Restoration of Kingston Drinking fountains

Yesterday we celebrated the unveiling of the Victoria Recreation Ground drinking fountain in Kingston with local residents and Kingston Council.

There were speeches from HOLT Director Dr Nicola Stacey and Mayor Cllr Noel Hadjimichael. 

The Mayor cut the ribbon and filled the first bottle of fresh water from the fountain for many years.

Local residents and council members joined the celebration in support of the project:

“It’s lovely to see it restored and people can use it again. It looks fabulous. I think it’s great after being not in use for so many years. And I really hope it’s used and I’m sure it will be, especially in the summer. To think we used it as children, and my husband as well! It’s just nice to see it up and working again. Brilliant.”

—June, local resident of Kingston borough

Cllr Yogan Yoganathan also commented:

"The Victoria Recreation Ground is very unique to me. We look after it. We are doing excellent developments, new cafes and walkways—we have to be inclusive. People were telling me they're struggling because in summertime, families come through. It's part of community, children and lifting up everything.”

The fountain is Heritage of London Trust's 18^th drinking fountain restoration to date. HOLT and Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames have also restored the King Edward Recreation ground fountain back to working order, see more of our fountain restorations here.