I’m not sure how coincidental the timing is, but the chaps were back today replacing the missing pieces of the water fountain. My knowledge of the history of the fountain needs refreshing but I think the water fountain was installed as a memorial to Queen Victoria who died in January 1901.
The fountain was originally made by Walter Macfarlane & Co, Glasgow and you can read more about the rich heritage of the company here and here.
Having been neglected for far too long, the fountain was removed for restoration back in 2008. It returned in October of the same year, much improved with a fancy new colour scheme. Then, taking many locals by surprise, including me, some of it disappeared again last November – with some us speculating that the centre piece has been taken for scrap value. And today it’s back to former glories with all the missing pieces back in place, including a swan. The fountain is Grade II Listed and has seen different colour schemes over the years including black/yellow and polar blue. The fountain will need ongoing maintenance as it starts to show signs of rust a while after being painted.
You can’t drink from it I’m afraid. Though I know that there’s a water pipe with a brass stop-end on it buried underneath the plinth.
More (large) photos:
Thank God the fountain wasn’t stolen.
Nice to see the old fountain so well restored. I remember it from 40 years ago, in its blue era, but it had had so many coats of paint over the years, the detail was not visible!
Really please to see the fountain back, shame you can’t drink from it though. Many thanks for sharing this good news.
It worked OK in the 1950s / 60s