A council has completed the successful restoration of the historic Gedling Fountain, ensuring the landmark can continue to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for years to come.
The decorative drinking fountain dates back to 1874 and is located opposite the war memorial in Gedling Village. Originally, water from the Ouse Dyke, a tributary of the River Trent, was used to supply the fountain until it was moved in 1974.
The project to restore Gedling Fountain has received £8,150 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). The work was carried out by a local specialist stonemason with expertise in the conservation of historic structures.
The works included a range of essential repairs and conservation measures, including re-pointing masonry work, replacing damaged roof tiles, repairing and replacing various stone elements, and replacing sections of timber within the roof structure.
A careful and sensitive approach was taken throughout the project to protect the fountain’s historic fabric. Specialist stone-cleaning work was undertaken to remove dirt while safeguarding the integrity of the masonry.
The conservation team deliberately avoided over-cleaning the structure to avoid damaging the stonework, particularly during the abrasive cleaning process. As a result, some dirt remains in deeper, intricately detailed areas of the fountain, as further cleaning could have resulted in the loss of fragile surrounding stonework.
Councillor Lynda Pearson, Portfolio Holder for Communities and Place, said:
“We are delighted to see the restoration of Gedling Fountain completed. This important conservation project has preserved a valued local landmark while respecting its historic character. Special thanks must go to the Gedling Village Local History and Preservation Society and Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth for their commitment to the project to restore the fountain.”
