Maesteg: Drinking fountain

I’ve only been to Maesteg, a town at the northern end of the Llynfi Valley in south Wales, a couple of times, and then only to look for dragonflies at some local ponds. However, when I was there earlier this week, I had a little time to kill before catching my train home, so enjoyed a short walk around the town centre. 

Maesteg is this year celebrating its 200th anniversary, and has some impressive historic buildings; I really must take the time to explore further. 

On this occasion though, what immediately caught my eye was this monument in the town ‘square’ (it’s actually more of a triangle), situated at the intersection of three streets and located immediately in front of the former Town Hall. 

This was once a functioning drinking fountain, and has been designated by CADW, the Welsh government’s historic environment service, as a Grade II-listed monument, labelled the William Hopkin Thomas memorial lamp and fountain. From the CADW website listing, the exterior is described as follows:

Pink polished granite with grey granite. A die raised on two stepped plinths, having water basins on 2 sides and the back and front inscribed recording the erection to William Hopkin Thomas, doctor, local benefactor and chair of the local eisteddfodau, one side in English, the other in Welsh. The die has delicate etched decoration and is gabled, and carries a cylindrical terminal domed structure supporting a heavy cast iron cross which once carried three fine lamps. 

When I got home, a search of the Welsh Newspapers online website, revealed several newspaper articles describing the fountain’s presentation to the people of Maesteg. This is from the South Wales Daily News, published on 28 November 1900:

LATE DR. W.H. THOMAS. J.P.
PUBLIC MEMORIAL AT MAESTEG.
A drinking fountain in memory of the late Dr. W. H., Thomas, Bronygarn, was presented to the public of Maesteg on Tuesday. The structure cost over £200, and stands in the most central position in the town, near the Town Hall, North's Memorial Hall, and the railway stations. Flights of steps in Forest of Dean stone lead to a landing eight feet square, upon which stands the fountain proper, which is of solid granite (swede red). Surmounting the structure is a standard for three lamps. The whole work reflects the greatest credit upon Mr J. L. Jenkins, the contractor, and Mr W. H. Rees, architect. There are two drinking basins fitted with aluminium cups and chains. On the eastern side of the fountain is the following inscription:—"Erected by public subscription as a memorial of William Hopkin Thomas, J.P., M.D., M.R.C.S., Maesteg—a man valued by all for his professional skill, respected for his integrity and uprightness, beloved for his geniality and kindness of heart." On the opposite side is a similar inscription in Welsh.
At the ceremony of presenting the memorial to the public there was an exceedingly large gathering. The Rev. Stephen Jackson, vicar of Llangynwyd, the Rev. Iorwerth Jones, chairman of the Executive Committee, Mr Thomas Rees (Hen BIwyf), and Mr Rees Rees, D. C., spoke of the good work done by the late Dr. Thomas. The Vicar of Llangynwyd then, on behalf of the committee, presented the drinking fountain to the public. Mr D. Beynon, J. P., chairman of the District Council, formally accepted the gift, and the assembly sang “Hapus Dyrfa” to the tune St. Garnon, Mr S. Davies, G. and L., conducting. Mr Stephen Lewis acted as clerk of works gratuitously. 

Dr Thomas was obviously a much loved and well respected pillar of the Maesteg community so I looked also for an obituary. The following was published in the South Wales Daily News, on 14 April 1899, and included a sketch of the man himself:

DEATH OF DR. THOMAS, J.P., MAESTEG
Dr. W. H. Thomas, of Maesteg, died suddenly at noon on Thursday. He had been out visiting patients with his son from 8.30 in the morning, and returned to his residence, Bronygarn, about 11.15. He was preparing to go out again to the upper district when he complained of internal pains, indicating heart trouble, from which he had suffered. He yielded to his son's persuasion to take a little rest, and was about re-entering the house from the backyard when he was seized with faintness. He suddenly became unconscious and died almost immediately in his son's arms. Dr. Frost, the assistant, was sent for, but the deceased gentleman was beyond human aid. We understand this was the fourth attack of a similar character which he had experienced during the last five years. The deceased was a son of the late Mr Thomas Thomas, grocer, Maesteg, and was 58 years of age. He was a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England and M.D. of St. Andrews University. After taking his degrees he spent two years in Ebbw Vale and then came to Maesteg, where he acquired a large practice, patients visiting him from the adjacent valleys and also from the Rhondda. He was a justice of the peace, and a member of the Maesteg Council, heading the poll at the last contested election for the East Ward. He never took an active part in politics, but it was supposed that his vote generally went on the Conservative side. He was genial and generous, of cheerful disposition, quick and active in manner, and indefatigable in his labours. He was a strong patron of the Eisteddfod, and encouraged music and Welsh literature. He was for some time medical officer for Llangynwyd Higher, under the Neath Board of Guardians, and was also medical officer under the old Maesteg Local Board. He was chief surgeon and medical attendant of the workmen employed at Garth Merthyr Colliery and at Oakwood Colliery. Twice was he presented with a public testimonial, because he rendered a fair share of his services gratuitously. On the last occasion he received an illuminated address, an oil painting of himself beautifully framed, and a purse containing £600. He commenced his practice in Maesteg about the year 1867, and did conspicuous service during the cholera epidemic which occurred about that time. He leaves a wife and seven children. One of his daughters was to have been married to Dr. Kirkby, of Glyn-corrwg, on Wednesday next. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved family. The funeral arrangements are not yet known, but it is likely that the interment will be at the parish church-yard of Llangynwyd, where his parents are buried.

It seems a great shame to me that this drinking fountain is no longer in usable condition. 

You would think it would be possible to reconnect the water pipes, refurbish the connections within the monument, and remove the granite slabs that have been placed above the basins.

In these days of drought and heatwaves, a free source of water would certainly benefit the local community, and the William Hopkin Thomas memorial lamp and fountain could then continue to be a functioning and useful tribute to the good doctor in whose honour it was commissioned.