Saturday, 21 December 2013

Greenock - Keep the Pavement Dry!

This is what remains of a drinking fountain which once stood on the western end of Greenock Esplanade.  It is now in the garden of sheltered accommodation near the Old West Kirk - at least it hasn't disappeared altogether.

 
The wording reads - "Keep the Pavement Dry" - a bit ironic in Greenock which get a lot of rain!  I think that the bird is a heron and this is also found on many other fountains of this type.

 
Fountains like this with the "Keep the Pavement Dry" motto can be found not just in many British towns and cities, but all over the world - as far away as Sydney in Australia.  Many originated in W MacFarlane & Co's Saracen Foundry in Glasgow.  The company made ornamental ironwork. and published a catalogue from which decorative ironwork items could be ordered. 
 


The Greenockian

4 comments:

  1. Sorry I did not have more from Scotland on my tree. I bought the only ornament they had. Are there others of the wool? You know I could not forget my Scotland. I have never hear of fountains wit hhe expression “Keep the Pavement Dry” in any towns. This fountain is so pretty. It is so interesting to learn things like this that without our blogging we would never know. Happy Season. genie

    ReplyDelete
  2. They are so incredibly intricate! Lovely bit of information, thanks for this. :3

    the worldling blog

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gorgeous! Glad it has survived.

    ReplyDelete
  4. «Louis» enjoys bits of history such as this! Great post!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are very welcome.