Melton Mowbray Town Estate

As with water supplies, the state of public lighting varied considerably from place to place and Queen Victoria's Jubilees provided the opportunity to make improvements.

Melton had a drinking fountain with a lamp designed by George Smith of Glasgow to commemorate Victoria’s Golden Jubilee 1887. It graced the Market Place in Melton Mowbray. Costing £26 17s 10d and made of cast iron, the structure was supplied virtually ready for on-site erection by George Smith and Co, Ironfounders of Glasgow, with the installation work carried out by local builder C. Barnes, John Anderson plumber & glazier, and the Melton Mowbray Gas Light and Coke Company. However, the new fountain proved unpopular with the local tradesmen who successfully campaigned for its removal to the Play Close, where it remained until going for scrap during World War II.

Melton Times STORY – “100 years ago” (26/7/1985) Letter to Editor:

"Sundaynight I walked from Asfordby to Melton Mowbray, my chap saying he would take me to the Jubilee Fountain there’s been so much talk about. I put on my new gown and hat, but lor it was that dark we did not hurry, that it was groping to find our way and when we got to the fountain I couldn’t make out nowt but a black summit stuck in a puddle and some kids a slopping the water about. I says where the lamps and Jim, that’s his name, says as how gas is that thick through the purifine it won’t come up the pipes and they is going to have candles. I was drinking the Queen’s health in a drop of water out of the fountain when one of these younguns gives the can a tip as sent the water all over me and quick spoiled my new 6½d hat and ran down all over my new frock as cost me 9d.

Now I want to know who is going to pay for the ruination. Jim says ther’s a lot in it Townswardens, Gas Company and Jubilee Co. and Lighting Committee as kicks up a row over strodinary thickness of gasworks. Praps if you could mention it to your paper they’ll make a clection for a poor servant girl – Sally."