Adamson Memorial Drinking Fountain

On 18 Dec 2005 13:51:41 -0800, "Richard Hyett"
<richard.hyett@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

>The last time I looked the drinking fountain at the sea front in
>Cullercoats, had four lions faces pointing in four directions. Today I
>noticed that two of the lions are missing, t here is just a gaping
>whole where they should be. Not a good month for fountains


Hi Richard

The Adamson Memorial Fountain has been much neglected for a number of
years, even though it is Listed 2 and under the custodianship of North
Tyneside Council.

Unfortunately the soft white marble which constitutes the spire of the
memorial has been much weathered by the wind and sea, so much so that
much of the original detail has disappeared. Additionally the lion
head's which at one stage acted as spouts are so corroded that if you
didn't know which beast it was, I'm sure you would be hard pressed to
guess what they were.

The Adamson Fountain, was erected in 1888 to commemorate Bryan John
Huthwaite Adamson (son of Major William Adamson), Lieut. R.N.,
commanding the HMS Wasp which sailed from Singapore 10th September
1887 and was never seen again!

The memorial was erected by his friends with the ground being donated
by the Duke of Northumberland.

The lions on the West and East sides of the memorial have been
"missing" for a number of years now, since at least 1999, I know this
from the photographs I have taken - see:

http://www.fototime.com/inv/EB8DCB78AF3A538

Now whether the lion heads simply corroded away or were stolen is a
matter of conjecture, but the clear matter is that NTC haven't
bothered their arses to maintain this piece of heritage!

Cheors

Steve E.

Whitley Bay, North East England
Tyneside & Northumberland Local History Group at:
www.smartgroups.com/groups/tyneside
For photographs of the Newcastle Upon Tyne area go to:
www.steve-ellwood.org.uk
www.geordies.force9.co.uk
"Geordie goes beyond mere geography and is a quality of heart"
Skype me at: steve_ellwood
.