Hendon, The Fountain c1960: A memory of Hendon

Hendon, The Fountain c.1960

A Memory of Hendon.

In the 1900s the site of the 'Fountain' (Frith H397067) was then known as 'The Burroughs Pond' and was/is sited at the crossroads of The Burroughs, Station Road and Watford Way, back then it was open ended at ground level so that horses could stop there for a drink; if they were towing a cart then that could be driven through too.
In the 1920s when the Watford Way was built up and improved for motor traffic the pond was enclosed by a low wall with open railings on top and encircled by pavement
In the 1940s during the war I used to go there with friends and we sailed our model yachts and motor boats.
In the photograph where you see the slabs surrounding the fountain, in the Forties that was the area of the water.
The fountain was in position and working in the early Fifties and was illuminated from below for the Queen's Coronation in 1953.

Contact Contributor

Added 27 October 2015

#338626

Comments & Feedback

I remember from the 1950s that there was still a horse trough at The Boroughs placed by the The Metropolitan Drinking Fountain and Cattle Trough Association. It was on the south east side just before the junction with Watford Way. There was another one locally in Bell Lane, I think.

By pmaidment1 on Sun Jan 15th 2017, at 11:06 am

Contact User

Report

Horse troughs, yes, there were a number of them around the district. During the war years there were a number of trades using 'horse-power' . . i.e. the local dust carts, the United Dairies, and Express Dairies milk floats, the LMS Goods delivery vehicles, also Mr. Kennedy, the local chimney sweep; a popular figure with his pony and trap. Also at the top of Bell Lane, just down from The Bell Public House and close to Bartlett's Fish and Chip (where one's purchase was wrapped in newspaper!) was an animal pound which would have been installed back in the Nineteenth Century for any stray sheep or goats etc, found wandering..

By Mr. Gerald Rickwood on Mon Apr 2nd 2018, at 11:45 am

Contact User

Report