The 19th century Pant fountain was erected in 1886 close to the junction between Snows Green road and Front Street in Shotley Bridge. The installation of the Pant fountain was a way to mark the arrival of piped water into the Shotley Bridge.
The drinking fountain that was removed from the village more than 60 years ago, but now it is set to return as a replica.
The original fountain can be seen at Beamish Mueseum where it ended up after being removed from Shotley Bridge around 60 years ago.
Money invested in the community by developer Story Homes and the local authority have made the new replica installation possible. A local partnership came up with the idea of a replica to replace the removed fountain when considering how to spend the invested money.
Classic Masonry Ltd, a North East firm was commissioned to produce a stone likeness of the original, which now has pride of place in the village.
On Thursday 12 May, the replica Pant fountain will be unveiled in a special ceremony.
Representatives from the various partners will be attending the ceremony, this will include representatives from Story Homes, Shotley Bridge Village Trust, Benfieldside, Blackhill, Bridgehill and Shotley Bridge Community Partnership, Beamish Museum, Durham Constabulary, St Cuthbert’s Church, local businesses and county council members and staff.
Cllr Neil Foster, the council’s portfolio holder for economic regeneration, said:
“It is really positive to see so many people and organisations coming together to deliver the schemes across Shotley Bridge.
“The installation and unveiling of the replica Pant is a great way to celebrate community pride in their village and the regeneration work that local people have led.”
