AN AMBITIOUS plan to bring Eton's historic stream back to life has received a £50,000 cash boost.

The stream dated back to the 1840s. Now the plan is to restore water flow after 80 years underneath Baldwin's Bridge. The water used to flow from the Thames near the Clump on the Brocas passing under the Brocas hedgerow and South Meadow Lane before becoming an open watercourse to Barnes Pool where it passed under Baldwin's Bridge and out by Fellows Eyot opposite Romney Weir.

The new restoration plan will see the water flowing again. The project is being managed by Eton Town Council and Eton Community Association - project leader is Peter Eaton..

The Royal Borough had previously donated £50,000 to the scheme but members of the ruling cabinet voted last week to make it a round £100,000. Lead member for culture and communities Cllr Samantha Rayner described the plan as a 'special project that will rejuvenate a part of Eton to its former glory and give us a glimpse once more of how it was in the past'.

The Barnes Pool area will be newly landscaped to create a peaceful area to complement the water course.

Former Bridgemaster at Barnes Pool and the mayor of Eton Cllr Derek Bishop has designed a wooden bridge which will allow people to cross to the west side and enjoy the restored view from the other side of the pool.

Ros Rivaz, chair of the Eton Community Association, said: “It is exciting hearing the older generation talk about their experiences as young children, blocking the trickle of water in the brook to catch sticklebacks. It is even more thrilling that we are recreating history that old pictures and even older paintings and maps depict.

“This additional funding will ensure we finish the project in time for residents, businesses and visitors to enjoy in the spring and summer."

The plan has attracted the support of experts including the chairman of the Grundons waste management company Norman Grundon and the Baldwin's Bridge chairman John Lovell.

Eton College pupil Tom Arovaara is designing and constructing the seating for the area as part of his A level work as schoolchildren across the area become involved.