9 September 2009
Fountain welling up to former glory
Work is beginning on the restoration and rebuilding of The St
Lawrence Jewry Memorial Fountain, which has not been seen by the
public since the 1970s when it was dismantled into approximately
150 pieces and put into storage. The pieces of the nineteenth
century drinking water fountain have now been transported to the
specialist stonework and restoration contractor, Cathedral Works
Organisation (CWO), which will carry out the work, under the
supervision of Freeland Rees Roberts Architects.
A project website has been set up to provide an update on the
progress of the works and also act as a City archival record of the
works. It will feature pictures and short films of the
various stages of the restoration and can be accessed at
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/stpaulsfountain
The majority of the conservation and restoration work is
expected to be carried out offsite with the rebuilding onsite
estimated to take another four months. The anticipated
completion date is August 2010 when it will be relocated to the
eastern end of Carter Lane Gardens at the south of St Paul’s
Cathedral. The St Lawrence Jewry Memorial Fountain is part of Phase
2 of the Carter Lane Quarter Enhancement Project. The aim of these
street scene improvement works is to greatly enhance the public
realm of the Carter Lane Area and supporting and enhancing the
pedestrian environment is key to the area’s future success.
Christine Cohen, Chairman of the Planning and Transportation
Committee, City of London Corporation said:
“This is an excellent example of how the City of London
Corporation is able to combine heritage with modern initiatives to
provide amenities for City workers, residents and visitors.
It is a beautiful fountain which will soon be restored to its
former glory and be on public display once more.”
It is proposed to re-use a substantial portion of the original
fountain stonework and supplement it with new matching carved stone
where the original stone has been lost or damaged beyond
repair. The original features, a bas relief of Moses striking
the Rock and a stone bowl underneath, will be retained. In
addition to this, a new modern drinking water fountain is proposed
on the opposite side. The project is part of a wider
sustainability initiative by the City of London Corporation which
involves re-provision of drinking water in the City. The
fountain is to be positioned on a new plinth with two steps to
match the historical setting of the original fountain by St
Lawrence Jewry Church.
The fountain was originally erected in 1866 outside the Church
of St Lawrence Jewry near Guildhall as a gift to the City of London
from the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough
Association. It was designed by architect John Robinson and
the bronze sculpture was carried out by the artist Joseph
Durham. It was taken down in the 1970s during the
redevelopment of Guildhall.
Notes for editors
City of London Corpration:
The City of London Corporation is a uniquely diverse organisation.
It supports and promotes the City as the world leader in
international finance and business services and provides local
services and policing for those working in, living in and visiting
the Square Mile. It also provides valued services to London and the
nation. These include the Barbican Centre and the Guildhall School
of Music & Drama; the Guildhall Library and Art Gallery and
London Metropolitan Archive; a range of education provision
(including three City Academies); five Thames bridges (including
Tower Bridge and the Millennium Bridge); the Central Criminal Court
at Old Bailey; over 10,000 acres of open spaces (including
Hampstead Heath and Epping Forest), and three wholesale food
markets. It is also London’s Port Health Authority and runs the
Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow. It works in partnership with
neighbouring boroughs on the regeneration of surrounding areas and
the City Bridge Trust, which it oversees, donates more than £15m to
charity annually.
Carter Lane Quarter Project:
The Carter Lane Quarter project involves improving traffic
management and the street scene environment of the Carter Lane area
in order to encourage better use of the Quarter by local workers,
residents and visitors and achieve a successful balance between
pedestrian and vehicle movement. Proposals include the
permanent closure and pedestrianisation of a section of Carter Lane
between Cannon Street and Godliman Street and the timed closure of
Carter Lane between Creed Lane and Ludgate Broadway. Other
proposals include footway widening and resurfacing in York stone
paving, carriageway resurfacing in granite setts, improved lighting
and seating, new planting and clutter reduction. The project
involves three phases and will greatly enhance the area South of St
Paul’s Cathedral for the large number of visitors and better link
the Carter Lane Gardens and Carter Lane with St Paul’s Cathedral,
the Millennium Bridge approach, the Information Centre and
Cheapside.
Cathedral Works Organisation (Chichester) Ltd:
Cathedral Works Organisation (CWO) was established in 1965 and has
made conservation and repairing the nation’s building heritage a
mission of excellence, the company was purchased nearly two years
ago from previous owner Geoffrey Osborne Ltd by its management
team. CWO’s commitment to stonemasonry is far reaching, covering
both restoration/conservation as well as new build with stone. With
an annual turnover approaching £10 million and employing more than
90 staff in Chichester, London and Kent, CWO has the Royal Warrant
for Stonemasonry and Restoration Contractors.
In the last few years the company has completed many high
profile and award-winning projects. These include the relocation
and reconstruction of Temple Bar in the City of London, three
phases of work for the external refurbishment of St George’s Chapel
at Windsor Castle, several new build superior private residences,
as well as interiors such as Cantilever staircases and bespoke
fireplaces. CWO recently completed the conservation/ restoration of
The Monument and the front steps at Westminster Cathedral.
www.cwo.uk.com
Freedland Rees Roberts Architects:
Freeland Rees Roberts Architects’ key areas of expertise include:
Churches & Cathedrals; Historic Buildings & Conservation;
Schools; Colleges & Universities; Local Authority; Sport &
Leisure; Private Houses; Residential Schemes; Commercial &
Workplace; Healthcare and Libraries.
Freeland Rees Roberts Architects are responsible for the inspection
and repair of well over 100 parish churches across East Anglia and
the South East. Henry Freeland is architect to St Edmundsbury
Cathedral, architect to the fabric of King’s College Chapel and
Guildford and Norwich Cathedrals. Freeland Rees Roberts
worked with the City of London on the relocation of Temple Bar and
are currently involved in the HLF funded development at the Queen
Elizabeth's Hunting Lodge at Epping Forest.
www.frrarchitects.co.uk
Press contact
Visuals of the fountain in its previous location and a mock up
of it in its new location are available from:
Kristina Blissett, Press Office, City of London Corporation
Tel: 020 7332 3451 / Mobile: 07795 290040
Email:
kristina.blissett@cityoflondon.gov.uk