I was pleased to see in last weeks edition, that the old fountain by the entrance to Howell Drive had been cleaned and tidied up. Well done to The Borough Council, volunteers and local firms who did the work. It is a pity for these old bits of Welshpool’s history to be forgotten.

Just to throw some light on its history. It is called the Charles Fountain and was erected, I am not sure exactly when, in memory of Charles Edward Howell of Rhiewport Hall near Berriew. Hence Howell Drive. It was not I think anything to do with Elmhurst.

Charles followed his father Abraham Howell as a solicitor in Welshpool. Abraham had bought 18, Severn St. in 1853 and built new offices which are still occupied by solicitors. He was mayor of the town four times and when he retired as alderman he gave a mayoral gold chain to the Borough. Charles was also mayor and an alderman and was apparently a kind generous man and benefactor of the town to which he gave Puzzle Square, and also at his own expense rebuilt the bridge over the canal in Severn Street to improve the gradient for the horses pulling wagons up from the station.

After his death in 1906 his brothers and sisters erected a horse drinking trough at Hollybush in Berriew Road in memory of him.

Most of this information comes from the Powysland Club book “Welshpool Past and Present”.

John Payne, Forden