In the centre of Deddington's Market Place is a village green and there has been much debate about a supply of water under the green. A pond is mentioned in The Oxford Chronicle and Reading Gazette on Saturday 11 April 1857.  

DEDDINGTON - ACCIDENT

On Wednesday morning last an accident occurred in this town which very nearly terminated fatally. In the centre of the market place is a pond with water, about 4 feet deep, and a child, playing round it, fell in, and had it not been for the immediate and praiseworthy exertions of Mr. Henry Mullis, saddler, whose workshop faces the pond, and who jumped in and rescued the child, another minute would have proved fatal. This is not the only case of the kind ; several times before has this young man rescued children from this same pond, at the small remuneration of, perhaps, not even a ''thank you” from the parents. In fact the pond is a public nuisance, as well as being eminently dangerous, and yet, with these facts continually occurring, the wiseacres of this town neglect, or refuse, to have it covered in by a reservoir made to contain water in case of fire. In addition to this, the stench that arises from this nearly stagnant water in the summer, and the refuse matter of every description thrown in must be seriously detrimental to the public health.