Water surprise- Tudor Square fountain is back (From Western Telegraph)

Water surprise- Tudor Square fountain is back

11:50am Sunday 19th August 2012 in News

A Tenby landmark has been restored to glory and returned to the town’s Tudor Square after an absence of 21 years.

The Dyster Memorial Fountain stood proudly – and inconveniently – in the centre of the square for well over a century before it fell foul of modern-day traffic.

Damaged by a lorry in 1991, it was put into storage by Tenby Town Council, which decided several years ago to arrange for its restoration.

A new home was identified for the structure as a pavement feature of Pembrokeshire County Council’s enhancement scheme for Tudor Square, and the fountain has now been put in place.

“We’re delighted to see the fountain back, at last,” said Tenby’s deputy mayor, Councillor Caroline Thomas. “It’s been a long project, but the end result is beautiful”.

The fountain – which originally provided drinking water for the public and horses – was given to Tenby by local doctor and benefactor, Frederick Dyster.

He served as mayor of the town, promoted Tenby Savings Bank, provided an organ for St Mary’s Church and built a women’s ward at the local hospital in memory of his wife.

He donated the fountain in memory of Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Wedgwood of St Mary’s Hill, Tenby – a Waterloo veteran and grandson of Josiah Wedgwood who founded the famous pottery of the same name – following his death in 1860.

The renovation of the fountain was carried out by Abbey Masonry of Cross Hands, and it has been given a new lighting column. It has also been connected to the water main to deliver a stream of water at the touch of a button.

The structure has also been welcomed back by Pembrokeshire County Council’s special projects manager, Rhodri Jenkins.

“It’s always been the plan to incorporate the fountain in the Tudor Square enhancement, and now it’s in place the whole scheme is complete,” he said.