Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 23 March 2015 14:43
The Renfrewshire Council-led scheme is on the shortlist for the Restoration and Conservation category in the Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence.
The intricate cast-iron structure – notable for its distinctive walrus sculptures – is one of Paisley’s architectural treasures and the centrepiece of the town’s Fountain Gardens since 1868.
But it fell into disrepair until a year-long project saw it painstakingly brought back to life last summer.
The fountain is sitting in illustrious company - as it will compete for the award with schemes run by the Bletchley Park World War Two heritage site and London’s Tate gallery.
Overall, the Grand Fountain was one of only four Scottish projects to make the shortlist, from a total of 58 nominations from across the UK and abroad. The awards will be announced at a ceremony in London later this month.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Mark Macmillan said: “We are thrilled to see our project recognised at a UK level alongside international tourist attractions visited by millions of people every year.
“The Grand Fountain is among the finest examples of Paisley’s stunning architectural heritage – and having been gifted to the town by the Coats family, there is a thread linking it with our proud past at the heart of the world’s textile industry.
“It is that historical importance which sits at the heart of our ambitious plans to use culture and heritage to spearhead Renfrewshire’s regeneration over the next decade, including a bid for UK City of Culture status in 2021.
“That project is driven by our knowledge that Paisley has assets and appeal of international significance and interest – and we want the world to know it.
“Being nominated for an award like this is proof the world is starting to take notice.”
The £650,000 project was also funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Historic Scotland – and delivered with help from local groups Friends of the Fountain Gardens and the STAR Project.
The fountain was dismantled and taken away to Wigan in the north of England to be painstakingly restored to its original deep-red colour and condition, then reassembled to full working order on site last summer.
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