Memorial Drinking Fountain 60 Metres North East Of The Lake

This memorial drinking fountain, dated 1893, stands 60 metres north-east of the lake in Queen’s Park, Brighton. It is constructed from grey granite for the base and pink granite for the dado and socles, with terracotta blocks and sandstone dressings. The design is a free interpretation of the Tudor style, with a square plan and 8-sided corner piers. The fountain rises in two stages, beginning with a granite base of three steps. Each corner pier is panelled and features floral tracery. Each face is dominated by a segmental arch, subordered and moulded, above which sits a sandstone acanthus cornice and flared segmental pediment. The traceried piers extend above the cornice, terminating in 8-sided, onion-domed pinnacles. A cupola of red sandstone, moulded with classical details typical of the Tudor and Elizabethan periods, rises from the centre of the roof. Originally, basins would have been set within round-arched aedicules under the segmental arches, with floral scrolls and shells filling the tympanum; these basins are now gone. Inscriptions on granite plaques, positioned above the former basin locations, acknowledge donors and officials. The south-east face lists members of the Brighton Recreation Grounds Committee, including Alderman Joseph Ewart, Mayor. The south-west face commemorates the opening of Queen's Park on 10th August 1892 by the Mayor and Mayoress, and Mr. and Miss Ewart. The north-west face notes the Council's erection of the fountain to commemorate the gift of the park by the Race Stand Trustees. Finally, the north-east face acknowledges the cost of construction (£13,500) and the contributions of various aldermen and the Trustees of Brighton Race Stand.