Fountain Albert Square Manchester
PROPOSED NEW FOUNTAIN FOR ALBERT SQUARE - The Waterworks Committee of the Corporation report that an offer has been made to them by Messrs Thomas Worthington and Son, architects, on behalf of an anonymous donor, to erect a permanent fountain in Albert Square, on the site of the existing fountain. The only stipulation is that the fountain be erected in Albert Square, under Messrs Worthington and Son’s directions and supervision, the Corporation to supply the foundations and fix the necessary piping. The Committee have had the present foundations examined and find that they are quite sufficient for the suggested new fountain, and they therefore recommend that the offer be accepted, on the understanding that no inscription of any kind be placed upon the fountain without the consent of the Council. The design of the fountain has been placed in the Lord Mayor’s Parlour for inspection by members of the Council, where it may be seen any day prior to the next meeting of the Council. [Manchester Guardian21 September 1896 page 6]
THE ALBERT SQUARE FOUNTAIN - The fountain which was put up in Albert Square in connection with the opening of the Thirlmere water supply on October 13 1894, is about to be removed, and its place will be taken by a more permanent structure. The new fountain is the gift of an anonymous donor, and has been designed by Messrs Thomas Worthington and Son. Being Gothic in style, it will harmonise with the general surroundings of the square. It will be hexagonal in shape, and will consist of three basins, surmounted by a bronze dolphin, which has been modelled by Mr John Cassidy. The lower basin will be of granite, resting on steps; the middle one will be of Bolton Wood stone, supported by small detached granite columns; whilst the upper basin will be of granite. The flow of water has been carefully considered by the architects, with a view to the preservation of a graceful outline, and the pipes will be so arranged as to permit any basin being used separately or in combination with the others. Round the base of the middle basin will run the inscription: AErected in the 60th year of the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, Anno Domini 1897." Above this and on opposite sides will be two carved panels, the one bearing the Manchester arms, and the other the arms of the town before its incorporation. The contract for the work - which has been slightly delayed in consequence of the Jubilee festivities - has been let to Messrs J and H Patteson of Oxford Street, and is to be carried out by them under the direction of the architects. The Corporation will provide the requisite water supply, but beyond the cost of taking down the old structure no other expense will fall upon the citizens. [Manchester Guardian 7 July 1897 page 7]
THE NEW FOUNTAIN IN ALBERT SQUARE - The fountain which is in course of construction on the site of the temporary Thirlmere fountain in Albert Square is the gift of an anonymous donor, and is to cost ,1,000 to ,1,200. The design was approved by the city council in February 1896. It is by Messrs Thomas Worthington and Son, architects, of this city. The fountain is hexagonal on plan, and consists of a lower basin, 21 feet in diameter [Manchester Guardian 26 November 1897 page 10]
THE ALBERT SQUARE FOUNTAIN - The fountain, which has been presented to the city by an anonymous donor and which has been erected in Albert Square, from designs prepared by Messrs Thomas Worthington and Sons, architects of this city, was formally handed over to the Lord Mayor of Manchester (Mr Alderman Gibson) yesterday during the sitting of the City Council. Sir John Hopwood moved a resolution to the effect that the council had much pleasure in accepting the fountain, and the best thanks of the Council be given, through Messrs Worthington and Sons to the anonymous donor for his handsome gift. He said he desired to impress upon his colleagues the lesson that they should not look so much at the intrinsic value of a gift as at the motives which had actuated the giver. He trusted the example which had been set would encourage a spirit of emulation among others. Sir B T Leach seconded the motion, which was warmly supported by the Lord Mayor, and passed. Sir J Harwood, in the name of the Waterworks Committee, then moved that the Lord Mayor be requested to cause the water of the fountain be turned on. The motion was agreed to, and the members of the Council adjourned to one of the state apartments where from the windows they witnessed the playing of the fountain. [Manchester Guardian 6 January 1898 page 7]
To the Editor of the Manchester Guardian - Sir - I should think the generous giver of the handsome fountain in Albert Square will be highly gratified at the great care which is being taken of it. It has never been used as a fountain since the opening day. No doubt it is because the action of the water would wear away the stone. Yours etc TRC [Manchester Guardian 25 February 1898 page 3]
The Town Hall Committee of the Manchester Corporation yesterday appointed a small sub-committee to consider the suggestion that the fountain in Albert Square would be more serviceable in Heaton Park or some other place. Manchester, like Leeds and some other towns have found that fountains in open spaces are not all that one could wish. It too frequently happens that when the fountain is playing the wind blows the water on to the footpath too freely to be agreeable. In Heaton Park there would be no trouble in this respect. It was in 1894 that a fountain was first erected in Albert Square. In October of that year it was used to celebrate the bringing of water from Thirlmere Lake to the city. Then in 1896 Messrs Thomas Worthington and Sons announced that they had an offer from an anonymous donor of a fountain to cost about £1,000 or £1,200. This offer was duly considered and in the end accepted, the Waterworks Committee and the Council signifying their approval of the design. The fountain was erected, but it has been disappointing. It is hexagonal in shape, and consists of a lower basin 21 feet in diameter, standing upon a raised platform of three steps of grey Scottish granite, and is constructed of unpolished red granite from the Hill o’ Fare Quarries. From the centre of the basin rises a second one, 9 feet in diameter. Above this is a third, 3 feet 6 inches in diameter, and from it rises a short moulded stem of red granite, with a spreading cap upon which is placed a bronze dolphin. [Manchester Guardian 29 August 1907 page 12]
Reference Manchester Guardian 21 September 1896 page 6
Reference Manchester Guardian 7 July 1897 page 7
Reference Manchester Guardian 26 November 1897 page 10
Reference Manchester Guardian 6 January 1898 page 7
Reference Manchester Guardian 25 February 1898 page 3 correspondence
Reference Manchester Guardian 29 August 1907 page 12 – proposed removal
