A brief history by our founder, Thelma Seear.

I founded The Fountain Society in 1986 because Great Britain was seriously under-fountained. There was increasing concern for the environment but fountains were the Cinderellas of our national heritage. The Society was formed to work for the restoration of fountains and cascades of aesthetic merit, and for the creation of new fountains and water features for public enjoyment. It was also dedicated to the study of fountains in the UK and overseas.

The inaugural meeting was held in London on 30 April 1986, the day of the Chernobyl disaster. Everything was wiped off the nine o'clock news apart from this tragedy in Russia and the formation of the Fountain Society.

We are privileged to have HRH The Prince of Wales as our President. He sent this message to the inaugural meeting:

“There is no doubt that fountains give great pleasure to an enormous number of people. The sight and sound of water playing on and over sculpture settings have delighted people through the ages, and I have myself always been under its spell.

The formation of The Fountain Society will I hope help to encourage the conservation and restoration of existing fountains. It will also promote the wider use of fountains for public enjoyment in the design of new buildings and open spaces.

The Society will have succeeded in part when many more of the existing fountains throughout the country are seen to be in good working order and playing on all appropriate occasions. It will have succeeded fully when many more fountains are playing in or near buildings and in open spaces to enhance the beauty of our national heritage.

I sincerely hope I will be able to make a contribution towards the achievement of this aim, so therefore I warmly commend the aims and activities of The Fountain Society and wish it every success.”

Charles

The Society was launched on the platform of a survey of fountains in our village of central Westminster with proposals for new ones. We set off in high profile with the major project as a tribute to HM The Queen in Parliament Square. In February 1987 Her Majesty approved the creation of the Queen's Fountain. Planning permission was granted for the fountain but later, in view of the current political climate, Her Majesty decided against the raising of funds for the project by public subscription.

Subsequently the Society has actively pursued the conservation and creation of fountains, cascades and water features in the UK. With the advantage of modern technology we are able to create computer controlled displays of water and lighting to make the mark of our own age. We have consultative status for planning applications for fountain and water feature projects. We have also administered the Marsh Trust Awards for the best new fountains, restorations and the most innovative use of water.

The Society has given technical advice on the conservation and the siting, construction, lighting and maintenance of fountains and water features, and continues to do so.

The study of fountains historically and geographically has been made since the formation of the Society with annual conferences in Cambridge, lectures, presentations and visits to the studios of eminent fountain designers.

Now we have seen a renaissance of fountains in our country and we have fountain designers who rank among the best in the world. Much work and commitment is needed for this renaissance to flourish. We seek the support and involvement of everyone with an interest in fountains and their sparkling contribution to our national heritage.

Thelma Seear
May 2007

Those responsible for directing and running the Society

PRESIDENT & VICE PRESIDENTS

  • President: HRH The Prince of Wales KG KT GCB OM
  • Vice-President: The Duke of Westminster KG CB OBE TD CD DL
  • Vice-President: The Duchess of Northumberland
  • Vice-President: Lord Aberdare
  • Vice-President: The Earl of Mansfield DL JP

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

  • Chairman: Peter Brown
  • Vice-Chairman: Roger Westbrook
  • Hon. Secretary: Ian Hay-Campbell
  • Hon. Treasurer: Andrew Hamilton FCA
  • Founder: Thelma Seear
  • Alan Bradley
  • Bryan Hirst
  • Craig Humphreys
  • Anne Mallinson
  • Tony Mott
  • Peter Sutherland