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Site: The Bartleet Fountain |
Grid Reference: SP 04140 67749 |
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Description: |
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The Fountain stands on a substantial base of Yorkshire stone, which supports a handsomely shaped basin bearing on its exterior a number of Icanthus leaves. Springing from the centre of the basin is a shaft round which are clustered fruits and aquatic plants, together with four herons. Surmounting the shaft is a smaller basin, in the centre of which is a pedestal bearing a figure with a pitcher pointing downwards. |
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Significance: |
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To be added |
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History: |
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The Fountain, at the northern end of the Church Green Gardens adjacent to St.Stephen's Parish Church in Redditch Town Centre, was unveiled with great ceremony on 15th May 1883, by Mrs. Bartleet, wife of the generous donor Mr. Richard Smith Bartleet, magistrate and sometime Deputy Lieutenant of Worcestershire. Mr. Bartleet was one of the most prominent figures in the local needle industry as well as being a highly successful manufacturer of needles and fishing tackle, he also took a great interest in the moral welfare and progress of the town of Redditch and its people. His chief interests were in education and in the active encouragement of temperance and healthy living. When the "Church Green Enclosure" was formed by public subscription Mr. Bartleet promised that when the waterworks were introduced to the town he would present a fountain to commemorate the event and to adorn the new public space. He honoured his promise by, after much deliberation, choosing the fountain which still stands today. Made of cast iron, by the celebrated Coalbrookdale Company in Shropshire, the fountain was described in the Redditch Indicator on its unveiling: "It stands on a substantial base of Yorkshire stone, which supports a handsomely shaped basin bearing on its exterior a number of Icanthus leaves. Springing from the centre of the basin is a shaft round which are clustered fruits and aquatic plants, together with four herons. Surmounting the shaft is a smaller basin, in the centre of which is a pedestal bearing a figure with a pitcher pointing downwards, which is typical of temperance . . . the whole conveys the legend that without water neither animal or vegetable life can exist . . .". NB The statue was cast from an original sculpture by the Wills Brothers of London Mr. J. W. Shrimpton, speaking at the opening ceremony, said that he believed that the fountain was the first public gift bestowed upon the town there had been many good men who had given noble gifts to churches, but this was the first that had been given irrespective of creed or persuasion. The crowd cheered when it was suggested that Mr. Bartleet's example should be followed by others, making the town one of the prettiest in the kingdom. The Bartleet Fountain was extensively restored in 2003. A specialist company, Lost Art, using historical records and a team of skilled craftsmen, made castings and carvings in order to reproduce damaged or missing components, and to reinstate original details which had been lost through corrosion and the passage of time. The water layout was also re- |
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