"The Colonial Bulldog," Victor von Woolfe, discovers an old Victorian water pumping station near Herstmonceux village in Sussex. It is badly in need of urgent restoration works. The owner, agrees to sell, setting poor Victor on a collision course with the Parish and Wealden councils, who don't like outsiders getting grant in their district. And are prepared to break the law, and ignore their duty to protect the historic built environment.

There are fewer and fewer old buildings in out of the way locations. Typically, these are controlled by Parish and district councils, and left to rack and ruin, unless there is money to be made. Otherwise, there is no beef. No profit, no interest, and the historic fabric that tells the story of mankind, is flushed down the toilet, to make way for development where cash can be made. In the planning arena, it's all about the money in the United Kingdom, and most certainly in greed driven Sussex. With corruption being among the highest in the Wealden District. But, that is not what the law says in the UK. Nor is that the law internationally.

Heritage assets are only respected, if they are owned by locals or others in the fold, who have power within the district. Such as Masons or wealthy contributors to party funds. Lords and Knights of the Realm. Otherwise, councils like Wealden would not want to cough up cash by way of grants. Indeed, they would rather spend council taxes denying any heritage value, than contribute funds, they would rather squander on retaining control, and paying high pensions, to an ever increasing army of leaches on society. That is how a system based on Empire building, piracy and slavery keeps control of the electorate/ The public who are none the wiser, going about their business believing that they exist to pay taxes, work all their lives to be taxed, and then, when they pass away, get taxed again, and if leaving no will or offspring, give all they have worked for to the unelected Head of State, in this case the Queen or King, for her or his estate.

Because the taxation system is unfair, supporting banks and bankers, multiple layers of Councillors and Members of Parliament, with procurement fraud being rife, and the whole is system designed so that non-working (upper and middle class bean counters) subjects, work the lower classes, who are also subjects, with no choice (or so they are led to believe) as to being "Subjects". Those who physically do the work, build the houses and roads. Farm the land. Make products in factories. Etc. Are the modern slaves, in a society built on slave trading.

Those "subjects" identified as "workers" to be taxed to within an inch of their lives, are to be prevented from benefiting from the efforts of their labours, to set an example to others aspiring to equality, that they might as well not bother.

"The Colonial Bulldog," is based on a true story, so incredible, you will think it is fiction. The facts, though, are there for everyone to see. Everyone but the myopic British justice system. Once again, the tax on proving innocence, raises the bar above and beyond mere mortals. Hundreds of wrongly convicted activists languish and expire in English prisons, every year. That is their secret agenda. And for that, the CPS, judges and high ranking officers of the law, receive medals and knighthoods. That is why, in the UK, there is no written constitution. There is an almost total lack of transparency and accountability, in violation of United Nations SDG 16.

The historic water Pumping Station in this written work based on a true story, is a fictional building that does not exist in reality, located somewhere close to the village of Herstmonceux. Such as to be included in one of the most sheepish of Parishes. A Parish that literally, is controlled by the Wealden district council (WC). No questions asked, they do the bidding of Wealden, not the bidding of their locality and what is good for Herstmonceux and the residents (those actually living within) and investors in the village. Not, unless the order to do so, comes from on high. In other words, there are no independent brains with the necessary backbone - working for good against the resident evil lurking in Wealden's offices. Those who join the clan simply to sit in on meetings to be in the planning know, and collect expenses for nodding their heads when asked to do so, may be seen as the cowards who are selling decent hard working people, down the river.

Those who dissent, ask questions as to legality, and generally go against the flow, are soon shown the door. The flow being to keep control of the share-out from property development. This is the British planning system at large.

Kelly Davis was one of those set down by Wansdyke District Council, as being a person who should not be allowed to make  living from property development. When his secretary applied for an identical planning consent, it was rubber stamped immediately. Wansdyke did not know the identity of the secretary, or that she worked for Kelly Davis. the difference being that she was British white, and Kelly was black African. It appears that Mr Davis had been identified as one of those who existed to be traded as a slave. Not allowed to hold or develop property, or to be a Free Man in a class based society - with a history of slave trading and exploitative colonization.

