Location of The Pump House, Blandford Forum in Dorset
The Pump House, Blandford Forum, Dorset, England, is an 18th-century water source erected in 1760 in commemoration of a fire which almost destroyed the town in 1731. It was designed and paid for by John Bastard who, with his brother William, worked as builders and architects and were largely responsible for the town's reconstruction. The Pump House is a Grade I listed structure.
History
On 4 June 171, a fire destroyed almost the entirety of the town of Blandford Forum. Around 15 people were killed and over 90% of the town's buildings razed.[1] Rebuilding of the town was led by the Bastard brothers, John and William, who worked as builders and architects in the town.[2] John Bastard designed and paid for the monument which was erected in 1760.[a][3] It was sited above a spring, to provide a water source in the event of a further fire. This was converted to a drinking fountain in 1899.[3]
In REMEMBRANCE of God's dreadful Visitation by FIRE which broke out the 4th June 1731, and in few Hours reduced, not only the CHURCH, and almost this whole Town to Ashes wherein 14 Inhabitants perished, but also, two adjacent Villages. And, In grateful Acknowledgement of the DIVINE MERCY, that has raised this Town, like the PHAENIX from it's Ashes, to it's present beautiful and flourishing State, And to prevent by a timely Supply of Water, (with God's Blessing) the fatal Consequences of FIRE hereafter THIS MONUMENT of that dire Disaster and Provision against the like, is humbly erected by JOHN BASTARD, a considerable Sharer in the general Calamity. 1760
