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WITH the current interest reference to the seafront enhancement programme under review, the history relating to site six, the North Plantation, may be of interest to Guernsey Press readers. After a chance discovery of some significance in relation with the old granite pump on the east side of the Town Church and the pump standing facing Churchill Avenue at Cambridge Park, my attention turned to the 1861 drinking fountain in the North Plantation alongside the North Esplanade. This 1861 drinking fountain takes centre stage in a Guernsey Press photograph published on 5 November, under the seafront enhancement programme, site number six of six. The drinking fountain is listed as a protected monument.
The gunmetal ‘1861’ on the face of the shaft is a good guide for which year to begin researching for the details surrounding its appearance and history. The Guernsey newspapers, The Star and Comet provide the answers. From The Star dated 16 July 1861 this news item: ‘A drinking Fountain had just been erected by order of the Committee in the plantation and abutting the footpath of the Pollet Street division of the harbour works. It consists of a square shaft of dark blue Guernsey granite, deeply panelled, standing on a plinth of the same material, and surrounded with a moulded cornice and cap. The entire height being 11ft and weight, five and three quarter tons. The design which is by Mr Lyster, engineer to the harbour, is of the simplest character, as being best suited to the dark colour and adamantine properties of the material.
‘It has been prepared by Mr H. Bisson, of the Vale, and does infinite credit to his skill as a stone dresser. The water which will be supplied from the cistern in Havelet Road, is to be ejected from the mouth, of a good-natured looking animal of the lion tribe, which, with the brackets, cups and dog basin, are of gun-metal, bronzed, and richly ornamented with leaves and suitable floral devices; the highly decorative character of these gems materially enhancing the massive beauty of the stonework. It has, we understand, been suggested by Mr Lyster that a fountain of similar design, but of red granite, be placed near the town church; and that one of blue granite be placed at the south division of the harbour-works. Should this arrangement be carried out, it will add to the general effect and harmony of the whole’.
The Comet dated 10 October 1861, reports the official opening of the drinking fountain with the news: ‘This morning at 10 o’clock, the drinking fountain in the centre of the North Plantation of the harbour-works was formally thrown open to the public. There were present, our respected Bailiff, Peter Stafford Carey Esq. and three Misses Carey his daughters, Edgar MacColloch, G.F. Lyster and P. Le Lievre Esquires. The ceremony was performed by Miss Emily-Jane Carey who, after drinking a portion of the pure, healthful liquid poured the remainder against the granite shaft and christened it the ‘Pollet Fountain’. Pollet signifying a little pool, from which the locality derives its name. The two youngest Misses Carey and the gentlemen present commencing with the Bailiff, afterwards partaking of a draught. In the entire arrangement, the blending of ornamental with the useful is an entire success, the beautiful fluted iron railing and gates, surmounted with an ornamental spear-head, being in correspondence with the brackets, caps and dog basin, which are of gun metal, bronzed and richly ornamented with leafs and suitable floral devices, and are the production of the Messrs. Hart of London.
The rails are quadrant shaped, and were cast with the gates at Mr W. H. Smithard’s foundery. Within the railings and on either side of the shaft are placed seats on which the tired and the thirsty traveller may sit. We believe it is contemplated to place beside the fountain a weeping willow, or some drooping shrub, which may overhang the seats and thus combine shelter from the heat as well as rest from fatigue. The whole which must be regarded as a highly credible proof of what may be effected by narrative skill, and to some extent, with native material.’
The names of George Fosbery Lyster, civil engineer, and Henry Bisson are inscribed on the monument. With acknowledgement to the Priaulx Library and their newspaper archive.
DAVID KRECKLER.