Ilkley fountain

James was commissioned by Improving Ilkley to manufacture a new water feature for Ilkley town centre. The project was initiated to replace a historic fountain that had fallen into disrepair since the 1950s.

The new feature is gravity-fed by water from the surrounding moorland, with the flow returning into the Gill and eventually towards the River Wharfe after passing through the sculpture. The concept and overall design were created by artist Juliet Gutch, who won a public competition to reimagine the town’s water feature. James was responsible for translating the design into a functional, fabricated piece, working closely with the Improving Ilkley team throughout the process.

The final sculpture measures approximately 8 feet wide and 10 feet tall. Inspired by the mosses of the moor, which naturally retain water, the two leaf forms were cut from 10 mm mild steel. These were shaped using a press brake, then further softened and detailed with heat, hammers, and turning bars to give a more organic, natural appearance. The large bowl supporting the leaves was formed from 12 mm mild steel, a thickness chosen to allow for robust welding, the addition of integrated spouts, and to ensure stability during the galvanizing process without distortion.

The spouts positioned around the bowl's rim were carefully designed to ensure the water flow from the brook matched their output, allowing the water to cascade evenly without tracking back along the surface. Achieving a perfectly level installation was crucial to maintain balanced flow across all spouts.

To guarantee a durable, low-maintenance finish, James recommended a galvanized and etched surface treatment; an approach he regularly applies to his organic sculptures. The multi-tonal finish adds depth and complements the naturalistic design while ensuring long-term protection from the elements.

The sculpture received positive feedback from the community and was officially unveiled by renowned broadcaster and gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh on 30th April.