Fountain

Bailiff Bridge Fountain.

Bailiff Bridge’s Fountain and Horse Drinking Trough was a large caved stone monument drinking fountain with an light at the top, this impressive fountain which was donated by Lady Janet Firth in 1911 for the people of Bailiff Bridge and was proudly sited opposite Firth’s Clifton House in the centre of Wakefield Road/slip off Bradford Road outside the Punch Bowl Hotel where they could be seen from their office windows. (Please see old photo of this impressive fountain thanks to John for this photo) In later years it was blamed for the increasing the number of accidents at this busy crossroad as it was said to obstruct the view for drivers.

I have heard reports from some people in the village said that it was originally lowered then moved slightly away from the junction before it was eventually removed altogether in 1962, before being tipped in a local Council yard at nearby Norwood Green, although there are some reports say it was tipped at the A58 Council site on the Halifax site of Rooke’s Lane? Sadly the removal of this great fountain didn’t have any effect on the number of accidents at this busy crossroads and still today despite the crossroads now having traffic lights the accidents keep occurring more and more often. (if only the fountain had been saved or even still there today)?

Do You Remember the Old Bailiff Bridge? I would love to hear from anybody who has fond or not so fond memories of Bailiff Bridge, Firths or surrounding area, or if you have any photos or maybe you know someone who could help in obtaining information of Bailiff Bridge?