Fountain granted Grade II listing

An Essex town's 1970s fountain has been granted a Grade II listing.

The civic fountain in Southend-on-Sea, was listed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England.

A spokesperson for Historic England said the feature was a "rare surviving example" of a public fountain by well-known architectural sculptor, William Mitchell.

The fountain was part of a Civic Centre complex created in 1967 which included a 16-storey council office block, a college, police headquarters and courthouse.

A civic square was designed to form the "central heart" of the scheme with a round pool and fountain.

The fountain has panels which depict the story of Southend’s nautical and religious history.

It has three sculptural stone panels, which stand in a circle in a round pool.

A spokesperson for Historic England said: "The imagery represents the motto of Southend-on-Sea ‘Per Mare Per Ecclesiam’ which means 'through the sea, through the church' and the city’s coat of arms."

The south facing panel has a bearded religious figure on its outward face, possibly representing St Clement.

There is also a hooded monk-like figure on its inward face which could represent the Cluniac Priory of St Mary, Prittlewell, added the spokesperson.

Eilíse McGuane, Historic England's listing advisor, said: “This exciting sculptural work was an integral part of the post-war renewal of Southend-on-Sea."

"It is a rare surviving example of a public fountain by William Mitchell, one of the most celebrated sculptors of the late 20th Century."

Follow Essex news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830