Shrewsbury Pumping Station

"The Music Of Machinery: Volume One Shrewsbury Pumping Station" was a 7" released in 1968 on the Big Ben label. The single comprises field recordings made at a steam-powered Victorian sewage pumping station in the Coleham district of Shrewsbury. As the record sleeve explains, one side captures the sounds of the engine room while the flip documents the ambience of the building's cellar. It is not clear if there was ever a volume two in the series.

According to wikipedia, the steam-powered pumps were used until 1970 when they were replaced by electric versions. Subsequently the steam pumps have been restored to full working use and the building now operates as a museum.

Links To Peel
The 7" was one of those novelties / curiosities that Peel liked to play from time to time, if only perhaps to demonstrate that the recording actually existed.

"One or two people have doubted its existence... It is an intensely moving record." (John Peel, 31 May 2000)

On 30 July 2002 Peel claimed that he might play side A of the record in its entirety during his forthcoming DJ set at Fabric. It is not clear whether he actually did this.

Shows Played
The list below was researched only from the database of this site and Lorcan's Tracklistings Archive and is almost certainly incomplete. Please add further information if known.


 * 13 June 1988: In The Cellar
 * 31 May 2000: In The Cellar
 * 06 June 2000: Unknown (presumably the flip side to the one played the previous week)
 * 30 July 2002: In The Engine Room