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Sunray10
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12/05/2011
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23:05
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The Gaumless Fountain (sometimes spelt Gormless) was erected in what became 'Fountain Square', Gisburn road in 1847. In that year two Barrowford gentlemen Mr Oddie Sutcliffe, yeoman of Bank Hall (later the Lamb Club) and Mr Henry Armistead, a cotton spinner (possibly an ancestor of mine) sank a bore hole at West Hill in the village in order to supply their properties with clean, fresh water. However, such was the volume of water from this new source they decided to pipe the surplus down the hill to the Old Row area of Barrowford village.
The clean fresh water supply was soon welcomed by local residents in those places as they were able to obtain their domestic supply without having to walk further afield to one or the other spouts in the district. One other spout already existed near to Berry's Mill but the flow from that was somewhat sporadic - the Gaumless supply proved to be far more reliable. The huge stone trough hewn from a single mass of stone had to have it's rim set with iron straps to stop local butchers sharpening their knives upon it and wearing it down.
In 1870 the water supply from the Gaumless Fountain was taken over by the Barrowford Corporation, thus the old fountain went out of use, a proper piped supply came in to being throughout the village. The stone ediface originally had seperate troughs, one for human consumption, the other for horses, though this was soon considered unhygenic. The trough for horses was probably attached at the side. An iron spout just above the large stone trough allowed the water to flow down into the recepticle; it may have originally had an hand operated pump at the side and, apparently a lamp on top of the wall that was supported on cast iron scrolls. In 1911 the stone trough was replaced by a new granite one and then sold to a Blacko farmer who placed it in a field where his livestock used it for drinking out of. There it remained untill about 2006 when a local man, Mr Ian Wainman, discovered it again and arranged for it to be bought back.
The parish Council along with Pendle Borough Council decided to restore it and in 2007 the old Gaumless was brought back to it's original position, Fountain Square. A new stone wall was built at the back of the trough but every care was taken to make sure it was identical to the original, and a new iron spout was fitted and a plaque placed on the side of the fountain wall along with a green notice board on the front that now informs us about prohibiting the pollution of the town's drinking water.
Some remarkable healing claims were attributed to the water that issued from the Gaumless. It was claimed that all manner of illnesses could be cured by the water including muscular aches and pains, distemper, gout, rabies, colic and other bowel problems. It was also claimed to be good for nervous conditions, cooling of the blood, oh and hangovers! Even young children could drink the water. It was great for the lovelife!
I was told by a local man in Colne that he recalled the fountain's water supply tasting of sulphur and having a yellowish hue - though perhaps he was recalling another trough or well that stood close by up the hill on the opposite side of Gisburn road ?
Today the Gaumless Fountain still stands triumphant in Fountain Square, but alas, it is now used as a flower trough. Just opposite there stands another basin-like fountain and trough that was set up to mark the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary - the inscription to that effect is quite poignant, though like the Gaumless this does not now flow with water, but holds flowers instead.
The Gaumless Fountain was mentioned in The Annals of Barrowford by Jesse Blakey, and, more recently by local author John Clayton in his book Central Barrowford The Illustrated Pocket History Series, Barrowford Press 2009.
Edited by - Sunray10 on 13/05/2011 21:32:47
Edited by - Sunray10 on 13/05/2011 21:34:57
R.Spencer.
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Sunray10
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 Posted - 12/05/2011 : 23:30
The old Gaumless Fountain was erected in what became Fountain Square on Gisburn Road, Barrowford, in 1847, to supply clean drinking water to West Hill and Old Row.
R.Spencer.  |
Sunray10
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Posted - 13/05/2011 : 21:50
The newly restored Gaumless Fountain that is now a flower trough stands at the entrance to Fountain Square, Barrowford. It was restored and erected here by Barrowford Parish Council in 2006-7.
R.Spencer. |
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The Gaumless Fountain, Barrowford. The History Of
