The Lightbown Fountain
The Lightbown Fountain was installed in Whitehall Park on October 14th 1886. Donated by Mayoress Mrs Alderman T. Lightbown (Alice Kay). The Lightbown Fountain gift to Whitehall Park, known at the time as Pleasure Gardens, had a cost of £200. Later Mrs Alderman T. Lightbown gifted the Lych Gate marking the boundary from Queens road to Whitehall Road entrance to the park.
The Lightbown Fountain base is set in stone towered with cast iron ornamental layered levels. The top has been lost to time however past photographs depict two cherubs on tip toe upon a plinth, embracing a central pole. The very top spindle had been discovered in the park and was restored by a park volunteer in 2023.
The next lower level consists of three fish, often interpreted as carp, entwined around the centre pole. The water collection dishes display decorative folds and leaf patterns.
Underneath this level the central pole transforms into an elaborate highly decorative lower plinth set upon a hexagonal layer.
Four scrolls and four arches stand strong as the feet of the base. With cast scrolling turns it captures a juxtaposition of the transition from straight solid lines to smooth, tight turns. Ending with the leaf patterned scroll ends to create a finishing cap. Some of which have also been lost to time. Each arch houses different sculptures of natural images.
The Lightbown fountain was gravity fed by water via an underground piping network system from a water source from the top of the park. The fountain is no longer connected to this water system, however many of the pipes remain underground. With the exception of a handful of these Victorian clay pipes that have been salvaged over the years. They have surfaced from the underground network due to heavy rain, flooding the parks water course over the years causing bank erosion.
The fountain had become over grown with tree seeds taking root in the two top tiers along side other weeds. A local mens mental health wellbeing group, Talk Ourselves Well, use the park for their regular meetings. This community group in 2022 successfully cleaned out the accumulated plant growth enhancing its attractive design once more.
The Lighbown family and their final resting place is in Darwen Cemetery plots 33, 34, 15 on section ‘A’.
Whitehall Park Supporters Group have actively searched for suitable funding to have the fountain restored but with very little success.
Photo Courtesy of Mr Gaz Fulton.
Park volunteers have successfully restored the water course overflow redirecting water back into the pond.
It is hoped that funding can be sought to restore the fountain and WPSG continue to search for funding to support this.
Photos courtesy of Mr Gaz Fulton.
Every effort by has been sought by Whitehall Park Supporters Group (WPSG) to trace all ownership of the images displayed on this website. Any infringements will be corrected by WPSG. All images are for the sole purpose of the park's historical and educational purposes. The images upon this website are not permitted for reproduction.