In 1981 the (British) Colonial Bulldog was a soft target - knowing nothing of planning law or corruption in local politics. Or, how the state works to cover up inconvenient cases, the tend to reveal the reveal the level of conspiracies. In this case, between Wealden District Council and Sussex police.

Victorian steam-powered water pumping stations were an integral part of the 19th-century infrastructure, contributing significantly to public health improvements following the typhoid and cholera epidemics. These stations were responsible for providing clean drinking water and sewage improvements, which were crucial in combating the contamination of water supplies that led to these epidemics.

Many of these pumping stations were designed by the civil engineer Thomas Hawksley, who was a pioneer in creating a permanent supply of water under pressure to large urban areas. His first such project was in Nottingham, and he contributed to the Royal Commission inquiry into the State of Large Towns and Populous Districts (1844-1845), which led to better sanitation and living conditions.

The architecture of these pumping stations is also noteworthy. Many were built in the Gothic style and are now listed buildings on the National Heritage List for England. Some of Hawksley’s pumping stations are still in operation today, and others, such as the Ryhope Pumping Station, have been converted into museums.

The history of canal pumping stations is also fascinating. Historically, water supply was a constant problem on canals, and the earliest reservoirs date from the 1760s. Over time, they were supplemented by pumping stations that raised water from wells or rivers, or re-circulated it by back-pumping at locks. Some early pumping stations were wind-powered, but steam-powered beam engine pumps were more common. The design of pump-houses evolved from functional utilitarian structures to more ornate ones as technology advanced.

One notable example is the Crofton Pumping Station, which contains the oldest working steam engine in the world – a Boulton & Watt engine originally built in 1812. It was modified in 1844, worked until 1958, and has since been restored.

These stations are a testament to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of the Victorian era and continue to fascinate historians, engineers, and the general public alike. If you’re interested in learning more about specific pumping stations or their history, why not ask a chatbot.

Corruption lurks in every corridor of local and national buildings. Queen Elizabeth was asked for help. She declined. The duty to provide an effective remedy, now rests with King Charles.

Herstmonceux village is known for several notable features:

Herstmonceux Castle: This is one of the earliest significant brick buildings in England, built in 1441 by Sir Roger Fiennes. It has a rich history and is associated with many dramatic events and stories, including those of ghosts and smugglers 1.

Trug Making: Herstmonceux is the home of the trug, a traditional wooden basket that has been a part of Sussex craft for over 200 years. The craft was popularized by Thomas Smith, who displayed his trugs at the Great Exhibition in 1851 1.

The Observatory Science Centre: Located in the grounds of Herstmonceux Castle, it is a significant attraction for science enthusiasts 2.

Herstmonceux Medieval Festival: Held annually in August, it is a popular event that brings history to life2.

The Old Generating Works: Now known as Herstmonceux Museum, it is one of the surviving examples of the early electricity generating industry in Sussex 3.

These are just a few of the things that make Herstmonceux a unique and interesting place to visit or learn about.

REFERENCE

https://sussexvillages.co.uk/herstmonceux/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herstmonceux
http://bushywood.com/sussex/herstmonceux.htm
https://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/places-to-visit/herstmonceux-p1272661
https://www.visiteastbourne.com/information/product-catch-all/herstmonceux-p1238741
https://www.visit1066country.com/destinations/herstmonceux
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/brick-herstmonceux-castle-royalty-free-image/532171880

https://sussexvillages.co.uk/herstmonceux/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herstmonceux
http://bushywood.com/sussex/herstmonceux.htm
https://www.visitsoutheastengland.com/places-to-visit/herstmonceux-p1272661
https://www.visiteastbourne.com/information/product-catch-all/herstmonceux-p1238741
https://www.visit1066country.com/destinations/herstmonceux
https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/photo/brick-herstmonceux-castle-royalty-free-image/532171880