Dear Editor,

In response to the letter in last week's Ross Gazette, entitled 'Antique Water Pump'.

Mr Kell was a farmer with engineering ambitions. Kells Foundry started at Brookend near Millpond, now Fiveways, around 1835 and by 1856 had opened new premises in Gloucester, manufacturing agricultural equipment.

Ross has been the base for several casting companies. Perkins and Belamy, at the Crofts, Blake Brothers. With a retail shop in Station Street, now a tool hire store, Kells and Nichols names can still be seen at street level on cast iron drains etc.

Foundries would often badge equipment with the retailer's name in the casting, perhaps this would explain the Smith and Watson Ironmongery Stores logo on the pump.

Woodview, at Great Doward, has a vintage collection of tools and memorabilia and is open for NGS charities on July 12th and July 19th.

Janet and Clive Townsend