After standing proud and erect for almost a century and a half, Hadley Green's magnificent drinking fountain is in pieces, awaiting restoration and getting re-connected to the water supply.

Stonemasons from London Stone Conservation dismantled the ornate pink marble structure so that it can be cleaned and repointed, and the internal pipework renewed, ready to take a fresh water supply.

After being a fixture there for so long, the corner of the green looks almost forlorn without its familiar landmark.

The restoration of the drinking fountain has been made possible thanks to a five-year campaign by a High Barnet shopkeeper, Peter Wanders.“I’m over the moon to see the barriers go up, ready for work to start,” said Mr Wanders, proprietor of Wanders shoe shop, and a keen local historian and conservationist.

By the spring walkers – as well as their dogs – should be able to stop and have a refreshing drink of water and fill up their water bottles.

By dint of his perseverance and campaigning, the Heritage of London Trust provided a grant of £15,000; around £2,000 was collected in a local fund raiser; and Affinity Water agreed to connect the water supply at a potential cost of £5,000.

Out of order for the last 50 years, the fountain is one of many across Greater London which campaigners have said should be restored.

Built of pink marble, this grand, ornamental fountain – just by the duck pond at the boundary of Hadley Green and Barnet High Street – was erected in 1885 by local benefactor, Miss Ann Paget.  

It is listed as being a structure of architectural and historic interest.

Years of neglect for such a fine example of London’s many former public drinking fountains have long been a source of anger and annoyance for Mr Wanders.

“The original bronze plaque to commemorate Miss Paget’s generosity disappeared years ago, and the marble structure and its pipe work are all in a sorry state.”

Although out of order, the drinking fountain still has four push-button taps above water bowls and rings which once held cups, together with a water trough at ground level for dogs.

Once the fountain has been restored – and the work should be completed in mid-February – Barnet Council’s parks and open spaces department has agreed to lay a new pathway around the fountain and will install a bike rest to complete the restoration.

Once the weather improves, Mr Wanders hopes to arrange an opening ceremony inviting local schools and all the many organisations which have supported the project, including Barnet and Hadley Residents Associations, Barnet Museum, Chipping Barnet Town Team and Barnet Society.

A new plaque will be installed to commemorate the original generosity of Miss Paget, who lived at Camlot, Hadley Wood, who with her sister was a governor and sponsor of Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School, and who commissioned an architect to design the Hyde Institute in Church Passage, next to Barnet parish church.

Miss Paget also met the cost of a water fountain on Hadley Common, which has long since disappeared.