METHOD STATEMENT FOR THE DESIGN, SUPPLY AND COMMISSIONING OF THE RESTORATION OF THE

VICTORIAN MAIN FOUNTAIN AT WORTH PARK

RELATED DOCUMENTS
Accompanying drawings for pump room and pipework layout

NOTE
All work is to be carried out by an experienced fountain specialist to the highest integrity and relevant
standards providing impartial advice to the client that balances value and quality to achieve the
intended outcomes. The interest of the fountain specialist in the execution of this work must be that of
a professional taking personal pride in the outcome, and not merely a commercial undertaking. The
client will enforce the word and spirit of this specification but is looking to work collaboratively with the
specialist.

BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT

Crawley Borough Council (CBC) has secured funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to conserve
and enhance Worth Park, a local park and open space of significant historic interest, located in the
Pound Hill area in the north-east of Crawley.
The park was once a part of the Montefiore estate which was developed from around 1839 before
passing to Milton Mount College in 1920 and to CBC in 1960. Much of the original features of the
gardens were primarily designed and built by the renowned Victorian landscape firm, Pulham and Son,
and much remains in evidence today.

THE EXISTING FOUNTAIN

The existing fountain is Grade II listed and an excellent surviving example of a Pulham terracotta
fountain with a large outer basin and smaller raised inner basin. Believed to date from the early 1880s
the fountain gained listed status from English Heritage because;
It is the largest 1880s garden ornament constructed out of moulded terracotta by the firm of James
Pulham and son for Sir Joseph Montefiore at the former Worth Park. It survives intact and is one of a
series of substantial remaining garden structures by the firm of James Pulham and Son at Milton Mount
Gardens [Worth Park]. It is situated within a publicly accessible landscape which is of local interest.
(extract English Heritage Listing)
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The significance of the fountain at Worth Park is affected by its untidy condition and that it is no longer
functioning. Anecdotally it appears not to have had a functioning water jet for about 50 years. The
surrounding yew planting is part of the original landscape design but they are now over large and
obscure the views of the basin and longer views to the lake. These will be replaced with new yews as
part of the wider landscape improvements.
The fountain however is considered a key feature of the park and is arguably the most important
surviving feature of the grounds since the loss of the old house as it forms the focal point between the
terracing and the lawns.
Worth Park is permanently open to the public and all interested fountain specialists are expected to
have visited the park and viewed the fountain for themselves.
OUTCOME REQUIRED
The aim is to restore the fountain to a full working condition including full repairs to the terracotta work.
The HLF was consulted as part of the development grant process and were very supportive of
maintaining and improving this feature. As such a visual survey and record was undertaken of each
terracotta stone coping, a consulting engineer assessed the integrity of the basins and found them to be
satisfactory, two further specialists were consulted for terracotta restoration and for the fountain parts
restoration, including the mechanical and electrical, civils and services supply requirements for reinstating the water jet/cascade.

METHOD STATEMENT
The total fountain restoration works will be let to a main contractor who will manage the works and
sub-contract specialist packages including the fountain specialist.
ADVANCE WORK REQUIREMENTS
The scope of the advance works is to establish further information about the fountain prior to
determining a final specification for its restoration. Hence the works are in two stages:
First Stage
Empty the lower and upper basins of water and clear out all debris, humanely removing and
relocating any fish or amphibians to the Worth Park lake (or contractors choice).
Establish the condition of the existing nozzle and supply pipe to the upper basin. It is envisaged
that some peripheral excavation will be required.
Record the condition found through photographs and marked up drawings

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Provide a written report with outline specifications for the waterproofing requirements of the
basins, whether the existing supply pipe can be re-used and/or a method for providing a new
supply pipe most sympathetic to its status as a Grade II listed structure.
Allow for two number meetings with CBC and their representatives on-site

Second Stage
Based on the information established in the first stage and the requirements of the following
Performance Specification provide a full design and specification for the restoration of the
fountain.
Prior to completion of the first stage the tender must identify the likely scenarios and the cost
implications of each.
Allow for issuing a draft for comment, one number meeting with CBC and their representatives
to discuss and a final issued version in hard copy and digitally.

