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Shelley Fountain
Since it was
erected at Lynd Cross in 1996 the Rising Universe has
polarised views. When working as it should it is
undoubtedly impressive and gives many people,
particularly children, a lot of fun. It has also
featured in a montage of local images to introduce the
BBC regional TV news.
But from the start it has been dogged with problems.
It underwent a major overhaul in 2005 which was
supposed to ensure its continued reliability yet it
spent 2009 propped on a beam surrounded by temporary
fencing while the Council decided whether to spend a
further substantial sum needed to repair the
hydraulics.
The District Council consulted the public over three
options: repair it, lock the mechanism in a static
position, or remove it altogether. The Society view
was that it should either be fully repaired or removed
and replaced with a new public art feature –
preferably with moving water – partly funded through
public subscription.
In the event the Council decided on repair and the
feature was reopened in May 2010. |
