About two years ago - as reported in our January 2021 Newsletter - the ceiling of the Wilson Memorial Fountain collapsed under the weight of pigeon guano. Although it was speedily repaired, we do not feel that the solution is ideal, as the problem will inevitably reoccur. Furthermore the gutters are blocked with vegetation, and some of the stone roofing slates have slipped. All in all, the monument is looking shabbier now than it has done for several years.

The hexagonal sandstone gazebo was - as the carved inscription records - "erected by the people of Gateacre" in 1883 in honour of John Hays Wilson. He was a businessman - a brassfounder - who lived locally (at Lee Hall) and who was Chairman of the Liverpool Corporation Water Committee. His death in 1881 came as a shock to his neighbours. A public meeting was held to discuss how best to commemorate "the late Mr Wilson, who worked so long and so well for the purpose of obtaining an ample supply of good water for the inhabitants of this great city".

Sir Andrew Barclay Walker, of Gateacre Grange, offered a piece of land on the corner of Grange Lane and Gateacre Brow, and the decision was to build a drinking fountain, for which water was to be supplied by the Corporation free of charge. In May 1881 it was reported that "upwards of £21 had been collected by the working classes in the district. The school children of the village … are also contributing their pence to the memorial of Mr Wilson, who frequently entertained them at Lee Hall".