Drinking fountain on the south side of St Laurence’s Church tower, facing south towards Market Place

Drinking fountain. Built in 1860 to the design of the architects William Ford Poulton and William Henry Woodman abutting the south elevation of St Laurence’s Church tower.

MATERIALS: constructed of limestone with granite piers.

DESCRIPTION: the fountain has a broad limestone base carved with two trefoil-arched dog drinking basins flanking a miniature foliate column at its centre. On top of the column is an irregular hexagonal drinking basin surmounted by a large gothic gable with crockets on both its pitches, foliate ornament beneath its east and west eaves, and a small crocketed finial or fleche at its apex. The end of the gable contains a relief carving of a deer. Over the basin is a large trefoil arch with projecting hood, upheld by miniature flanking granite columns with foliate capitals. Recessed into the arch is a decorative panel with lotus ornament.