Drinking Fountain, Hare Hill Park, Littleborough

LITTLEBOROUGH CO-OPERATORS. A JUBILEE MEMORIAL DRINKING FOUNTAIN FOR THE PARK - A handsome drinking fountain erected in Hare Hill Park by the Littleborough Co-operative Society of Industry in commemoration of the society’s jubilee was formally presented to the Littleborough District Council on Saturday afternoon. The society celebrated its jubilee in November 1900, and it was then decided to present some tangible memorial of the event to the district. The fountain, which is the result of this example of public spirit on the part of the members, is a combination of the Early English and Gothic styles, and is in the form of a monument with richly moulded basement, on which are square columns supporting a heavy canopy with well relieved frontage on four faces, surmounted by a gracefully proportioned spire with carved finial. There are four panels to the central portion of the fountain, and from two of these, water is supplied through a neat gun metal lion’s head, the bowls beneath resting on columns with moulded cap and base. The other two panels are filled by inscriptions. One reads: “Erected by the Littleborough Cooperative Society of Industry Limited in commemoration of the society’s jubilee, November 7th, 1900.” The other is an extract from the late Mr. J. T. W. Mitchell’s inaugural address at the Co-operative Congress at Rochdale in 1892: “The three great forces for the improvement of mankind are: Religion, temperance, and co-operation, and as a commercial force supported and, sustained 'by the other two, cooperation is the grandest, noblest, and the most likely to be successful in the redemption of the industrial classes.” The fountain throughout is composed of the best Aberdeen grey and Peterhead red granite. It is polished and stands on two large landings of Whitworth stone. The work has been designed and carried out by the well-known firm of sculptors, Messrs. Rawson and Sons of Bury, who have executed it in a finished style, and to the entire satisfaction of the committee. [Rochdale Observer 3 June 1903 page 8]

Reference    Rochdale Observer 3 June 1903 page 8