They were once the centre of village life before the days of running water.

Families pumped water to cook, clean and fill their bath tubs, while a visit to the parish pump might also yield the latest news of goings-on or gossip.

But the old hand pump at New Buckenham, near Attleborough, which dated back to the 17th century, fell out of use after water arrived on tap in Victorian times.

Eastern Daily Press: The New Buckenham pump in the early 20th CenturyThe New Buckenham pump in the early 20th Century (Image: New Buckenham Society)It was later padlocked over fears the well which fed it had become contaminated.

The apparatus on Chapel Hill survived until last year, when its oak post finally succumbed to old age and keeled over.

The High Bailiff’s Trust, which looks after village monuments including the Market Cross and church clock, stepped in.

Eastern Daily Press: The pump is installed by Lewis McAllister and Aston Stolworthy from Panks.The pump is installed by Lewis McAllister and Aston Stolworthy from Panks. (Image: Sonya Duncan)It raised £1,500 to install a replacement with help from the New Buckenham Fundraisers, who organise village fetes and art exhibitions.

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The new pump has now been installed on its 9m-deep brick-lined well - although people are being recommended not to drink the water until it has been tested.

Peter Casson, chairman of the High Bailiff's Trust, said: "There used to be two pumps in the village.

Eastern Daily Press: From left Peter Casson, chairman of the High Bailiff Trust, trustee Don Crossman and Breckland councillor Karen Hobley with the new pump at New BuckenhamFrom left Peter Casson, chairman of the High Bailiff Trust, trustee Don Crossman and Breckland councillor Karen Hobley with the new pump at New Buckenham (Image: Sonya Duncan)"One was on the village green, that has now disappeared under a bus stop.

"This one remained because it was off the road. When its wooden post collapsed, we decided we'd got to do something about it."

After a few teething troubles, the pump made by Panks of Norwich, was raising water from the well for the first time in decades.

Eastern Daily Press: The new pump on Chapel Hill, at New BuckenhamThe new pump on Chapel Hill, at New Buckenham (Image: Sonya Duncan)

"It didn't look very drinkable," Mr Casson admitted. "But it may well be because we're pumping from the bottom of the well and picking up some sediment."

Warning signs have been erected pending tests on the water. So village gossips may need to quench their thirst for news elsewhere for now.