Whittlsea Mere
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Whittlesey Mere was once the largest freshwater lake in lowland britain covering upwards of 2,000 acres of low lying peat fen in the old country of Huntingdonshire.
The poet John Clare used to walk all the way from his home in Helpston to Whittlesey Mere just to admire the many species of ferns. On 25th March, 1825, he wrote to his friend Mr Henderson of Milton hall:
‘We have many famous ferns. There is a beautiful one called ‘lady fern’ growing among the boggy spots of whittlsea mere and a dwarf willow grows there about a foot high, which it never exceeds. It is also a place very common for the cranberry that trails by the brink of the Mere. …’
PICTURE OF FERNS
Yaxley stone mill,
Glatton's round hill,
And Whittlesey Mere
Are the three wonders of Huntingdonshire
(J.M. Heathcote, 1835-6)
The mere was drained in 1851 for agriculture by a centrifugal Appold pump, which could discharge 16,000 gallons of water a minute into the Old Nene.
Crowds of people came to watch the operation, many of which brought sacks and baskets to collect the fish left floundering in the mud of the Mere.
Tons of Pike
Perch
and Eels were lifted in nets by men wearing boards strapped to their feet to prevent them sinking.
Many thousands of bream, chub and roach were left to rot.
Also discovered:
a sliver sense and incense boat belonging to Ramsey Abbey.
shells
skulls of a wolf and wild board
fossilised skeleton of a grampus
compacted leaves
a quantatity of nuts
It was an extravagant affair which began with melons and port wine. Then came venison, pasties, rounds of beef, legs and shoulders of mutton, ducks and chickens, apples, cakes and tarts, and more wine.’
Whittlesey Mere Picnics
See proudly floats our flag on high,
O'er wastes by history renowned.
All Hail! The Mere at length is dry
Success had perseverance crowned.
(This was displayed on the flag that was flown when the Mere was drained)
The last of the great inland lakes - Whittlesey Mere between Ramsey and Peterborough
Draining
Stock image
turf powered pump