|
WHAT BECAME OF THE FOUNTAIN
IN NORTHAM SQUARE?
In a letter from a Torridge
District Council Officer on 15th August 2005, it was stated
that:-
"The fountain is in a poor state of repair…. It is of prefabricated
concrete construction. Vandal damage has removed the outer surface to
lower panels and have exposed some of the reinforcing bars. The internal
bracing has probably eroded or collapsed as the structure has obviously
moved, joints have opened up. A short while ago, a timber collar was
added to arrest further movement. In the past, crude mortar repairs have
been made to the facework".
Northam Town Council agreed that it should be taken down and replaced with
something else for safety's sake and asked Torridge to proceed.
The background to all this is that "The Fountain was given to Northam by
the Rev'd E.S de Courcy-Ireland M.A., whilst a member of the Urban
District Council 1929" Research at the local Archive Office in Windmill
Lane revealed that the gentleman in question was a private resident living
at 'Homemead', Northam at least in 1926 but was not there in 1933. 'Homemead'
still stands in its own ground in Diddywell. It appears that he was Vicar
to Kingswear".
A newspaper article (9th
April 1929) records the Water Committee of Northam UDC discussing the
extension and improvement of the mains water supply to Northam. Included,
is a note that the Chairman (plus another) thank the Rev'd de Courcy-Ireland
for his generous offer of a fountain for The Square. He states that
although it will not be a large feature, it will, however, be substantial.
Kelly's Directory 1933
records a fountain feature in the Italian style and designed by
Messrs Burton Holt of Chelsea.
The Rev'd gentleman also
commissioned the trough at the top of Northam dedicated to the War
Horses. This was moved to its new site along with the Statue of Liberty
war memorial, to enable the construction of the
by-pass.
|