Berkeley Memorial

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Clock tower at The Circus 3

The Berkeley Memorial is a memorial in Basseterre on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean island state of St. Kitts and Nevis .

architecture

The memorial stands in the middle of the Circus (The square is a replica of Piccadilly Circus in London ). It consists of a four-sided wrought iron drinking fountain with a clock. The clock, like the fountain, has four dials, each facing the street that leads to the square. the memorial was built in honor of Thomas Berkeley Hardtman Berkeley , a former President of the General Legislative Council in the 1880s. The monument stands on a round base and itself has a modified octagonal (cross-like) shape. This means that there are four compartments, each with a basin. Over the years the monument has had various paintwork in red, brown and green. The central column extends over five levels, which are divided by acroteria and cornices . The upper levels are additionally supported by four columns that end with lanterns. Arches create space for the memorial inscription and originally had bezels with a barometer and thermometer . A weather vane is attached to the top. A coat of arms is attached to the north side and the Sun Foundry logo can be seen at the base . On the south side is a basin with a tap and the inscription:

“This drinking fountain was erected by the compatriots and friends of the late Thomas Berkeley Hardtman Berkeley, Companion of the most distinguished Order of St Michael and St. George and President of the Legislative Council of the Leeward Islands in recognition of the many valuable services he has given to his homeland as a planner, politician and citizen. His dignified qualities, his love for the island and his deep interest in the welfare of the country as a whole make him worthy of receiving a memorial through which his memory will be preserved and carried on. Born on January 14th, 1824, died on December 6th, 1881. "

history

The drinking fountain was manufactured as Drinking fountain number 1 by the Sun Foundry in Glasgow , Scotland . The second copy made has not survived. The Berkeley Memorial celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1983, the same year that St. Kitts gained independence. For a long time it was not possible to properly maintain the watch. In 2018 the Urban Development Unit (Ministry of Public Infrastructure and Urban Development), with the help of the American J.B. Layman , an engineer, and his wife Tannis Layman renovate the clock.

philately

In 1992 a stamp was released showing the memorial. It is one of a series of four St. Kitts and Nevis attractions.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Berkeley owned the Fountain , Greenland , Greenhill , Ottleys , Shadwell and Stone Fort plantations .
  2. ↑ This drinking fountain has been erected by the country men and private friends of the late Thomas Berkeley Hardtman Berkeley, Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George and president of the Legislative Council of the Leeward Islands, in recognition of the many valuable services he rendered this his Native Island as a Planter, a Politician and a Citizen. His Sterling qualities, his love for this island and his deep interest in the welfare of the country at large entitle him to a memorial by which his memory will be preserved and perpetuated. Born 14th January 1824.Died 6th December, 1881.
  3. ↑ story editor: Berkeley Memorial Clock ticking again. In: The St Kitts Nevis Observer. October 4, 2018, Retrieved October 12, 2019 (American English).
  4. ^ Berkeley Memorial Fountain and Clock - Basseterre, St. Kitts - Philatelic Photographs on Waymarking.com. Retrieved October 12, 2019 .

Web links

Coordinates: 17 ° 17 ′ 42.9 "  N , 62 ° 43 ′ 25.5"  W.