Drinking Fountain

An ornate, free-standing, cast-iron drinking fountain, dated 1894, by Walter MacFarlane and Sons.

MATERIALS: cast-iron and granite.

PLAN: the fountain stands on a cross-plan masonry plinth on a round base.

DESCRIPTION: the fountain stands about 3.3m high, comprising a statue of Samson on top of a pillar with capital and base; the pillar is ornately decorated with olive tree motifs. The pillar is above four quatrefoil basins which are supported by jambs in the form of lions. An ornamental shield is set on the pillar and commemorates the donor of the fountain with the inscription ‘PRESENTED/ BY/ JOHN BRYAN ESQ/ 26 OCT/ 1894’. The statue and fountain both retain their original overall form, with the exception of the loss of the chained drinking cups which hung previously from consoles (which do remain) set above the water basins.

A brass plaque fixed to the plinth of the fountain is inscribed:

‘THIS FORMER DRINKING FOUNTAIN HAS BEEN RESTORED WITH THE AID OF FUNDS / RAISED BY THE Victorian Restoration Committee:

Sylvia McQuade (Hon. Secretary), Thomas J. Hawthorn (Hon. Treasurer) /

Joanne M. Chatwin, David Chatwin, DUNCAN MCQUADE (COMMITTEE MEMBERS) /

VOLUNTARY RESTORATION WORKS WERE CARRIED OUT BY TIMSONS LTD., ENGINEERS / & IRONFOUNDERS, EDWARD CHENAY & SONS LTD., PAUL WEBSTER (BUILDERS) / SIR ROBERT MCALPINE & SONS LTD, GEORGE JAMES & SONS LTD. George James & Sons (Blacksmith) Ld. /

THE FUND WAS LAUNCHED FROM THE PROCEEDS OF AN AUCTION BY Martin / Pendered (Auctioneer) OF A WATER COLOUR ‘the fountain’ DONATED BY / Pauline & Ralph Hartley. THE FUND WAS SUPPORTED BY THE PUBLICATION /AND SALE OF A BOOK ‘Poetry and Prose from Kettering and parts of the County of Northamptonshire'. Reinstatement of the Fountain was carried out by the Kettering Borough Council with the co-operation of the Restoration Committee, Mayor J.B. Poole 1984-1985’.

This list entry was subject to a Minor Amendment on 10 November 2020.