The
Blue
Lagoon
Words by Karl Franklin
Main image Steve Maddox
Blue Lagoon frozen over in 1949. Photo taken by Duncan Cree.
Photo belongs to Valerie Smith (pictured top left) also in the photo top row
Dulcie Bowskill, Grace Legate. Supplied by Chris Dainton.
T
he Blue Lagoon or “The big pit” as it is also locally known is situated
at the southern end of Arlesey, The pit is around 19 acres in size with
depths of over 40 feet. It has a chequered history including tragedy at various times over the years.
Digging of the pit began in around 1901 for the precious clay which was
used to make “Arlesey white” bricks.
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April 2013
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By 1925 the steam pump used to get the water out as the pit was dug was
coming to the end of its life so, rather than carry out repairs it was left where
it stood. By 1930 the pit was closed as a clay workings.
Local myth and legend suggests the pit filled up overnight leaving the
machinery/equipment at the bottom which of course is utter nonsense. The
truth is the workings had had its day and the gear was simply uneconomical
to get out so it was left there to be engulfed by the water. There are sheds
down under the water along with rail lines, ”hoppers” and various other
items left behind by the brick company. You couldn’t imagine the same thing
happening today.
For many years the “crane” was sticking out of the water in the
southeastern corner, many of the local swimmers used to climb on it to dive
off. In 1977 the crane, which was actually a steam shovel, was salvaged
from the water and with the help of Anglia televisions’ “Bygones” was
restored to working order, sadly during its first boiler test the boiler cracked
and the machine ended up in a museum in Lincolnshire. It has since bee