For many years at the Old Manor Hospital, a piece of sculpture in the shape of a magnificent bronze fountain graced the main entrance there.

When I worked at the Old Manor the fountain had been out of action for over two years and in 1993, I was given the task, along with the landscape gardener Chris White, of restoring the fountain back to its former glory.

This we managed to achieve along with an extensive planting of shrubs and rockery plants for added effect.

It was during the restoration that I noticed the sculptors name had been engraved into the bronze plinth and this enabled me to research and put into print (probably for the first time), details of the sculptor of the famous fountain.

Salisbury Journal: The fountain under restoration The fountain under restoration (Image: Platinum Skies)

Chavalliaud (Leon Joseph) was born at Reims in 1858.

He later studied under the influential Louis-Auguste Roubaud and obtained honourable mentions in 1885 and 1886 – he was also a full member of French Artists from 1890 until his death in 1919.

Sometime around 1890 he came to England living in South London for 15 years. He showed at the Royal Academy from 1893 onwards, his exhibits comprising portrait busts and statues in both bronze and marble.

One of his most famous works is four marble and four bronze statues of explorers and navigators, 1897–98, for the Palm House, Sefton Park, Liverpool.

It is heartening to see that the fountain, which disappeared during the restoration of Finch House, has returned in all its splendour to its former position.

Indeed, it was difficult to imagine Finch House, which many will remember being supported by huge scaffolding, ever being rebuilt again. But the area has undergone a magnificent transformation with ‘Affordable Housing and Healthcare Group’ converting the historic building into 21 bespoke apartments.