Fountains for Manchester Parks (Architectural Competition)

NEW FOUNTAINS FOR MANCHESTER PARKS - The Special Committee of the Manchester Corporation appointed to arrange for the erection of the four fountains presented to the city by the late Alderman Clay have adjudicated upon the designs which had been sent in at the invitation of the committee. There were twenty-four competing architects and sculptors, and the committee selected the two designs submitted by Mr. J. W. Beaumont, architect, of St. James's-place, Manchester, and two fountains of each design will be erected. Each design consists of a canopy covering a basin of water, from the centre of which will spring a jet or jets of water, the basins for drinking purposes being placed on the outside of the base of the canopy. Small drinking troughs for dogs are also provided. The fountains will stand on three steps, and the ground round them is to be laid out for grass and flowers. In both designs the base will be of granite, in one case grey and in the other red, and the superstructure will be of red sandstone from the Corsehill quarries. It is a condition that the fountains are to be erected at a cost of £700 each. They will be placed in Boggart Hole Clough, Queen’s Park, Birch Fields, and Oak-road Park, Crumpsall.  [Builder 24 December 1898 page 58]

DRINKING FOUNTAINS, MANCHESTER - The four drinking fountains erected out of a bequest of the late Alderman Clay are being brought into use. They have been designed by Mr. J. W. Beaumont, architect, of Manchester. The fountains are erected in Crumpsall Park, Boggart Hole Clough, Birch Fields, and Queen’s Park. [Builder 14 July 1900 page 40]

Reference    Builder 24 December 1898 page 584
Reference    Builder 14 July 1900 page 40