Newly conserved city fountain is unveiled

Published on Tuesday, 26th June 2012

Cllr Alan White and Cllr Janet Eagland An historic drinking fountain in Lichfield City has been conserved

Using funding, secured from city developers through section 106 agreements, Lichfield District Council has cleaned and restored the Serjeantson Fountain on Greenhill in Lichfield.

Contractors, MSM Midland Stone Mason, dug out the fountain and pump stone in May, and took them away so they could receive the conservation treatment.

Using a huge crane, they set the newly restored historic drinking fountain back in place on Monday 25 June.

The fountain has changed in more than just its appearance. This is because, when it was excavated, contractors discovered that it was buried at least 75cm underground, so it is now taller.

Councillor Alan White, Lichfield District Council's Cabinet Member for Development Services, said: "The conservation work has been a great success and the fountain has been restored to its original glory. It is great that this historic memorial is back in place in good time for the Olympic Torch Relay, which will be carried down Greenhill as it enters the city centre on Saturday 30 June."

As part of the project, the council has also installed a new bench next to the fountain.

Lichfield City Council has agreed to undertake future maintenance of the fountain.

Councillor Janet Eagland, Mayor of Lichfield City Council, said: "Now that the fountain has been restored it is important that it does not fall into neglect again, so the city council has agreed to look after it from now on."

A short history of the Serjeantson Fountain

The Serjeantson Fountain was created in memorial to the Rev. James Jordan Serjeantson, Rector of St Michael's in Lichfield from 1868 until his death in 1886.

Funding for the memorial was achieved by public donations.

The drinking fountain was sculpted by Robert Bridgeman of Bridgeman & Sons. It stands on the verge of the Greenhill and Church Street junction in Lichfield.

When it was created, the memorial consisted of a square fountain with scalloped edging round the top. There were two drinking bowls with lion head spouts. Around the base of the fountain, there were four individual stone troughs for animals to drink from.

The fountain was unveiled on 31 July, 1886. It is no longer used as a drinking fountain. The restoration work does not include providing water to the site.