KIRKCALDY CIVIC SOCIETY

Saturday 9th March 2002 saw the unveiling by Mrs Margaret Dean, Lord Lieutenant of Fife, of the restored Victorian Drinking Water Fountain in Abbotshall Churchyard.

During 1999 the society was approached by a publishing company asking if we were interested in producing a book about Kirkcaldy and stated that we would receive profit from the sales of the publication.

The committee took on the project and a sub-committee was formed to decide what to do with the profits.

It was eventually decided that we would try and restore the old drinking fountain in Abbotshall Churchyard.

Research gradually provided information about the history of the fountain.

We think it may have been erected during the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

The top section of the fountain was missing and we thought it might have been thrown away when it broke off from the main body and, over the years, might have been covered by earth. A metal detector was used to see if we could find the missing top but the search was unsuccessful.

The Saracen Foundry, Glasgow, manufactured the fountain to a MacFarlane patent. The Mitchell Library in Glasgow holds the design catalogue.

ORDER OF CEREMONY

11.15 - Piper plays as the company gathers by the fountain

11.30 - Welcome speech by Mrs Ann Watters, Chair of KCS

11.45 - Unveiling ceremony, the fountain is blessed, further speeches

12.05 - Piper plays to close the event

12.15 - A buffet lunch held in Abbotshall Church Hall

It is interesting to note that 2002 was Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee.

'Kirkcaldy Remembered'

- our Millennium Project

Before

After