making it now exactly seventy years old.

Despite its age, and not having been used in years, the pump worked perfectly first time and efficiently emptied the water feature – not the black bucket used for demonstration purposes in our photo – with even the hose still in near-perfect condition.

These Stirrup Hand-pumps, fitted with a dual jet and spray nozzle, were used by fire fighters to extinguish the Magnesium Electron bombs (or incendiary bombs) then being dropped on Britain in large numbers by the Luftwaffe.

The 30 feet of hose could be used by fire-guards at a safe distance from the heat and fire. A jet of water could be fired from 30 feet or as a spray from 15 feet.

And now they are a must-have item for gardeners with a water feature!

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