Local businesses and town councillors in Shanklin recently united to show their support of the launch of a campaign to re-connect the Old Village’s water fountain.
Shanklin Voluntary Youth Centre have been raising money in order to create ‘Memory Cards’, which will be sold locally to help fund the re-connection of the fountain and the restoration of the inscription above.
The inscription carries a special poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which was penned some 150 years ago. Longfellow spent 2 nights at Holliers Hotel in the Summer of 1868 but it is when he was staying at The Crab opposite that he wrote:
‘O traveller, stay thy weary feet;
Drink of this fountain pure and sweet;
It flows for rich and poor the same.
Then go thy way, remembering still
The wayside well beneath the hill,
The cup of water in his name.’
Mark Watson, who has designed the cards, has said:
“The History of the Fountain, outlined on the cards, highlights the importance the village placed on the Fountain, prominence of the Crab and Pencil Cottage, as well as welcome to visitors and residents alike”.
Mayoress Esther Knight has said:
“Following the Town’s renovation of the War Memorial, installation of commemorative benches and the renewal of the Town Clock and Chimes, it would be a great ‘well-come’ for visitors to our iconic Old Village”.
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It is hoped that the re-connection of the fountain to supply free drinking water will encourage residents and visitors alike to refill bottles, reducing single-use plastics in Shanklin.
Shanklin Town Council will discuss the project in October, with plans for the works to be completed by Easter 2019.
