A COMPANY renowned for its work on the likes of Buckingham Palace and St Paul’s Cathedral has completed the restoration of a historic drinking fountain in Staindrop.
The fountain, which was gifted to the village by Lady August Mary Poulett in 1865, had suffered serious corrosion and was in danger of toppling over before Staindrop Parish Council appointed Stone Technical Services, from Darlington, to repair it.
All of the replacement stone was sourced from nearby Dunhouse Quarry, including two central red sandstone sections, an ornamental fleur-de-lis and a missing decorative piece on the top of the structure.
The fountain was reassembled and reclaimed York stone was installed as a pavement leading up to the feature.
Brian Ellison, from Stone Technical Services, said there had been much local interest in the work.
He added: “There has been nothing but positive feedback.
“We’ve had a few people stopping to take photographs as well.”
Mr Ellison said the final work was a doff cleaning of the fountain.
The doff system uses high pressure steam to remove grime and carbonisation without damaging the stone.
The restoration was funded by Teesdale Action Partnership, Raby Estates and County Durham Community Foundation.
