WaterAid supporters held an exhibition on the history of living without piped water in Royston last week.

The display at Royston & District Heritage Fair focused on experiences in Royston, Ashwell, Barley, Bassingbourn, Foxton, Guilden Morden, Melbourn, Reed and Therfield.

Hugh Pollock and Chris Bow spent months researching materials held in Royston Library, Royston’s district museum and Cambridge Central Library – drawing on maps, photographs, published accounts and extracts from tape-recorded oral histories.

Mr Pollock said: “It was a pleasure to meet the chairman of Herts County Council, who recalled his own experiences growing up before piped water became a reality for all in Royston and surrounding villages.

“He understood our message that many people in many communities across the world still live today without access to clean, safe or piped water. This is what WaterAid seeks to provide in very difficult circumstances.”

For more on WaterAid go to www.wateraid.org/uk/.