Repaired fountain restores pride in city
Letters
DEAR Editor, The decision to restore ‘The River’ in Victoria Square to a fountain, rather than merely a planted artwork, must be applauded by all those who love our city and want it to be a world-class destination with interesting artworks on display, demonstrating confidence in our city.
That this impressive civic centrepiece was awarded ‘Fountain of the Year’ in 1995, by the Fountain Society, shows the national esteem in which the piece is viewed by those outside Birmingham.
The whole ensemble was designed to fit onto the sloping site, from Victoria Square to New Street, with a wonderfully impressive cascade from the upper pool, from where the water is designed to emanate and flow down to the lower pool, with the symbols of youth and eternity.
Even the top pool has references to water from the poem Burnt Norton by T S Eliot: “And the pool was filled with water of sunlight, And the lotos rose, quietly, quietly, The surface glittered out of heart of light, And they were behind us, reflected in the pool. Then a cloud passed, and the pool was empty.”
It should not be forgotten that water played a great part in the expansion of our great city, with the modernisation of waterworks under Joseph Chamberlain and the creation of the Elan Valley to supply water. It is therefore an important metaphor for all that is good in our city.
Conversely, the unfortunate mechanical problems that led to the draining of the fountain became a symbol for all that was bad with municipal governance and its concomitant lack of resources for essential maintenance.
The fountain being filled with soil and planted is to be regretted and has cast a shadow over the great civic heart of our city. The fact that nearby Dudley has restored its fine 152-year-old fountain is to be viewed with jealous eyes and Birmingham had succumbed to the English problem, that occurs in so many towns and cities across the kingdom, that fountains end up not working.
So, The River is to be restored in time for the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Congratulation to Council Leader Ian Ward and those of the city who have worked to make this happen.
To those who might say the money might have been better spent elsewhere, that is always a valid argument. However, we should all join together in welcoming the move and look forward to when our principal fountain flows once more, reflecting our civic pride in its waters.
Stephen Hartland
Chairman, Public Art Committee The Birmingham Civic Society