Restoration begins on historic Surrey Street drinking fountain

The London Stone Conservation team on site at the historic Surrey Street drinking fountain

Restoration work has begun on the historic Surrey Street drinking fountain in Croydon this week.

This historic Victorian fountain has been out of repair for many years, offering no fresh water for local residents and passers by. We have started work this week on a full restoration project: cleaning, poulticing, repairing joints and returning drinking water to the lion’s mouth, via a new push-button above.

The fountain was originally erected in 1896 and unveiled by the Mayor of Croydon, Frederick Thomas Edridge (1843-1921). Surrey Street is one of the oldest street markets in the UK dating from 1276. This drinking fountain on its junction with Croydon’s High Street was part of the Victorian redevelopment programme to widen the street. Heritage of London Trust’s focus on Surrey Street was one of the catalysts for a major Croydon Council redevelopment and investment programme in the market. The scheme aims to drive growth, reactivate empty shops and spaces so they can be used by culture, arts and community groups and create safer, greener public spaces.

We’re thrilled the historic Surrey Street drinking fountain can be part of this wider regeneration programme.

The project, supported by Croydon Council and the Jones Day Foundation, takes place through June 2025. Local young people will be involved in the restoration through our youth engagement programme, Proud Places.

Proud Places young ambassador speaks at the House of Lords

Dr Nicola Stacey, Ife Davies, John Phillips, Destine Pinzi, Sir Laurie Magnus and Zoe Craig

Destine chats to Nicola Stacey after completing her My Maiden Speech presentation

Destine shows off her My Maiden Speech certificate from the Speakers Trust.

Proud Places ambassador Destine Pinzi gave an inspiring speech about her work with Heritage of London Trust at the House of Lords last week.

‘Proud Places demonstrates the difference acts of support can make. It has helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect, such as speaking in a room in Parliament, and leading workshops.

Destine supported HOLT as a volunteer in 2023 and 2024 and was made a Proud Places ambassador in 2024.

‘One of the most powerful experiences I’ve had through the Proud Places programme was leading a workshop on The Leaning Woman in Hammersmith. I learned about its sculptor, Karel Vogel, a refugee who fled to the UK during World War II. He rebuilt his life here and found success through art. Like me, he knew what it felt like to be out of place, and his story showed me the strength in resilience and self-expression.

‘During the workshops, I saw young students come in shy and unsure, and leave with pride and confidence. They didn’t just learn about Vogel; they related to him. They created art, wrote poems, and uncovered stories about their own area they’d never known. Watching that transformation reminded me how powerful it is when people feel seen, supported, and proud of where they come from.

‘The Proud Places programme helped me connect with my community by sparking my interest in local events and the history behind where I live.’

Destine took part in the My Maiden Speech event, organised by the Speakers Trust, an opportunity for talented young people to represent different youth charities and speak on a subject they are passionate about. Each attended a workshop about writing and delivering speeches and were provided with the tools, feedback and tips to develop their speeches ahead of last week's event. Destine’s speech was greeted with warmth and admiration by members of the audience who instantly came to share their love of their own local heritage with her.

Eleven young speakers from charities such as London Wildlife Trust, Lord's Taverners, Just Like Us, Voice 21 and The Brilliant Club spoke on a range of topics including mental health, diversity and participation in education and sports. In the audience were Members of the Lords, MPs, community leaders, business leaders and young people.

Congratulations to all the inspiring young people who took part. Special thanks to the Speakers Trust for developing this event; to the Westminster Foundation for their support; and the Jones Day Foundation for their support of the Proud Places programme.

Restoration work begins on historic Coronation Gardens drinking fountain

Restoration work has begun on the historic Coronation Gardens drinking fountain in Southfields, Wandsworth. Read more about the project in the press here.

Stonemason Florian Kirchertz and his team from London Stone Conservation have started work, dismantling the pink granite structure and reconnecting the fountain to a fresh water supply. This exciting restoration project includes fixing the fountain’s base and restoring the ornamental bowl.

In addition, a brand-new, beautiful bronze statue of the UK’s first professional female landscape gardener, Fanny Wilkinson, will be added to the fountain. Wilkinson was a feminist pioneer who was responsible for laying out more than 70 parks and gardens in London, including, fittingly, Coronation Gardens itself. Read more about Wilkinson in this Guardian article: 'She changed the face of London': statue to be unveiled of suffragist gardener.

Local sculptor Gillian Brett is currently working on this inspiring art project.

Children from Riversdale Primary School listen as stonemason, Joe, talks about his work

School children examine a fork chisel tool on site at Coronation Gardens

As part of HOLT’s Proud Places programme young people from Francis Barber Pupil Referral Unit visited the project to learn about stonemasonry.

Teacher, Alberto, explained the impact the workshop had had on his students: ‘Isaiah doesn't normally engage in lessons anymore so the fact that he participated in the stone workshop is amazing.

'That he came back to do it again with the other class shows just how much he enjoyed it,’ Alberto said.

Arlo, aged 15, was particularly inspired by the Proud Places workshop: ‘I didn't really know much about stonemasons before today. But now I'm considering a career as a stonemason.’

Younger children from next door Riversdale Primary School were delighted to learn about the new statue of Fanny Wilkinson. ‘This will be a great way of remembering her,’ said Kenna, aged 7.

• Work on the Coronation Gardens drinking fountain is due to be completed in early July.