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Drinking fountain. Statue of a semi-naked female figure pouring water from jug into a pitcher surmounting a stone basin and base. The fountain is dry.

Mid-Victorian Bolton saw the installation of a number of drinking fountains. Apart from public health arguments and temperance sentiments supporting such amenities, there was an awareness that fountains were also being installed in other Lancashire towns including Liverpool. Support for erecting fountains came from some of the borough's wealthier inhabitants - James Barlow, Robert Howarth, Samuel Burnside, Arthur Greg - who agreed to meet the costs of at least one cast-iron drinking fountain each. A subscription made up of smaller donations, chiefly collected from workers in the town's larger mills and engineering works, helped to pay for a more elaborate drinking fountain which was to be situated in the Market Place. This fountain included a bronze figure was designed by the Wills Brothers and manufactured at the famous Coalbrookdale Works. On its arrival in the town it was displayed in Bradshawgate. The People's Fountain, as it was significantly named, was probably installed towards the end of 1860. The total cost was £114, of which £80 was for the sculpture. However the fountain did not become a permanent landmark in the town centre as it was removed to Bolton Park, before the park opened in 1866. It was located near to the walk set aside for women. In 1978 the original bronze statue was vandalised and it was repalced with an inferior stone version.

circa

raw year

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At risk

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statue

stone

statue 118 cm high

base

stone

93 cm high