The old Drinking Fountain that can be seen in Blake Gardens originally stood on the side of the Cornhill market place.
Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser 20 July 1881
HANDSOME GIFT During the past few days a handsome drinking fountain, of red Penrhyn granite, beautifully polished, has been erected in the south wall of the market-house, opposite St. Mary Street. It has two drinking cups, one on each side, the water being supplied through a spring valve. The following inscription appears in front in inlaid gilt letters:- ‘Presented to the town by Alfred Garratt Barham, 1881.’ The fountain was erected by Messrs Willis and Sons, builders and decorators, of St Mary’s Street.
It is not clear when the fountain was moved from the Cornhill/St Mary Street to the Blake Gardens, possibly around the mid-1920s when St Mary Street was being widened to allow more traffic. It was here by 1934 at least.
