Edzell Drinking Fountain

Location: Edzell, Angus, Scotland

A drinking fountain was erected in 1898 in an open area not far from the Panmure Hotel. The fountain, a modification of drinking fountain number 28 with basin number 39, was a design by George Smith & Co. manufactured by the Sun Foundry.

The round based fountain, which supported a large basin and offered a trough for small animals at ground level, was seated on a circular plinth. A multi-tiered central column decorated with fret detail was flanked by two young boys holding upturned urns from which water poured. The figurines stood on a short pedestal that contained a button to release a flow of water from the urns. Four metal cups supported on chains hung from each of the horizontal consoles on the central column. Four entwined dolphins (symbolizing guardians of all things water related) encircled the column as it narrowed to the orb finial.

The bowl was broken and/or vandalised, and the figurines lost to history. The only remaining part of the fountain is the original terminal which contains the entwined dolphins and orb apex. It has been mounted on a concrete pedestal with two basins and bubbler spigots. It remains in its original location on the north west corner of Edzell Muir off B966. It was recently refurbished.

Source: Facebook

Source: Facebook/Brechinmemories

Source: Facebook/Edzellvillage

Panmure Hotel in background

Creative Commons License, Stanley Howe. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4564886

Creative Commons License, James Allan. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/3737448

Glossary:

• Bubbler, a fountain with a tap which ejects a stream of water
• Console, a decorative bracket support element
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Fret
• Pedestal, an architectural support for a column or statue
• Plinth, flat base usually projecting, upon which a pedestal, wall or column rests.
• Spigot, a device that controls the flow of liquid
• Terminal, statue or ornament that stands on a pedestal

 

Alexander Hamilton Memorial Fountain

Location: Chaine Memorial Road, Larne, Co Antrim, Ireland

Alexander Hamilton was born in 1824.He lived on Bridge Street in Larne with his wife, three sons and a daughter. As a highly respected grocer and hardware merchant in the community, he was elected to represent ratepayers at the Larne Union Poor Law Board and the Board of Larne Town Commissioners. He was a staunch Conservative and a member of the Loyal Orange Institution in Larne advancing within the membership to become the Deputy Master of the District Lodge of Co. Antrim.

He died on 9 April 1981 at the residence of his son-in-law, R. B. Kennedy. His funeral was well attended with a procession half a mile long. He was buried on 11 April 1891 in Glynn Church Yard, Larne, Ireland.

A drinking fountain was erected in his memory. A dedication plaque on the southern side reads :Erected / By Orangemen And Others / Sympathizing Friends / To The Memory Of / Alexr Hamilton / Of Larne / Who Died 9th April 1891 / Aged 67 Years / James N Mccalmont MP DL / A Boyd Secretary / J Fullerton Treasurer.

The fountain located at Sandy Bay is a customization of number 13 by George Smith’s Sun Foundry. Seated on a two tiered octagonal plinth, the base is in the form of a compass cross with canted corners. It has a central pedestal and four columns decorated with diamond frieze and nail head molding which support the font. The large basin has nail head relief on the rim and is partitioned by four foliate brackets from which cups were suspended on chains. Shell motif spouts on each side released water flow. The fountain differs slightly from the original design with an elongated column to host the dedication plaque. The structure is surmounted with a banded orb finial.

Creative Commons License, Kenneth Allen. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Chaine_Memorial#/media/File:Memorial_statue,_Larne_-_geograph.org.uk_-_149029.jpg

Creative Commons License, Albert Bridge. Source: http://www.geograph.ie/photo/620942

Creative Commons License, Albert Bridge. Source: http://www.geograph.ie/photo/2295395

Creative Commons License, Albert Bridge. Source: http://www.geograph.ie/photo/2295373

Creative Commons License, Albert Bridge. Source: http://www.geograph.ie/photo/2295413

Glossary:

• Canted corner, an angled surface which cuts of a corner
• Compass cross, a cross of equal vertical and horizontal lengths, concentric with and overlaying a circle.
• Finial, a sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Foliate, decorated with leaves or leaf like motif
• Frieze, the horizontal part of a classical moulding just below the cornice, often decorated with carvings
• Plinth, flat base usually projecting, upon which a pedestal, wall or column rests.

 

Jubilee Fountain and Lamp Standard

Location: Poynton, Cheshire, England

The drinking fountain erected in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee was located at the crossroads of London Road, Cheshire Road and Park Lane when Poynton was merely a hamlet.

The fountain is a modification of number 175, manufactured by the Sun Foundry of Glasgow. The moulded horse troughs in the base are not part of the original design and were manufactured by Wilson and Co., Manchester.

The pedestal with chamfered edge hosts four panels. On three sides a compass cross contains a lion mascaron with self-closing tap from which water spouted into small basins. Drinking water was captured in metal cups suspended on chains. Overflow water which drained into demi-lune troughs for horses also fed small troughs at ground level for dogs.

