Drinking Fountain: Whitworth Gardens (Sackville Park)

Whitworth Park, formerly the site of Sir Joseph Whitworth’s engineering works, was purchased by the Manchester Corporation in 1900 to provide a much-needed area of greenery in the warehouse district, but was also close to the new Central School and School of Technology. The drinking fountain was the gift of A J S Bles to the Manchester Parks Committee. 

SACKVILLE GARDENS - Recently a pretty drinking fountain has been placed there—a fountain of hard Yorkshire stone, with a shaft rising from a flight of steps, and a gun-metal band encircling the shafts and forming the mouths that are to pour out water for the thirsty. An inscription on the band tells that the fountain has been given by Mr A. J. S. Bles, and the purpose of yesterday's gathering was that Mr. Bles might formally present the fountain through the Lord Mayor to the city. The gift came spontaneously from Mr. Bles. Walking through the garden ono day he noticed that it lacked a fountain. He offered to provide one, and the Parks Committee of the City Council gladly accepted the offer. Among those present was the designer and architect of the fountain, Mr G Faulkner Armitage. [Manchester Guardian 20 August 1908 page 12]

Reference           Manchester Guardian 20 August 1908 page 12 – formal opening