Drinking Fountain At Entrance To Spithead Hotel

The drinking fountain at the entrance to the Spithead Hotel was erected in 1910 in memory of Reverend James Nelson Palmer, who was the Rector of Yaverland. It is constructed from stone and granite and features a disused iron lamp standard above. This impressive structure consists of three stages, with a square shaft and cruciform arms, topped by a gadrooned dome and an ornate iron lamp standard.

The lowest stage has stone arms supported by carved brackets, which enclose either a circular carved drinking fountain or a quarter-circle animal trough. The second stage includes moulded panels and round-headed drinking fountains on two faces, with inscriptions on the other two. The granite console brackets are highly decorative, featuring vertically set arms with half-anthemion designs. The top stage has moulded panels beneath the dome, and the carved arms display Masonic emblems, including the Star of David and other symbols.

One inscription honors Reverend Palmer, detailing his achievements and contributions, including his roles as Past Grand Chaplain of England United Grand Lodge of Freemasons and Honorary Secretary of the Lifeboat Institution in Bembridge. The opposite side of the fountain bears an inscription noting that it was unveiled by the Right Honourable Lord Alverstone, Lord Chief Justice of England, on August 11, 1910, to commemorate Reverend Palmer, who was born on July 12, 1832, and passed away in Bembridge on September 7, 1902.