Sandfields Pumping Station to Celebrate Prestigious IMechE Engineering Heritage Award with Special Event

Lichfield, Staffordshire — 1st October 2025 — Sandfields Pumping Station, one of the Midlands’ most important Victorian waterworks, will host a special celebration on Saturday 18th October 2025 to mark the presentation of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) Engineering Heritage Award.

The highlight of the day will be the unveiling of an official IMechE Engineering Heritage Award plaque, recognising the site’s historic contribution to engineering and public health.

Built in 1855 by the South Staffordshire Waterworks Company, Sandfields Pumping Station was central to the fight against cholera in the Black Country by supplying safe, clean drinking water to rapidly growing industrial communities. Its Cornish beam engine was one of the most advanced of its time, representing a milestone in Victorian engineering and public health reform.

The Engineering Heritage Award, established by IMechE in 1984, honours engineering achievements that have had a significant impact on society. Sandfields Pumping Station now joins a distinguished group of recipients, including Concorde, the Bletchley Park Bombe machines, and the Thames Barrier.

The award ceremony will be attended by representatives from IMechE, local dignitaries, and volunteers from the Lichfield Waterworks Trust, who have worked tirelessly to preserve the Grade II* listed building for future generations.

Katy Shore-Kapsis, Chair of the Lichfield Waterworks Trust, commented:

“This award is a huge honour for Sandfields and for everyone who has dedicated time and passion to keeping its legacy alive. The event on 18th October will be a celebration of history, engineering, and community spirit.”

Event details:

📅 Date: Saturday 18th October 2025

🕑 Time: 2pm – 4pm

📍 Location: Sandfields Pumping Station, Chesterfield Road, Lichfield, WS14 0AA

🎉 Highlights: Plaque unveiling, guided tour, heritage talk, and refreshments