Not everyone in Gateacre approved of the project. An anonymous correspondent in the Liverpool Mercury (21st August 1883) wrote as follows:
"At the time of Mr Wilson's death, sufficient money was subscribed for the erection of such a memorial as would be an ornament to the village and ever remind us of our late much respected neighbour. So far, the only outcome of the movement has been the destruction of the village green and the rearing of a half-completed hideous structure, which is uncommonly like a pigeon loft, and must be seen to be appreciated. The name of the architect is not, I think, generally known, but the subject has evidently been treated as a joke. The work has now been standing some months. By all that is good and beautiful, let the eyesore be carted away and hidden for ever out of sight, and the village green restored."

Which raises an interesting question: Was the Memorial Fountain - which it is believed was the work of Walker's friend, the architect Cornelius Sherlock - also "designed to serve as a dovecote" as we have always reported? Old photographs indicate that it probably was, with what appear to be wooden rods projecting from the roof alongside at least two access points (one of which remains) for the use of pigeons. The possession of a dovecote was regarded as a status symbol in medieval times - 'squabs' (young pigeons) being a valued part of the diet of the aristocracy. Was this also the feeling in Victorian Gateacre?

Be that as it may, dovecotes need regular maintenance if they are to remain hygienic and rot-free. Times have changed, and pigeons have come to be regarded as pests rather than prized possessions. The Gateacre Society's Committee has concluded that the best course of action, now, would be for the roof-space of the Memorial to be sealed off, the roof repaired (using stone slates, in keeping with the originals) - and for the pigeons to find a new home.