Council-commissioned report backs the case for putting Johnson Drinking Fountain in Spalding's Ayscoughfee Hall

A consultant’s report has supported the case for an historic drinking fountain to return to the grounds of Ayscoughfee Hall.

The future of the Johnson Drinking Fountain has been debated in recent weeks after South Holland District Council vowed to return it to the grounds of the historic hall.

Spalding and District Civic Society opposed the plan and got 443 signatures on a petition to ask for it to be put into the town centre instead.

As a result of that, the council commissioned architect Oglesby & Limb to look into the merits of Ayscoughfee and Hall Place (its original home) as possible locations for the 1874 fountain. Its report found that Ayscoughfee was the ‘most appropriate and far more cost effective’ choice - a view reached with advice from Historic England.

District council deputy leader Peter Coupland said: “Don’t take our word or the civic society’s word, take the word of the people that know.”

He said the bill for repairs and relocation would be £30-40k and for Hall Place: “I can see it costing at least double as a conservative estimate because of the ground works.”

Councillors fear the fountain could be vandalised in Hall Place and that the structure is no longer in keeping with the modern shop buildings that were rebuilt after the war.

The architect’s report notes the ‘protection’ offered by being in gardens that are locked overnight.

Coun Rodney Grocock said no-one had queried the location of the fountain when it had been under the trees on the site of Ayscoughfee’s new war memorial, which it made way for in 2018.

The fountain commemorates the role Mary Ann Johnson played in getting safe drinking water to Spalding.

Coun Grocock added: “The Johnson family lived in Ayscoughfee as well - it’s another reason why I can’t understand why the civic society would not like the idea that it was back where it’s been for 62 years.”

It has also now been revealed that the exact location at Ayscoughfee would be the site of the former paddling pool near the bird enclosure.

It will not be connected as a working water fountain.

This is currently grassed over with a planter on top and marked out with a stone border. Members hope families will sit around it with picnics in the summer.

South Holland heritage champion Liz Sneath said: “I think the sense of place we have got in Ayscoughfee is just right for this. I think, going forward, people will realise that.”

She added that information boards will also be installed to explain the history of the fountain to visitors. A planning application will now be lodged in the coming weeks - with any remaining objectors able to have their say on this.

Reports weighs up pros and cons for Johnson Drinking Fountain locations

A council-commissioned architect’s report outlined the pros and cons of two locations for the Johnson Drinking Fountain.

A summary of the document, compiled from analysis by Oglesby & Limb in conjunction with Historic England, was released by South Holland District Council this week.

The document looked at the merits of Hall Place and Ayscoughfee Gardens - the only two homes of the 1874 fountain. For Hall Place, it said that the fountain would ‘lift’ the area - but that the street scene is now ‘poor’ compared to 1874.

However it found:

• The fountain would be near the road and at risk of damage from cars.

• The site has ‘changes in level, kerb lines and underground services’ that bring ‘complications’ and ‘logistical challenges’.

• The site would leave the fountain ‘susceptible to damage, vandalism, graffiti and anti-social behaviour’.

• There could be an issue of ‘liability’ if a person climbed the fountain and injured themselves.

By contrast, Ayscoughfee Hall and Gardens - where the fountain stood from 1956 to 2018 - is described as a ‘protective environment’ that still has a ‘strong historical connection’ to the structure.

The paddling pool site - filled in some years ago having been empty previously - was selected by the council after its former location was taken by the Second World War memorial next to the peace garden.

The council’s report states that the location allows ‘good visibility from all angles’ and will ‘create a sense of place’ and a focus on the lawn.

It states: “In conclusion, having considered the merits of the historic associations and considering the need to protect the fountain, it is considered that the controlled environment offered by Ayscoughfee site would offer significant benefits to the fountain in helping to secure its long term safety and longevity.

“Therefore, taking into account the numerous parameters outlined above, it is considered that seeking to relocate the fountain by way of formal planning application to the former paddling pool area at Ayscoughfee Hall Gardens represents the most appropriate and cost effective solution, with the former paddling pool site being the preferred location of Historic England.”