A bid to reinstate the Victoria jubilee fountain in Knaresborough has suffered a major blow, despite a successful fundraising campaign.
Knaresborough Civic Society hoped to restore the fountain, which was built in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s 50th anniversary.
The society raised £6,000 and held talks with the owner of the private land where the fountain currently lays about moving it.
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But the land changed hands shortly before the fundraising campaign and the new owner has refused to release it.
James Monaghan, chair of Knaresborough Civic Society, confirmed the news in a letter to the town council. He wrote:
“It is with tremendous regret that we write to you to confirm we see no option but to return donations.
“Despite our best efforts, a strong desire and the generosity of Knaresborough residents it appears no progress can be made with the owner of the land.
“As such, we have decided to return the money raised to the donors. We also relinquish any request for funds reserved by Knaresborough Town Council.
“It is with an extremely heavy heart that we have reached this decision.
“Should the situation change we would be delighted to play our part restoring this key part of Knaresborough’s history.”
Mr Monaghan has delayed the return of the funds until February 28 in the hope that Knaresborough Town Council will be able to remedy the situation.
History of the fountain
Residents of Knaresborough bought the fountain in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee.
It was originally built on the High Bridge near the entrance to Mother Shipton’s cave and provided spa water from Bilton.
The fountain was later decommissioned and planted with flowers then in the latter half of the 20th century it was removed and deposited on private land.
In 2016 the previous owner of the land reached out to a local history group to try to put the fountain back in public hands.
The civic society planned to reinstate the fountain on Gracious Street, next to the Methodist church.
It aimed to raise the fountain with a plinth, replace the missing brass plaque and to replumb it as well.
But the fountain now faces an uncertain future.
