This is the only surviving Passmore Edwards fountain which now offers fresh drinking water. Passmore Edwards was a political and social reformer and became one of the most successful newspaper owners of his time. He put his energies  and his money - into philanthropy, funding more than 70 public buildings. In 1906 he wrote that one of his life aims was: “To place drinking-water within reach of many of the poorest”. 

 

As part of Proud Places, stonemasons and gilders invited the children to learn more about the process of restoration. This inspired the children to create their own ceramic drinking fountains one of which won a place at the 2023 Royal Academy Young Artists’ Summer Show.

“I have always wanted to get young people involved with stonemasonry but didn’t know how.”

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– Max Lawson, Stonemason