The Story Behind Chiswick's Historic Drinking Fountain

Funding has been secured to restore artefact on Turnham Green Terrace

The restoration of the disused drinking fountain on Chiswick Back Common, just off Turnham Green Terrace, is underway.

Councillor John Todd, is spearheading the restoration ,has secured S106 funding and has asked Hounslow hHghways and Thames Water to assist with suitable water piping. He has also been in contact with the Drinking Fountain Association, which has promised support.

The fountain appears to be of the 124 design that was common across London in the early twentieth century, providing water for animals and humans. There is a similar fountain in Grove Park, which the DFA assisted in restoring.

The fountains were built in granite, some pink ad some grey. Originally the water from the spout was collected in metal cups secured with chains to bronze eyelets on top of the bowl. However that was deemed to be unhygienic as there was a potential for disease to be spread, and the cups were also stolen or vandalised. Original designs also featured a rosette as a delivery spout.

Historical research undertaken by Cllr Todd and Tracey Logan appears to have found the origin of the Chiswick Back Common fountain.

From the Middlesex and Surrey Express, Friday 04 April 1902, in an article entitled ‘Chiswick’s Open Spaces. Their improvement’, we learn that among the minutes of Chiswick District Council’s last ‘Commons Committee’ meeting were the following:-

'The clerk was directed to write to the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain Association asking if they could provide a drinking fountain for the Back Common. The [Commons] committee resolved to recommend to the Council that no objection be made to the use of the Back Common for cricket practice during the ensuing season, so matches be allowed, and no specific pitch to be appropriated by any particular club or team. The committee resolved that boards be placed on the hurdles around the Back Common with notice therreon, inviting the co-operation of the inhabitants in the protection of the trees and shrubs, and their assiwstance in keeping the Common in good order and condition for the benefit of the children of the parish.’

Another nearby drinking fountain erected on the Acton end of Acton Green (junction Gladstone Road and South Parade) collapsed after three youths were seen larking around. The local newspaper, West London Observer of Friday 11 December 1931 reports:

‘Fountain Collapses. Council’s Action: At Acton Police Court on Tursday, before Miss Smee (Chairman) and Mr P Harris, three Chiswick youths were summoned at the instance of the Acton Borough Council for damaging a drinking fountain at Acton Green Common on 20th September, to the value of £4 15s.

It is hoped that the fountain will be restored and able to provide clean drinking water for passers-by, with the current emphasis on saving plastic bottles, local residents will be able to refill their reusable bottles from the tap and dogs will also be catered for with a dog bowl at the bottom.

May 13, 2018