A £32,000 restoration project is to be carried out on the Aitken Memorial Fountain in Govan, Glasgow. The B listed fountain is an important Govan landmark which has fallen into disrepair in recent years.  It has now been taken away to be fully restored to its former glory.

Find out more about the restoration of the Aitken Memorial Fountain on the Clyde Waterfront website.

The fountain’s missing Cherub, known to most Govanites as the “Govan Baby”, disappeared over 20 years ago. The Govan Baby will be returned as part of the restoration works.

The restoration will include: stripping off the many layers of old paint; repairing the decorative features, columns and roof; reinstating the Govan baby; and painting the restored fountain. The water element of the fountain will not be restored.

The fountain is an important example of a 19th century cast iron structure.  This was a common way to build such structures back then, but today there are very few foundries left in Scotland that could carry out the repair works. Ballantine of Bo’Ness has been appointed as the specialist contractor who will carry out the works.  The fountain will remain in Bo’Ness until the new public realm at Govan Cross is nearly complete.

The fountain has been a focal point at Govan Cross for more than 125 years and was erected by the people of Govan in remembrance of Dr John Aitken who died at the young age of 42 in 1880.

John Gordon Aitken, Great Grandson of Dr John Aitken said “The family are honoured that our great grandfather was remembered for his hard work on behalf of the people of Govan and are extremely excited that his memorial is to be fully restored and will once again be the centre piece of Govan Cross.”

This project is being taken forward through Govan Cross Townscape Heritage Initiative a five-year heritage-led regeneration programme to restore and preserve Govan’s historic features.   The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Glasgow City Council.

Bailie Liz Cameron, Executive Member for Regeneration and the Economy at Glasgow City Council said “The Aitken Memorial Fountain is a well-loved landmark in Govan, and has been a feature of the area’s landscape since the 19th century. Its renewal will be yet another symbol for the regeneration of Govan, and I look forward to the fountain returning to Govan Cross.”

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland said: “The Aitken Fountain is such a prominent landmark in Govan, we are delighted to be able to help restore it. Once complete, it will not only be a beacon of the regeneration of the area but also a source of pride for those who live and work there.”

Source: GSWRA