Taming the Wild: An Engineer's Perspective on the Isle of Axholme

The Isle of Axholme, a unique region in Lincolnshire, was once a vast, watery expanse. Since Roman times, humans have battled to tame this wild landscape, transforming it into the fertile farmland we know today.

This talk delves into the fascinating history of drainage engineering in the region. We'll explore how, particularly during the 17th century under the guidance of Dutch engineer Cornelius Vermuyden, significant strides were made to drain the marshland. The legacy of Vermuyden and subsequent engineering giants like Smeaton and Rennie will be examined, highlighting their innovative approaches to further develop and refine the drainage system.

Join us as we take an engineer's eye view of this remarkable human achievement.