Drinking fountain from 1896 restored in Croydon

3 hours ago

Olivia Demetriades & Alice Bhandhukravi

BBC News, London

The Surrey Street drinking fountain was built in 1896

Heritage of London Trust A decorative grey stone and brick drinking fountain with a black lion's head spout at its center. Behind it are historic buildings. — The Surrey Street drinking fountain was built in 1896

A Victorian drinking fountain in Croydon has been restored and reconnected to the water supply.

The public thirst-quencher, on Surrey Street, was built in 1896 and unveiled by the local mayor to mark the completion of a redevelopment programme.

A new push-button system has also been installed to allow water to flow from the lion's mouth.

The charity Heritage of London Trust (HOLT) partnered with Croydon Council for the project, during which more than 300 young people met conservators and took part in creative workshops as part of HOLT's youth engagement programme.

The drinking fountain is an example of Victorian craftsmanship and civic design

Heritage of London Trust A wall-mounted fountain with a lion's head on a worn metal plate, marked with some graffiti. It's set into decorative stone and brickwork with intricate details. — The drinking fountain is an example of Victorian craftsmanship and civic design

The drinking fountain, an example of Victorian craftsmanship and civic design, is made of materials of the late 19th Century, including faience - glazed terracotta, granite and cast iron.

According to HOLT, the first public drinking fountain in the capital was erected at St Sepulchre Without Newgate church in the City of London in 1859.

By 1900, hundreds had been installed across the city.

By the time the Surrey Street fountain was installed, clean drinking water was available to a much greater proportion of the population than in 1859, but drinking fountains remained a basic, expected amenity within public spaces, HOLT said.

The restoration involved more than 300 young people from schools and youth groups

Two children on the left hand side are in a blue school uniform with one girl wearing a grey cardigan. The girl on the left is wearing a white shirt with grey pinafore. They are stood in front of the fountain. — The restoration involved more than 300 young people from schools and youth groups

Ritik and Shreyanshi, who are both in Year 5, helped with the restoration work: "It was really fun to see all the exciting parts of making it a better place, so people can drink water.

"It's also really fun to learn about its history."

"I like its old charm and how it's available to anyone who needs to use the fountain."

Sixth former, Caitlin, said: "I was able to learn about the fountain, and at school did stonemasonry so we could understand what the conservators would do to restore the fountain.

"I never knew the fountain was here but it has been helpful to learn about its history and why it's important."

'King' Louis, a local resident, said: "I love what you've done with this. I'm going to make sure I keep an eye on it and protect it" while another, Maggie, added: "It's so wonderful to see this looking so good and what's better - working".

Dr Nicola Stacey from the trust said it was “delighted to be supporting the restoration of this historic fountain in the heart of Croydon – a source of much local pride 130 years ago”.

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