material from Barrow upon Soar Parish Magazine
January 1890
(following a review of 1889) The dark side of the year’s history has yet to be told. In the month of June typhoid fever broke out in some cottages in the Sileby Road, and the village is not yet free of the disease. The Rural Sanitary Authority have been active in removing nuisances, and in calling on owners of cottages to put them in a proper condition. Many wells were examined, and in all cases it has been found that the water is either unfit for use, or only just within the allowable limits. As reported in the last edition of the Magazine, a conference of residents requested the Authority to take immediate steps for obtaining a proper water supply. We are glad to say that on the motion of Mr. Goodacre it has been unanimously resolved it has been unanimously resolved to ask the advice of Mr. George Hodson, of Loughborough, and that on the motion of the Chairman a Committee has been appointed to examine the question and report to the Board. The Committee consists of Mr. Burgess, Mr. Goodacre, Mr. J. Johnson, Mr.Kirkby, Mr. W. Martin, Mr. Smith, Mr. C.S. Thomson, and the Vicar (Rev’d. F.D. Thomson).
The deaths from typhoid have been seven, and the Vicar lost from diphtheria his third son. The Vicar takes this opportunity takes this opportunity of expressing the gratitude, which he and his wife feel, for the many tokens of sympathy, shown by Churchmen and Non-conformists alike, in their trouble. She on whom the blow fell heaviest feels that this will always make Barrow dear to her.
April 1890
The Health of Barrow in 1889 – The medical officer (Dr. Turner) reports as follows on the health of the Barrow Division of the Union, which, it must be remembered, includes the large village of Sileby. “The birth-rate was 37 per 1000; the death rate,22; the infant mortality, 175 per 1000 of the births. The number of deaths from infectious diseases was 25; out of these, 23 occurred in Barrow and Sileby. Six of the deaths caused by typhoid fever occurred in Barrow and the other two in Sileby. The presence of this disease was the cause of the increase in the death-rate. In Barrow, 15 infants under one year, died during the year, out of a total of 56 deaths in all ages. The infant mortality is extremely high. In Barrow, 45 cases of typhoid fever occurred, 6 of which proved fatal. The cause of the continuance of the fever was: - (1) the early pollution of the drinking water; (2), the pollution of the sub-soil; (3), the filthy conditions of the yards, privies and ash-pits; (4), neglect in regard to the use of disinfectants in privies. Twenty-two samples of water were analysed from different wells in the village, and of these, 13 were condemned as unfit for use.
The system of scavenging has been adopted which will prove of great benefit to the village. The necessity for supplying water from an extraneous source has been seen, and the scheme will, I trust, soon be adopted.
Then, with a good supply of water, a system of scavenging, good drainage, a different outfall for the sewage other than into the river, Barrow will, I trust, become free from the danger of typhoid fever.”
May 1890
Water Supply – At last there is a reasonable prospect of our being able to obtain a supply of pure water for our families. The Leicester Corporation have inserted a clause in their Bill now before Parliament, binding themselves to lay on a supply to the village within twelve months of the passing of the Bill. The Parochial Committee have reported in favour of an arrangement with the Leicester Corporation, and the Rural Sanitary authority have unanimously adopted the recommendation. It is to be hoped that, taking warning from the experience of last year, great care will be taken not to use for drinking purposes any wells that have been condemned, even though it may entail inconvenience and expense in fetching water from a distance. When pure water, domestic cleanliness, well flushed drains, and an unpolluted river have been secured, we may hope that Barrow will be as healthy as its favourable situation would lead one to expect. Unhappily, six cases of typhoid fever have occurred this month, and the patients have been removed to Leicester, where they could be better nursed.
June 1891
The Waterworks – The arrangements for supplying Barrow with pure water are nearly completed. Tanks have been fixed, a pumping engine has been erected, and the filtering beds are being completed.
July 1891
The Waterworks – The streets have presented a busy scene during the laying of the mains of the new water supply. Probably by the time this Magazine appears the work will have been completed throughout the village. It will be remembered that although many years ago the need of a supply of pure water, independent of all wells, which are continually liable to pollution, had been pointed out by Government Inspectors and Medical Officers, it was the serious outbreak of typhoid fever in 1889 which forced the subject upon public attention, and brought pressure to bear upon the Local Sanitary Authorities. The Sanitary Authority appointed a Parochial Committee to consider the best means of obtaining a water supply, and on the recommendation of that Committee an agreement was made with the Leicester Corporation whereby the Corporation undertook to supply water to Barrow on the same terms as to Leicester, and to bear the whole cost of laying the mains through the village. The water is already laid on and is therefore available for flushing the drains or in case of fire. Unlike most necessary improvements this great work has been effected at absolutely no expense to the rate-payers of the parish. Now that the Soar is being purified from the Leicester drainage only two important sanitary works remain, the diversion of the village sewage from the present outlet, and the closing of the overcrowded Churchyard.
January 1893
Sewage Disposal – The Rural Sanitary Authority have determined to cease polluting the river with the village drainage. A Parochial Committee has been appointed to recommend a competent engineer to carry out the work. The Committee have recommended that Mr. J.B. Everard, of Leicester, in consultation with the Committee, prepare plans for the work.
April 1893
The Churchyard – Dr. Hoffman, the Official Inspector from the Home Office, paid a visit of inspection on the 9th of March. He decided that the Churchyard would have to be closed with certain exceptions after April 30th 1894. A Vestry Meeting was accordingly summoned by the Vicar and Parish Officers, and a resolution was passed that a Burial Ground should be provided for the Parish under the Burial acts. A Burial Board will have to be appointed to carry out the resolution.
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