A Cannock charity, founded 1736
From bringing clean water
to helping good causes.
For almost three centuries, the Cannock Conduit Trust has cared for the wellbeing of our town and the people who call it home.
The story behind a local landmark
Have you ever wondered what that funny hexagonal building is?
Just above the bowling green in Cannock town centre stands the Conduit Head — a small building with a remarkable place in the town’s history.
Back in 1735, Cannock was a village of approximately 91 households and 365 people. Water came only from natural springs and streams. It was often said that, during the summer months, there was more beer in the village than water.
A group of influential local people, led by Dr William Byrche, set out to change that. They raised money to lay a conduit from a natural spring in Stringers Meadow, Rumer Hill, bringing a constant supply of fresh water into the village for everyone.
Nearly 300 years of care
Water for a growing town
Generosity turned a practical idea into a lasting legacy.
- 1735
A village in need
Cannock’s only water came from springs and streams.
- 1736
The Trust begins
Local donations created the Conduit Fund and the first trustees were appointed.
- 1828
Six public pumps
As the village became a town, free water was available from six pumps across Cannock.
- Today
A living legacy
The water no longer flows, but the Trust’s care for Cannock continues.
The plaque on the Conduit Head
A gift to the whole community
Care, concern and clean water
Donations were made by all who could afford it. The water flowed into the Conduit Head, which originally had a pump on its left-hand side, before serving pumps positioned around the town.
The generosity and foresight of the original trustees gave Cannock reliable drinking water — helping to limit illness and death among local people.
“A public subscription for bringing a water supply to the Township of Cannock.”
The Trust today
The water no longer flows.
The generosity still does.
Today, the trustees continue that tradition of care by making grants to groups and good causes in Cannock — helping projects that benefit the local community.
There are criteria for grant applications, but the trustees will consider every application that meets them.
View grant information