The fourth panel is inscribed with the dedication: 1837 Erected 1937 / By The / Inhabitants Of / Poynton / In Commemoration / Of The / Diamond Jubilee / Of / Queen Victoria.

A frieze of acanthus leaves is situated beneath the capital upon which there is a lamp standard with four decorative feet in the form of scrolls. The pedestal, also originally used as a guide post with four directional plates, has a bulbous base with bas-relief extending into a fluted column with bands. A two tiered acroter supports a candelabrum of four glass lanterns with elaborate consoles. These lamps offered the first street lighting in the village.

The fountain was registered as a Grade II listed building on 17 November 1983. Listed Building Consent was received to relocate the fountain, and after restoration it was relocated to Park Lane in 2011.

Circa 1950s. Directional signs visible on pillar

Used with permission. Source: http://www.calibremetalwork.co.uk/projects/jubilee-drinking-fountain-poynton

Creative Commons License, Mike Kirby. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1472744

Creative Commons License, Mike Kirby. Source: http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1472748.jpg

Used with permission. Source: http://www.calibremetalwork.co.uk/projects/jubilee-drinking-fountain-poynton

New location in Park Lane. Source: http://www.civicr.com/photos/park-lane-poynton-p954.html

Used with permission. Source: http://www.calibremetalwork.co.uk/projects/jubilee-drinking-fountain-poynton

Glossary:

• Acanthus, one of the most common plant forms (deeply cut leaves) to make foliage ornament and decoration
• Acroter, flat base
• Bas-relief, sculpted material that has been raised from the background to create a slight projection from the surface
• Capital, the top of a column that supports the load bearing down on it
• Chamfer, a beveled edge
• Compass cross, a cross of equal vertical and horizontal lengths, concentric with and overlaying a circle.
• Console, a decorative bracket support element
• Demi-lune, half moon or crescent shape
• Frieze, the horizontal part of a classical moulding just below the cornice, often decorated with carvings
• Mascaron, a decorative element in the form of a sculpted face or head of a human being or an animal
• Pedestal, an architectural support for a column or statue

 

 

Barrhead Co-operative Society Fountains

Location: Barrhead, Renfrewshire, Scotland

In 1896 the Barrhead Co-operative Society celebrated thirty five years in operation. In appreciation, three drinking fountains were purchased. On 13th March 1897 two fountains were erected in Barrhead presented by the President of the Society. The third fountain was presented by the Vice President to the parish of Neilston on 8th May 1897.

Currently there is a cast iron canopy at the gatehouse entrance to Cowan Park in Barrhead. As the park did not open until 1911 this is not the original location. I have been unable to find the original locations in Barrhead. However, an ordnance survey shows a drinking fountain located near the turning circle of Neilston Cemetery on the 1913 and 1947 maps.

Used with permission. Source: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/83952555

Used with permission. Source: http://www.panoramio.com/photo/911171

Cowan Park, Barrhead

The drinking fountain in Neilston was erected on Main Street.

Neilston early 19th century

Neilston Main Street. Source: http://www.electricscotland.com/business/coop/chapter05.htm

Neilston Main Street. Source: http://tour-scotland-photographs.blogspot.ca/2013/07/old-photograph-neilston-scotland.html

Drinking fountain number 3 from George Smith & Co.’s Sun Foundry is 9 feet 10 inches high. The structure consists of four columns with obelisk finials rising from a double plinth to support a domed canopy. The interior column connectors to the dome are adorned with descending alligators and leafy decoration. Alligators were considered a symbol of evil and were hung from the ceilings of cabinets as a reminder of the mortality of humanity.

Arch faceplates with drip fret detail offer a flat surface for inscriptions in raised metal letters; civic virtues such as temperance were extolled on many drinking fountains. Over each arch, cartouches within each lunette offer commemorative dedication or crests. Presented / To The / Commissioners Of / The Burgh Of / Barrhead / By The Barrhead / Co-Operative / Society Ltd. / 13^th March 1897. A second lunette contains the image of a robed woman holding scales and a sword – representing justice and equality. She is encapsulated by the legend, The Barrhead Co-operative Society Limited.

Although unable to find photos of the original fountains in Barrhead, it is to be assumed that the drinking fountain in Neilston was of the same design, having been commissioned at the same time. The solid dome originally supported a lamp finial and covered the fluted pedestal and wide basin containing a putto holding an oar, seated on an upturned urn (casting number 8). A tap was fitted to the urn, and at the base of the pedestal was housed a small trough for dogs.

Glossary:

• Cartouche, a structure or figure, often in the shape of an oval shield or oblong scroll, used as an architectural or graphic ornament or to bear a design or inscription
• Lunette, the half-moon shaped space framed by an arch, often containing a window or painting
• Finial, A sculptured ornament fixed to the top of a peak, arch, gable or similar structure
• Fret, Running or repeated ornament
• Obelisk, A tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top
• Plinth, Flat base usually projecting, upon which a pedestal, wall or column rests.
• Putto, A figure in a work of art depicted as a chubby male child, usually nude