Cattle Trough Near The Railway Bridge

785/0/10130 GREEN LANE 28-APR-06 Penge Cattle trough near the railway bridge

II Cattle trough with human drinking fountain at one end and dog trough beneath. Erected sometime after 1893. Granite. Long rectangular trough on two rectangular granite block supports. South end has an ogee-shaped granite gable, with a semi-circular bowl for a human drinking fountain attached. Beneath the cattle trough is a stone-edged dog trough set nearly flush with the pavement. The inscription on the side of the trough reads, 'BE KIND AND MERCIFUL TO ALL ANIMALS / IN MEMORY OF DAVID BENJAMIN / 1815-1893'. On the opposite end to the drinking fountain, the trough is inscribed 'METROPOLITAN / DRINKING FOUNTAIN / & CATTLE TROUGH / ASSOCIATION'. The cattle trough is now used as a planting bed.

HISTORY: The Metropolitan Drinking Association was founded in 1859 by Samuel Gurney MP. In 1867, following an increase nationally in concern for animal welfare, the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain Association began erecting water troughs for cattle. It was at this point that 'Cattle Trough' was added to its title.

SUMMARY OF IMPORTANCE: This late C19 or early C20 cattle trough, erected by the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association, is a handsome piece of street furniture which retains its three elements of cattle trough, dog trough and drinking fountain and is probably in its original location.