Diana fountain

 Diana fountain, my views

Diana fountain, have you seen it? (technically its not even a fountain, its a water feature)  it cost £3.6 million, now as far as fountains go I have seen better fountains costing far less money. In my opinion i think it should be ripped out and a more suitable design chosen, why? look at it this way.

Its a fountain in a public park, but as you can see, it has no "walls", in fact people are encouraged to get in it, my "problems" with this are, its wet, yes the granite is not 100% smooth so affording some grip, but then how about next year, or when it freezes, how long before some poor kid slips and cuts their head open?

I wont mention the grass around the fountain, already it is looking worn out, how long before it turns to mud? (see further on down)

Dogs are not allowed in the fountain (as shown in the notice), but while i was there  i counted 2 in it, but who am I to say anything? (see further on down)

I know people will always get into fountains, but fountains that are designed to be "played in" should be 100% flat and level, this one isn't. In my opinion this fountain is dangerous and a waste of money.

Let me know what you think.

Update  23/7/04

As I predicted to date 3 people have had to go to hospital, the latest "victim" being a child with a head wound

The fountain has been closed down while an investigation is carried out.

It has not been without its problems, blocked pump, faulty equipment, and "gummed up" by leaves, all this and it only opened on July 7

I say "RIP IT OUT", fountains are fun, but not for playing in*

Update 3/08/04

It has been decided they after the recent "incidents" the public will be encouraged NOT to get in the fountain, it also may be made entrance by ticket only.

Pardon me for saying so, but isn't that what i said in the first place? Fountains are not for playing in (unless specially designed that way, which this one wasn't)

Update 12/08/04

Apparently Princess Diana's fountain is still not open to the public, but may be open next Monday (16th)

A leading architect (don't know who) has allegedly said that the fountain will be permanently shut within 6 months.

I say don't bother opening it. have a proper fountain, which will be for people to look at and admire, not to play in.

Update 20/08/04

The fountain has now opened (again) to the public, a few alterations have been made (lines cut in the surface to afford better grip (yeah right)

Also "wardens" will patrol the fountain to stop anyone from paddling running (hands are allowed)

Thing is these "wardens" will cost £100K/ p.a. even Trafalgar square fountains don't get that much attention.

I still say RIP THE FOUNTAIN OUT, build a proper fountain, not a water feature

Update 23/08/04

When I first started this page i said "I wont mention the grass around the fountain, already it is looking worn out, how long before it turns to mud?" Well, guess what, it is now being looked into resurfacing the area around the fountain because..................its turned into mud. allegedly a foreign visitor slipped on the mud and had to be taken to hospital

Rip the fountain out and put in a proper fountain!

Update 8/11/04

all is quiet, does that mean the "fountain" has gone?

Update 12/11/04

Perhaps I tempted fate, I hear that the "wardens" go fishing in the fountain, no not for fish, but leaves ,good idea to put the fountain there then (NOT) also the fountain is "regularly shut down" for maintenance and cleaning.

What did they expect, putting a fountain that is at ground level, near trees. (I am still waiting for the tree roots to start to lift the fountain, though that may be some years away)

I still say its not too late, rip it out and install a proper fountain

Update 10/1/05

It has been announced today that the fountain will now be shut until 1st May 2005, why, because they are going to change the turf and make it easier for wheel chair access.

Anyone with a bit of savvy would realise that you don't put GRASS around a fountain.

I wonder what they will do next? 

Update 12/04/05

I now hear they are putting plastic "astro turf" around the fountain, and also a fence, apparently the council is thinking of objecting to the fence (not that it will look nice) and the "remedial works" are costing £150,000 . for that money you could have built a proper fountain

Update 19/09/05

just had an email response

Jack Ward writes:

In regards to your page on the Diana Fountain, did you forget this fountain is a Memorial? Rip it out! No thanks

To that I say

Yes agreed, it is a memorial, but an expensive one that is nothing but dangerous and waste of money, as i have said, why not build a proper fountain? Say some one who visits it does not know who lady Diana was, how will they know who its a memorial to, there is not even a statue of Diana  there.

Just because you get something for free, does not mean that you have to like it

Would anyone else like to comment, either way ?

Sorry Mr Ward, looks like you are on your own with that one

March 2006

Remember the leaves that were blocking the fountain, and we mentioned they get fished out out the fountain, well, even more money has been spent on screens that were made in America, and shipped over to here, even more money. (don't believe me? see the manufacturers website then click me

Since i added this, we have had an email in from Robert K Weir, the owner of the company who supplied the screens

I am happier that the fountain will now work with leaves, (Mr Weir, also told us how the screens work) but it goes to show how badly thought out the fountain design is. (Nothing to do with Mr Weir and his company, infact I think we owe a big thank you to Mr Weir and his screens)

Update, March 2007

Latest is the leaves and grass are now staining the granite. what do you expect from a fountain that is made from granite and at ground level?

But i still say It all goes to show as  I said. What a waste of money this fountain is and will continue to be. Rip it out and build a proper fountain before this one takes a life.

I am not  a fountain designer, but I suggest a large round pool with a single but yet powerful jet in the centre.

It symbolises, Dianna, all on her own

It must be cheaper than the drainage system they call art now, and what did that certain designer do for her money?, talk to a few people and that was it. Marvellous, never an apology for the Gaff she made with the fountain, no just take the money and run.

Update, March 2007

Recent testing of the water quality has shown that it has harmful bacteria, around 100 times more than is "recommended" The cause of this harmful bacteria? dogs having a "poo" in the water. now if it were a proper fountain that would never happen.

As someone said "Poor Diana, she was sh*t on in life now she is sh*t on in death"

Please also note, this is not really a fountain, its a water feature, why not take it out and build a proper fountain?

Update, January 2008

Apparently the fountain has a leak, and it is starting to subside in some places, although the parks department are denying this. It has also been suggested that it be ripped out and a proper fountain installed...........er, hang on didn't I say that over 3 1/2 years ago?

You may also like to read this article and this article

Fountain  / water feature

You may have noticed that I have mentioned that the fountain is a water feature, not a fountain, how come?

Well in short, a fountain is where water (usually)  shoots up into the air, not running over anything to return from where it started.

The Cambridge dictionary defines fountain as

"a stream of water that is forced up into the air through a small hole, especially for decorative effect, or the structure in a lake or pool from which this flows"

Where as a water feature is something where the water returns to where it started by running down a surface and or filling something as it goes.

Now tell me its still a fountain, you can't.

Don't forget you can send me your views, Contact me

Regards

Martin

* some fountains such as "plaza" fountains are designed to be played in, this one isn't

I am not the only one who thinks its not a good fountain, you may also want to read this