The Humble Stone Trough: From Useful Work Aid to Ornamental Design.

The stone trough is a familiar sight in many gardens, but its history and uses are surprisingly varied. These troughs were originally used for watering livestock, but they have found a new life in contemporary gardens as planters, birdbaths, and even water features.

Stone troughs are made from a variety of materials, including granite, limestone, and slate. They are often simple in design, with a rectangular or oval basin.

Stone troughs were once an essential part of any farm. They were used to provide livestock with water to drink, and they could also be used to mix feed or to bathe animals. With the advent of modern plumbing, stone troughs have become less common in agriculture.

However, stone troughs have become increasingly popular in recent years as a garden feature. Their timeless design and natural materials make them a perfect complement to any garden style. Stone troughs can be used in a variety of ways in the garden. Here are a few ideas:

• Planter: Stone troughs are a great way to add height and interest to a flower bed. They can be planted with a variety of flowers, herbs, or even small shrubs.
• Birdbath: Birds need a place to drink and bathe, and a stone trough can provide the perfect spot. Just be sure to add a few stones to the bottom of the trough so that birds of all sizes can easily reach the water.
• Water feature: A stone trough can be used to create a beautiful and relaxing water feature in your garden. Simply add a small pump and some aquatic plants. The sound of bubbling water can be very soothing.

Stone troughs are a versatile and attractive addition to any garden. With a little creativity, you can find a way to use a stone trough in your own garden.

The 2 pictured below can be found near the township of Warley, in the suburbs of Halifax, West Yorkshire. The lions head trough now more of a garden display than a useful watering aid is on the roadside of Stock Lane heading in to Warley from Highroad Well. The second trough is on Water Hill Lane heading down from Warley towards Sowerby Bridge.

The pictures were taken with a Nikon d3300 SLR on the 9th June 2024. They can also be seen on my Clickasnap account and copies can be purchased on various products from my Zazzle Stores.

Clicking either image should open a link in another window to the higher resolution version on Clickasnap.

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

The People's Park, Halifax

The People's Park is a 12.5 acre park built by Sir Francis Crossley and opened in 1857. After the park had been opened for a year it was transferred to the Halifax Corporation for the people of Halifax to use as  a park forever. The following 12 conditions are attached to the gift,

1. That the park is open to the public from morning until evening, during the whole year.

2. That the park is opened as soon as the sun rises after 6am, but never before, and remains open until dusk.

3. That it can only be used as a promenade.

4. That no games such as cricket, bowls, or hockey, etc be allowed, nor bathing.

5. Bands be allowed except on Sundays, but dancing prohibited.

6. That refreshments not be sold in the park.

7. That the corporation spend not less than £315 annually maintaining the grounds, buildings, bridges, statues, trees, shrubs, walks and seats. Also providing gardeners and keepers.

8. If the corporation fails to maintain the park, it shall revert to Frank Crossley or his heirs.

9. No buildings shall be erected except summer houses, lodges, and like structures, as may from time to time be necessary.

10. The park shall not be used for any political or other meeting, nor yet for the celebration of the anniversaries of clubs or other societies.

11. No charge shall ever be made for admission to the park, nor any use made of it for private or municipal pecuniary advantage.

12. That the corporation make and enforce such regulations as shall protect the trees, walks, etc from injury.

Crossley had been impressed with the scenery on a visit to New England, which had inspired him to build such a space for the workers of Halifax to enjoy and proposed "to arrange art and nature so that they shall be within the walk of every working man in Halifax, that he shall go to take his stroll there after he has done his hard day's toil, and be able to get home without being tired".

The Pavilion.

Built by G.H. Stokes the Pavilion was inaugurated on the 14th August 1860 and features a marble statue of Sir Francis Crossley. There are pools either side of the pavilion which have the following inscriptions above them "The rich and the poor meet together. The Lord is the maker of them all. Blessed by the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits. Let no man seek his own but every man another's wealth. The Pavilion sits on the terrace.

The Terrace.

The statues and urns that run along the length of terrace were designed by G.H. Stokes and sculptured by Francesco Bienaime. The terrace featured an urn at each end of the terrace and has had statues added at various times of Apollo (Son of Zeus), Dancing Girl, Diana (Roman Goddess), Hercules, Neapolitan Music Girl, Sophocles, Telemachus and Venus. Over the years these statues have suffered from erosion and vandalism and not all still remain.

The Crossley Fountain.

At the centre of the park stands the Crossley and Saville fountain. Built in 1864 by Simpson of Pimlico the Crossley fountain was replaced in 1914 when Sir Savile Crossley offered to provide a new fountain, since 1914 the fountain then became known as the Saville and Crossley Fountain.

The Bandstand.

The bandstand was built in 1882 and made of cast-iron, wood and features a zinc roof. When the bandstand opened music was only allowed on a weekday.

Smith Sundial

The Grade II listed Smith Sundial was presented to the town of Halifax in 1873. It was created by John Smith for Pocklington School, but they rejected it and Matthew Smith a local politician purchased the sundial.

The Thorp Fountain.

No longer connected to the water supply the Thorp Fountain was a drinking fountain designed by John Hogg and given to the park by Joseph Thorp. The fountain bears the following "Thank God for water, Water is best" The fountain is Grade II listed.

The Lake and Ponds.

The parks has a serpentine pond - lake to the eastern edge which is crossed by a couple of Grade II cast iron bridges. The lake - pond is approx 175m in length and widens as runs from north to south in the park.

The pictures above and below were taken on the 27th May 2018 with a Nikon d3300 camera. They can also be seen on Clickasnap un-watermarked and higher resolution. Clicking any picture should open the Clickasnap version in another window.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the higher resolution, un-watermarked version on Clickasnap.

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.