GENERAL DESIGN ARRANGEMENT

Some assumptions have already been made as described below. The specialist is not bound by these and
alternative improved recommendations are encouraged.
Plant room
Fabricated off-site ready for installation underground near to the fountain. Current proposed position
and size allowance shown on Waterman drawing C-SA- 90-2501-A01. The specialist will need to
determine final location in conjunction with the client and specify final size requirements, venting,
internal drainage, heating and lighting in order for the equipment to be readily and practicably
maintained.
Service supplies and control panel
Incoming water and power would come from a new external meter cabinet and control panel located on
the southern end elevation of the existing nearby flats. A foul rising main for fountain filter backwash
will be connected into an existing foul drain manhole near to the flats. Current proposals are shown on
Waterman drawing C-SA- 90-1310-A01. The specialist will need to determine final capacity requirements
and control panel details.

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FOUNTAIN WORKS REQUIREMENTS

The aim is to utilize an experienced fountain specialist who can provide the design, supply and
commissioning of the fountain as a sub-contractor to a civils lead contractor. The fountain specialist
will coordinate his works with the terracotta restoration specialist and the contractor(s) providing the
necessary civils and services provisions that the fountain specialist determines.
The appointed specialist will provide general expertise, define the technical approach to the
restoration and define the scope of other associated works with due regard to the clients
requirements for the re-commissioning of the fountain. This is expected to include:

The technical design and specification of all of the mechanical and electrical, pipework and
plumbing requirements. This will include:
o Proposed items including but not limited to:

Waterproofing of existing fountain basins

Incoming and outgoing supplies

Control panel

Break tank

Water quality treatment

Pumping and pipework

Water circulation within basin

Overflow within basin

Any other items such as vents and grills
o Components and equipment lists with supporting technical literature where
appropriate.
o Pre-fabrication drawings
o Operational testing and commissioning procedures

Exactly specify all requirements for associated works so that the clients consulting engineer can
finalise designs and the client can procure suitable contractors. These will include:
o civils (building) works
o services supplies (water, drainage, power)
o any other requirements for associated works that the fountain specialist expressly
excludes from their scope such as post construction cleaning and landscape repairs.

Method statement of how works will be carried out on and off site. Include details of:
o Programme of works
o Liaison meetings with the client and other contractors implementing associated works
o Working within a public park - protection of the works and the public
o Access to the fountain for construction materials and machinery
o Site compound and temporary storage requirements

Supply and fixing of all equipment, components fittings and fixtures.

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Construction and supervision on site of all M&E and related fountain equipment, components
fittings and fixtures.

Testing and commissioning.

Detailed Operation and Maintenance Manual. Whilst it is the intention that a maintenance
contract will be pursued this will include as a minimum:
o Plain English instructions for day-to-day and monthly operation such as setting timers,
switching on and off, priming, cleaning filters etc.
o A comprehensive list of components and their suppliers and contact details
o A list of disposable items that could or should be stocked by the Parks team to ensure a
near un-interrupted service.
o A periodic maintenance schedule for 1-10 years
o Allowance for half a days tuition to members of the CBC Parks team in the day-to-day
and monthly operation and maintenance.

Details of guarantees offered.

Any other aspect or consideration that the specialist would like to draw to the attention of the
client.

SUMMARY OF SEQUENCE OF WORKS UNDERTAKEN TO DATE

BASIN
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Empty basin of water via pumping

Clean out debris and silt
Remove asphalt layers (retro-fitted in 1970s)
Lay trench for main feed pipework and sump, fix and re-fill
Attach new fountain nozzle and feed to inner basin dome alongside previous nozzle
Lay surface mounted pipework
Re-waterproof with two layers of Xypex solution

PUMP ROOM
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Excavate for pump room

Lay foundation
Bring in and fix off-site assembled plant room to foundation
Build concrete walls around pump room to protect from ground pressure
Make power and water connections from mini feeder pillar adjacent to flats
Make water connections to pipework in basin via adjoining inspection chamber
Backfill pump room excavation allowing only access manholes at surface level
Topsoil and seed

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