Herbert Unwin - Sandford Park, Cheltenham, UK
N 51° 53.771 W 002° 04.239
30U E 563947 N 5749899
This fountain, erected as a memorial to Herbert Unwin, is in Sandford Park close to the College Road entrance.
Waymark Code: WMKE1C
Location: Southern England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/28/2014
Views: 3
There is an inscription carved into the stone surround of the fountain that reads:
1925
This fountain was erected
to the memory of
Herbert Unwin of Arle Court
by his children
The fountain is surrounded by grassed areas and flower beds and has paved footpaths leading to it. The reservoir is surrounded by a low stone wall with the main part of the fountain being at its centre.
The water emanates from the top of the centrepiece that has three levels. The lower level is adorned with cherubs with their back to the middle of the piece. There is some fine stone carving below the centre level that is saucer-shaped with four fish placed around the rim. Water falls from the fish back into the reservoir. The upper, and most finely carved section, has birds, possibly flamingos, with another, smaller saucer above their heads. The water from the low jet fills the saucer and flows down over the birds into the large central saucer.
The Manor by the Lake website tells us a little about Herbert Unwin and one of the places he lived at - Arle Court:
Herbert Unwin, a Derbyshire born, Yorkshire businessman who had been living in Dowdeswell Court, purchased the house and estate in 1904. He maintained it in a grand style and was particularly considerate to his staff. As a lover of hunting and a great supporter of the Cotswold Hunt, changes were made to the grounds – stable and kennels were added, as were glass houses and conservatories, and obviously some changes occurred inside the house and his initials can still be seen above the first floor landing. He was also responsible for adding the billiard room for that use. He died in 1925 but his widow and family continued to live there until 1934.