Alderman Proctor's Drinking Fountain | |
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General information | |
Architectural style | Gothic Revival |
Town or city | Bristol |
Country | England |
Coordinates | 51°27′42″N2°37′33″W / 51.461609°N 2.625837°W Coordinates: 51°27′42″N2°37′33″W / 51.461609°N 2.625837°W |
Completed | 1872 |
Client | Society of Merchant Venturers |
Design and construction | |
Architect(s) | G and H Godwin |
The Alderman Proctor's Drinking Fountain (grid reference ST566738 ) is a historic building on Clifton Down, Bristol, England.
The city of Bristol began supplying municipal drinking water in 1858. To inform the public about the new water supply, Robert Lang made a proposal though the Bristol Times that public drinking fountains be constructed. Lang began the "Fountain Fund" in January 1859 with a donation of one hundred pounds. [1] By 1906, there were more than 40 public drinking fountains throughout the city. [2]
In 1872, Alderman Thomas Proctor commissioned the firm of George and Henry Godwin to build the fountain to commemorate the 1861 presentation of Clifton Down to the City of Bristol by the Society of Merchant Venturers. [3] [4] [lower-alpha 1]
The three-sided fountain is done in Gothic Revival style. The main portion is of limestone with pink marble columns and white marble surround. [8] [9] [10] The commemorative plaque is of black lettering on white marble; the plaque reads, "Erected by Alderman Thomas Proctor, of Bristol to record the liberal gift of certain rights on Clifton Down made to the citizens by the Society of Merchant Venturers under the provision of the Clifton and Drudham Downs Acts of Parliament, 1861, whereby the enjoyment of these Downs is preserved to the citizens of Bristol for ever." The fountain bears the coat of arms for the city of Bristol, the Society of Merchant Venturers and that of Alderman Thomas Proctor. [2]
The fountain was originally situated at the head of Bridge Valley Road. It became a sight impediment to modern auto traffic in the later 20th century. The fountain was moved to the other side of the road, closer to the Mansion House in 1987. After the move, it underwent restoration and was re-dedicated on 1 May 1988. [8] [9] [10] [11] It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building since 1977. [3] [8] [9]
The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a suspension bridge spanning the Avon Gorge and the River Avon, linking Clifton in Bristol to Leigh Woods in North Somerset. Since opening in 1864, it has been a toll bridge, the income from which provides funds for its maintenance. The bridge is built to a design by William Henry Barlow and John Hawkshaw, based on an earlier design by Isambard Kingdom Brunel. It is a Grade I listed building and forms part of the B3129 road.
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Clifton Down is an area of public open space in Bristol, England, north of the village of Clifton. With its neighbour Durdham Down to the northeast, it constitutes the large area known as The Downs, much used for leisure including walking and team sports. Clifton Down is the part of the Downs south of Stoke Road.
Durdham Down is an area of public open space in Bristol, England. With its neighbour Clifton Down to the southwest, it constitutes a 400-acre (1.6 km2) area known as The Downs, much used for leisure including walking, jogging and team sports. Its exposed position makes it particularly suitable for kite flying. Durdham Down is the part of the Downs north of Stoke Road.
The Downs are an area of public open limestone downland in Bristol, England. They consist of Durdham Down to the north and east and Clifton Down to the south, separated by Stoke Road.
The Society of Merchant Venturers is a charitable organisation in the English city of Bristol.
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Clifton Observatory is a former mill, now used as an observatory, located on Clifton Down, close to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol, England.
The Bristol Naturalists' Society is an organisation whose objectives include the promotion of the study of natural history, particularly that of the Bristol area, and the conservation of the fauna, flora, and geological sites of Britain. It was founded in 1862 and celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2012.
The following is a timeline of the history of the city of Bristol, England.
Charles Pinney was a British merchant and local politician in Bristol, England. He was a partner in a family business that ran sugar plantations in the West Indies and owned a number of slaves. Pinney was selected as mayor of Bristol in 1831 and within weeks had to manage the response to major riots. Public order was lost for a number of days and significant damage caused to the city centre. Pinney was charged with neglect of duty over his actions but was acquitted at trial. He returned to local government as an alderman, holding the position until 1853.
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Alderman Proctor's Drinking Fountain.