Drinking Fountain Ashton-on-Mersey

Mr. William C. Brooks, M P., was present the other day at the opening ceremony of a fountain presented by himself to the inhabitants of Ashton-on-Mersey. The fountain forms at the base a circle 11 feet in diameter, with a square of about four in the centre, which forms the base of a bold column with series of simple and effective designs, the whole being surmounted a lamp, which stands about 18 feet from the ground. The base of the column on one side is used as a drinking fountain for pedestrians, and the space between the three other sides of this base and the outer circles is utilised for horse, cattle, and dog troughs. In connection with the above there is also a massive pillar with a postal letter box. The whole is made of Argyllshire red granite, finely dressed, the insides of the several troughs being polished, and has been executed from the drawings of Mr. George Truefitt, architect, 5 Bloomsbury Square, London, W.C., and Messrs. James and Henry Patteson, Oxford Street, Manchester. [Manchester Courier 1 December 1881 page 7]

Reference           Manchester Courier 1 December 1881 page 7