On 8 January, 2009, following a period of hard frosts, a shallow circular depression was reported to have appeared adjacent to the path by the washmills

Initial inspection showed this to be approximately 4'6" in diameter, partially under the path, with at least two courses of bricks at the top end and these partially covered in a cement capping

Suspecting this to be a forgotten well, an attempt was made to probe through the detritus 'plug' using a 5' steel spike. This easily disappeared 4' into the ground

As this was now a potential Health & Safety hazard, it was immediately reported to the Council and FoB requested assistance from the Kent Underground Research Group (KURG), a voluntary group providing expert advice and assistance on all things subterranean

Subsequent probing with a longer probe seems to indicate a hard surface approximately 1.7m below ground level. This may be the bottom of the shaft, but it could also be the top of a 'plug' which was used to seal the well

It is FoB's belief that this is the source of water which was used in the washmills and that the pump, which has now been recovered from one of the washmills, was mounted on block 'F' (see plan of washmills ) to draw the water

In the immediate future the well is due to be partially excavated, to enable a better investigation to be carried out by KURG, and then temporarily sealed to make it safe. If it is viable to do so, a full scale excavation and investigation will be undertaken when funds can be made available

The shape of the well can just be made out in this picture

The light patch is some of the remaining cement capping

The circular depression of the well can be seen approximately in the middle of the picture

The main path from the lower Rainham Road runs from top left to bottom centre

The safety railings around the washmills can be seen at the top of the picture

The concrete block towards the top right is where we believe the pump was mounted. The mounting bolts can still be seen

On Monday 23 February, 2008, council contractors arrived to partially excavate the well in order to investigate whether a full excavation could, or should, be undertaken and ascertain the best way of making the well safe whilst still allowing for subsequent work to be carried out to put it on public display

A large, and obviously very heavy, block of concrete was discovered only a few inches below the surface. This had a couple of rusty bolts embedded in it, so was obviously part of the structure of the washmill complex which had been tipped into the well when it was originally sealed off.

The presence of this block so close to the surface indicated that the well had been completely filled from the moment it was abandoned and it was therefore unlikely that full excavation would reveal anything of interest

The water surface was not far down the well although, surprisingly, it was still below the water level in the adjacent washmill.

At the time the well was being excavated the water table was the highest it had been for a couple of years, with the main lake having flooded into a large area of the willow carr

With the water level as high as it was, it proved impossible to excavate the well any deeper, but probing with a steel spike showed no bottom at approximately 8ft (2.4m)

It is unlikely that the well would have been deeper than 30 ft (9.2m) as the type of pump which we believe was used cannot lift water higher than 32ft (9.75m)

In this picture the cement coping and the top layer of bricks has been removed preparatory to capping the well

The well has also been refilled with earth and concrete in order to help equalise the pressure on the brickwork.

The well has now been backfilled, capped with concrete and re-covered with soil

The intention is that, once funds can be obtained, the existing safety fence around the washmills will be extended to include the area of the well. The well will then be uncovered, the top layer of bricks and the cement coping replaced. A metal grill will be positioned over the well to prevent items being thrown down