Memorial Drinking Fountain Lytham

DRINKING FOUNTAIN, LYTHAM. This drinking fountain is being erected by Lady Eleanor Cicely Clifton on an open space in front of the market-house at Lytham, and the design has been prepared with a view to harmonising with the surroundings. The outer part has the base of Yorkshire stone moulded and well elevated on a circular platform of three steps. The upper part is formed with clustered pilasters of English oak with carved panels and capitals, the superstructure also being of English oak covered with red tiles. Round the frieze is placed the following inscription: “Eleanor Cicely Clifton erected this fountain in memory of her husband, John Talbot Clifton, who died at Hamman Rhea, Algiers, April 16, 1882.” The inner pedestal and basins are of Yorkshire stone surmounted by the Clifton arms, and having the niches and drinking jets encircled with dolphins and other appropriate ornament in bronze. The carving throughout has been specially designed to suit a seaside locality, seaweeds, fishes, and shells being introduced in the panels and other parts. In addition to the four drinking basins a trough for horses and dogs is provided on one side. Mr. John Roberts, of Bolton, is the contractor, and Mr. R. Knill Freeman, F.R.I.B.A., of Bolton, the architect. [The Architect 16 December 1882 page 383]

The memorial drinking fountain was originally located in Market Square in front of the Market House. In the 1920s it was taken down and removed to Sparrow Park between Ballam Road and Station Square to make way for a War Memorial (but never re-connected to the water supply). The carving is by Earp and Hobbs. (David French)