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Heatwave Shrinks Historic Crammer Pond to a 'Big Puddle'
4 Aug
Summary
- The 300-year-old Crammer pond in Devizes has dried up due to unprecedented temperatures.
- Residents describe the pond's current state as reduced to a 'big puddle'.
- The pond lacks a natural water source, relying solely on rainfall.
The Crammer, a 300-year-old pond in Devizes, Wiltshire, has reached critically low water levels, resembling its state during the 1976 drought. Unprecedented high temperatures have transformed the beloved landmark, famous for its connection to the Moonrakers legend, into what locals now call a 'big puddle.'
This historical pond has no natural water source, depending entirely on rainfall. While past efforts by fire teams to replenish it are now focused on wildfires, residents express deep sadness. Councillor Iain Wallis notes that while the pond has historically recovered, the current situation is concerning.
July 2026 was recorded as the driest July since records began, with exceptional warmth across the UK, making it the second warmest July overall. The town council acknowledges the need to address the pond's future, recognizing that hotter summers are likely and that solutions will incur costs.
