Sorry, The Voice has not got it quite right about the Johnson Drinking Fountain (October 14).
It was not installed in Hall Place in 1874 “as a bid” by Miss Mary Anne Johnson (not Mrs) to bring fresh water to the people of Spalding.
It was erected by the Spalding Water Works Company as a mark of gratitude to her for bearing the entire cost of laying water mains along the three or four principal roads in Spalding, and thus bringing pure spring water from Bourne within reach of the poor, previously dependent on more or less contaminated well water.
The death rate until then had been horrendous, particularly amongst children, many of whom never reached the age of five.
Spalding and District Civic Society is only awaiting the fountain’s return to the town centre to install a blue plaque commemorating the outstanding benefactions to the town of the two Johnson sisters.
John Charlesworth
Spalding
