Old granite cattle/horse troughs

M

mdfcta

New User
Joined
9 July 2014
Messages
2
Visit site
This will probably be one of the strangest posts on this forum but here goes…

I'm researching the history of an organisation called the Metropolitan Drinking Fountain & Cattle Trough Association (MDFCTA). This charity was responsible for erecting drinking fountains and cattle/horse troughs in London and across the rest of the UK (and some abroad) between 1880-1930 (approx). As part of this project I'm trying to track down all the fountains and cattle/horse troughs that remain today. During the 1950’s, and onwards, many of these troughs that had no further use in urban areas were sold off, or given away, to farmers, riding schools and, in some cases, private individuals.

If you ride on Richmond Park you may be familiar with these troughs because there are 2 still in use there.

I’ve tracked down a couple of these troughs, which normally have the “Metropolitan Drinking Fountain & Cattle Trough Association” inscription on one of the sides, at riding schools in Kent and Essex; and wondered if there are any more across the country? The trough may not be used to hold water any more but may be re-used a flower-container etc.

Have you ever come across an old granite horse trough with the MDFCTA inscription at a riding school (or farm or garden!) near you?
 
Hi I'm Nottinghamshire there is a garden with several at least 6 I think with flowers in just near to a village called Colston Basset, all with Metropolitan Drinking Fountain on them they make a fabulous display
 
Posting so I can find the thread at a later date. I will look at a water area coming down a hill near us I can not remember if it is a trough or just a clever use of the hill to make a trough, I was told it was water area for when they use to move cattle around.
Agree with MrsD lets us know how you get on.
 
I am sure there is one in Maldon High Street in Essex in front of some grey stone houses which could be Almshouses. I don't get to Maldon often but shall try and find out more. I have always admired it.
 
Thanks for all the feedback. Some more comments from me:

Dulwich: There WAS a trough near Dulwich College, perhaps it has been moved into the Park? I'll check it out the next time I'm in that part of London. Thanks. There is a trough in the south-east corner of Brockwell Park that used to be in nearby Rosendale Rd. And, of course, the elaborate drinking fountain in the middle of the roads at the south-end of Dulwich Village is an MDFCTA structure.

Redhill: Yes, there's quite a few in that part of Surrey. As well as the trough on the Brighton Road, there's another by the United Reform Church; and another on Wray Common.

Booster, I'll send you a PM re. Colston Basset.

Bexleyheath: Zero00000, was the trough always at that location or was it ever down the hill nearer Bexleyheath Broadway before they build the 1-way system?

Maldon: Do you mean the one outside the church in the High Street? There is a trough of the right size & shape for an MDFCTA one there but I think it was donated privately. There IS an MDFCTA trough nearby in Heybridge just outside another church - St. Andrews.
 
There's one en-route as I walk between Mornington Crescent and St Pancras - on the corner of Goldington Crescent (I think!)


Also, somewhat more oddly, there's one on the seafront at Gorleston-on-sea (Norfolk)!! I'm guessing that one isn't in its original location :)
 
Last edited:
There is an old horse drinking trough in our village, Banchory in Aberdeenshire. Probably not likely to be of the type you're looking for but I can check the enscription.
 
There always used to be one in South Croydon on the A23 on the triangle, is it the Swan & Sugarloaf or something? Used to go past it every time I went to Selsdon but that is 50 years ago! I think there are others around other parts of Croydon too or at least there were.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top