Coronation Gardens were beautifully laid out by Fanny Wilkinson, England’s first professional female landscape designer and have changed little since. The park’s name commemorates the coronation of King Edward VII in August 1902. The drinking fountain was erected in 1904.

At the front of the park’s fountain, a figurine once stood above the drinking bowl, holding a water jug. The figurine disappeared many years ago, and the fountain had also stopped working. The fountain has now been restored with fresh drinking water and a new bronze statue of Fanny Wilkinson, created by sculptor, Gillian Brett.

 

During Proud Places visits, young people met the stonemasons and learnt about Fanny Wilkinson and her pioneering role in landscaping. They also learnt about the positive environmental impacts of having a fountain in a park, reducing plastic waste.

 

Over 300 local young people joined the fountain’s unveiling event. Proud Places participants spoke to the crowd about the project and met sculptor Gillian Brett. Pupils who attended the grand unveiling featured on BBC London News and ITV News, sipping the first drops of free fresh drinking water for years!