CALLS have been made to make technological enhancements to one of Malvern’s most prominent landmarks in the town centre.
The Friends of Malvern Springs and Wells group have received suggestions from readers of its monthly newsletter regarding a possible transformation of the town’s Enigma Fountain on Belle Vue Terrace.
The landmark, which features four high pillars of York stone, has stood tall and proud in Malvern for the past 16 years and pays tribute to the life of composer Sir Edward Elgar – one of the town’s most famous residents.
Technological suggestions include having a lantern mounted on the landmark which could frequently change colour using LED technology to indicate what the weather is doing or having it lit up, possibly every Sunday evening, accompanied by celebratory music from the composer.
The Friends of Malvern Springs and Wells group was set up in the town to celebrate Malvern’s water heritage.
Its latest newsletter states: “Two constructive suggestions have come forward.
“The first is that a lantern is mounted on top (of the pillars) and it has a variable colour LED light. This is varied according to the weather forecast – blue for rain, white for snow, yellow for sunshine etc.
“At a glance visitors to the town centre can see the weather forecast and decide their plans accordingly.
“Alternatively, instead of the monsters looming out of the dusk on a summer evening, how about Elgar music and a light display for an hour on Sunday evenings.
“What a pleasure it would be to hear Land of Hope and Glory with a coloured light display and the fountain running after having had an enjoyable meal in a Malvern restaurant.
“Come on Malvern let’s do something constructive with the monsters now that we have them in situ!”
It is not yet known whether any of the ideas will be formally proposed to Malvern Hills District Council who are responsible for maintaining the landmark which was opened by Prince Andrew in 2000.
However district council chiefs have told the Observer they would be happy to discuss ideas in the coming weeks should the group wish to take the suggestions further.
Phil Merrick, joint head of economy and communities at Malvern Hills District Council, said: “Some interesting ideas are coming forward and we will be pleased to meet with the Friends of Malvern Springs and Wells as their plans develop to discuss them further.”
Suggestions have come after it was published in a previous newsletter from the group that there were ‘whispers’ in the community of demand to remove the fountain’s pillar stones for good.
In response the Friends of Malvern Springs and Wells said demolition was not the answer and called on readers to suggest ideas on how the landmark could be improved.
The fountain is running again as normal after it stopped for a number of months following problems with vandalism which resulted in it leaking onto the road.
What do you think about the Enigma Fountain in Malvern? Should more be done to enhance it or are you happy with it as it stands? Email your views to [email protected] or write to us at the address stated on page six.
