John Talbot Clifton Memorial Drinking Fountain

To the left of the Ballam road just to the left of the bridge as you leave Lytham is a curious little monument. I believe this was once called Sparrow parkThis is the Drinking Fountain Memorial to John Talbot Clifton erected about 1882 by his wife Lady Eleanor Cecily Clifton. This was originally sited in what is now the place of the Lytham War Memorial in Hastings Place. 

The Drinking Fountain is slightly to the left of centre. Not sure of the date of this picture but it must have been before 1922 ish, because the War Memorial was erected about this time on this place. If you examine the picture closely you will see that little has changed. Stringers is still in the same place. The tram tracks are clearly visible, The rest of the iron work is still there too.

 

I do not know when the water fountain was moved but it certainly now has an air of neglect. Slates are loose or lost. The odd bit of graffiti. Seems a shame that all this appeal to save Lytham Hall does not seem to have spread to this unique memorial. There is a reference to the Late Colonel Clifton here.

From the Bridge that goes over the railway

'TIS WELL 'TIS SOMETHING WE MAY STAND WHERE HE IN ENGLISH EARTH IS LAID

ELEANOR CECILY CLIFTON ERECTED THIS FOUNTAIN

IN MEMORY OF HER HUSBAND JOHN TALBOT CLIFTON

"Mortem aut triumphum" - Death or Victory. The left side of the coat of Arms is the Clifton Coat of Arms. The Right hand side the Lowther Coat of Arms.

WHO DIED AT HAMMAN RHEA ALGIERS APRIL 16 1882

Lytham Station as was but now a wine bar/restaurant. The trains still run down the single track. But the exit is at either end of the old station buildings.

Horse Trough

View from the station