Fountain: Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in Wanstead
Erection date: 1897
{Inscribed on the south side to the left of the fountain basin:}
Erected in the year 1897 by the parishioners of Wanstead to commemorate the 60th year of the reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria.
{and inscribed to the right of the fountain basin:}
Longitudo dierum in dextera eius et in sinistra gloria.
{On the, north-east side, on the animal drinking trough:}
Wanstead District Urban Council
W. G. Nelson, Esq., Chairman
The Latin quotation is interesting. It is from the Bible, Proverbs 3;16, and our Latin consultant, David Hopkins, translates it as "In her left hand is long life and in her right hand is honour". The quotation normally has "riches" in her right hand as well as "honour" but this has been omitted, presumably because no one needs, or wants, reminding of how rich the monarch is. David also points out that the “her” in the original bible passage is referring to wisdom, but here they are applying these attributes to Queen Victoria. Seems to us they've twisted the passage to suit their own ends, but perhaps that is quite common.
Site: Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee - Wanstead (1 memorial)
E11, Cambridge Park, George Green
This memorial is three-sided. On the south side, shown in our picture, there is a drinking fountain and basin with texts to either side. The north-west side has a drinking fountain and basin and the medallion bust of Queen Victoria on the brick gable. The north-east side has the inscribed animal drinking trough. At the centre of the edifice there is some ornate ironwork which looks as if something is missing. We wonder what else used to be there, a gas lamp perhaps?
The south-east corner of George Green is connected to St Mary's Wanstead by St Mary’s Avenue. This is flanked by a double line of horse chestnuts, also planted in 1897.
Originally this fountain was at the centre of the junction. Road widening schemes have caused it to be moved a number of times; indeed it currently sits on top of an underpass.
