NEW RIVER RENEWAL CAMPAIGN

Sir Hugh Myddelton is still remembered in the names of streets and buildings across the English capitl, as well as schools and a Care Home.

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Myddelton is best remembered as the driving force behind the construction of the New River, an ambitious engineering project to bring clean water from the River Lea, near Ware, in Hertfordshire to New River Head in Clerkenwell, London.

 

After the initial project encountered financial difficulties, Myddelton helped fund the project through to completion, obtaining the assistance of King James I. The New River was constructed between 1608 and 1613 (being officially opened on 29 September that year), and was originally some 38 miles (60 km) long. It was not initially a financial success, and cost Myddelton substantial sums, although in 1612 he was successful in securing monetary assistance from King James I.                                                                                                        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Myddelton