Photos of this lovely celebration by David Lindsay: photosbydavid.co.uk
Information and story of the Ilkley Fountain: Ilkley Fountain
Juliet’s words at the Ilkley Fountain opening today:
“We’re slowly getting used to actually seeing the fountain in its home at the top of Brook Street, and it feels a long time ago now since Jamie and I submitted our design to the Improving Ilkley competition. It’s been a wonderful opportunity in two main ways. Firstly, the partnerships, both with the Improving Ilkley team and with James Wilkinson, have been very collaborative and Jamie and I have appreciated that. Secondly, the process has also been an opportunity for me to learn more about and reflect on the inspiration for our design – Sphagnum Moss.
I remember finding out about the competition at an Ilkley Arts event in 2022. Improving Ilkley’s vision to bring back to life this gravity-fed Victorian fountain immediately brought Sphagnum Moss into my mind as inspiration for a design. Sphagnum Moss was one of the earliest plants to evolve on the planet around 350 million years ago. It is particularly celebrated for its ability to filter and absorb water and store large amounts of carbon. The connection which sphagnum has with the very same moorland water which would flow through the fountain made me want to pay tribute to it and its role in Ilkley’s history as a spa town. From purifying the water, to carbon storage, to flood prevention to supporting biodiversity, and even to being made into naturally antiseptic wound dressings in wars throughout history, sphagnum moss is associated with healing and ecological balance.
Any public art can be said to be an expression of a moment in time. With this design, which links the moor above to the town and river below, Jamie and I hoped to celebrate the energy of all the local groups which work to protect the precious natural habitats which we’re so lucky to live alongside. None of us in the team anticipated, however, how resonant the sound of the water would be as it flows through the fountain. It’s joyful and has a sense of hope. But it also seems to be an expression, in its own organic way, of the urgency for ever more care and reciprocity towards the natural world. It’s been a privilege to be part of bringing back this fountain and its voice. Thank you so much to Improving Ilkley and to everyone for the support.”
All images by David Lindsay including the one below of students who came down from the local secondary school, Ilkley Grammar School, to the opening event.
Information and history of the fountain: Ilkley Fountain
