Moore Memorial Fountain

The Moore Memorial Fountain is a drinking fountain memorial located in the centre of Wigton Market Place. It was designed by J.T. Knowles and constructed between 1872 and 1873, featuring panels by Thomas Woolner. The fountain is inscribed with the dedication: "THIS MEMORIAL WAS ERECTED BY GEORGE MOORE OF WHITEHALL, HIGH SHERIFF OF CUMBERLAND AD 1872, IN LOVING MEMORY OF HIS WIFE, ELIZA, WHO DIED ON THE 4TH OF DECEMBER, 1858."

It is made of polished Shap granite and includes aluminium bronze panels with gilt decoration. The fountain has a square base with projecting fountain bowls on each face, a stepped plinth, and a square shaft. Each face of the shaft features a panel representing the Acts of Mercy, consisting of 340 separate castings produced by Messrs Hardman of Birmingham based on designs by Woolner.

The fountain is topped with an egg and tongue decorated cornice, under which are four pediments that enclose medallion busts of Mrs. Moore, also created by Woolner. The structure culminates in a pyramid spire adorned with angle decorations and each face is cut away in a foliated gilded pattern, topped with a gilded bronze finial in the shape of a ball and cross. The total cost of the fountain was £12,000. For further historical context, see T.W. Carrick's "History of Wigton," published in 1949, pages 161-163.