Wednesday 13 April 2011

Belcher Drinking Fountain in Geelong, Victoria, Australia made in Derby by Andrew Handyside in 1874.

Andrew Handyside who made Friar Gate bridge also made lots of decorative fountains. These fountains were made right here in Derby at the Duke Street Foundry "Britannia Iron Works".

Andrew Handyside exported many decorative fountains around the world during the Victorian era.
The Britannia Foundry's work was well known for its fine quality so these fountains can be found all over the globe but where exactly they are located is difficult to find out.
Thankfully because of my research here people are beginning to contact me with details of Handyside work, I am then able to add it to my world map. It really helps my research being able to use Flickr to see these items for myself and share these finds with the world!

Right here at the junction of Malop Street and Gheringhap Street in Geelong, Victoria, Australia there proudly stands a great creation by Andrew Handyside. The Belcher Drinking Fountain was presented to the Town of Geelong by retiring Mayor Councillor GF Belcher in 1874.

This particular design of fountain is listed as Design Number 48 on Page 40 of the 1879 publication "An Illustrated book of Designs for Fountains and Vases, costing from £1 to £1200 manufactured by Andrew Handyside".This very same fountain (but not in as good condition) can be found in the grounds of St Pancras Old Church in London, UK.

Doesn't it make you feel proud that on the other side of the planet stands this decorative fountain that has clearly been cared for the last 137 years. And to think this was made in Derby and I doubt there are many people in Derby that know this fact, until now that is !!!

Read about George Frederick Belcher (1823-1909).

Photographs of this fountain:

Photograph of Belcher Fountain in Geelong, Victoria, Australia:
The Belcher Drinking Fountain in Geelong, Australia 4 of 6

Another photograph of Belcher Fountain in Geelong, Victoria, Australia :
The Belcher Drinking Fountain in Geelong, Australia 2 of 6

Photograph of drinking spouts on the Belcher Fountain in Geelong, Victoria, Australia :
The Belcher Drinking Fountain in Geelong, Australia 1 of 6

Photograph of cupid figure and lantern on the top of the
Belcher Fountain in Geelong, Victoria, Australia :
The Belcher Drinking Fountain in Geelong, Australia 5 of 6

Photograph of plaques on the Belcher Fountain in Geelong, Victoria, Australia :
The Belcher Drinking Fountain in Geelong, Australia 6 of 6

I would like to thank Peter Williams for taking the above photographs for me.

Google Streetview of the Belcher Drinking Fountain in Geelong.

Map Location:
View my Andrew Handyside World Map to see the exact location of this fountain on the world map. My world map is the result of hundreds of hours of research into the company, plotting out each item as I find it.

Does anyone out there have a short video of this fountain that they care to share on YouTube?


Can you help find more Andrew Handyside stuff ?
If anyone out there knows of any other Fountains around the world bearing the Handyside badge that I have not mentioned yet then please get in touch with details, location, photographs etc.

Thanks
Andy

Tuesday 5 April 2011

Swingbridge at Castletown Harbour, Isle of Man made by Andrew Handyside.

Andrew Handyside who made Friar Gate bridge in Derby also made many hundreds of other bridges of many different sizes around the world such as this swinging footbridge at Castletown Harbour in the Isle of Man which is still in use today.

This footbridge was built in Derby at Britannia Iron works by Andrew Handyside and Company Derby and London in 1903 at a cost of £414. This Victorian bridge is still in constant use 107 years later, moving out of the way to allow boats to enter the harbour.!

Castletown Harbour swingbridge, made in Derby !
The Swingbridge at Castletown Harbour, Isle of Man.

Photograph showing the bridge from the side:
The Swingbridge at Castletown Harbour, Isle of Man.

Photograph showing the Handyside badge on this bridge:
Handyside plaque on the Swingbridge at Castletown Harbour, Isle of Man.

Photograph showing the Mechanism that moves the bridge:
Mechanism on the Swingbridge at Castletown Harbour, Isle of Man.

Photograph showing the walkway over the bridge :
The Swingbridge at Castletown Harbour, Isle of Man.
I would like to thank Sue M2009 for taking these photographs for me to add to
my Andrew Handyside group.

Click HERE to see where this bridge is located.

Can you help find more Handyside stuff ?
If anyone out there knows of any other bridges around the world bearing the Handyside badge that I have not mentioned yet then please get in touch with details, location, photographs etc.

Thanks
Andy