Town councillors have decided against the installation of a new fountain in a Malvern park.

Three years ago, Malvern Town Council pledged £3,750 towards the construction of a fountain in Rosebank Gardens.

Along with a privately-funded sculpture, the fountain was intended to commemorate the Victorian opera singer Jenny Lind, who had strong connections to Malvern.

The sculpture, which is atop a tall metal pole, was unveiled in October last year and now sits alongside new flower beds, a bench and the Malvern sign, to the left of the 99 steps.

But work on the fountain suffered delays, exacerbated by the pandemic.

READ MORE: Malvern Link fountain to be removed and replaced with a Christmas tree

New fountain in Rosebank Gardens will celebrate life of Jenny Lind

When the chosen contractor was unable to complete the project, a new tender was issued in February - for the installation of a small fountain incorporating six stone blocks that previously formed part of a water feature in Malvern Link.

But with the cost of installing a fountain rising and amid concerns over its long-term upkeep, councillors have now decided to pull the plug.

At a full council meeting on Wednesday, September 6, mayor Clive Hooper said the cost of the fountain had risen to about £7,000.

“But there is only £1,750 left in the budget," he said, "so we’d be looking for an extra £5,250 from our reserves.”

Councillor Ronan McLaverty-Head said: “I feel like the pole does the job of commemorating Jenny Lind. Do we need a fountain?”

Cllr Marilyn Birks said a better way of commemorating Jenny Lind, in keeping with Malvern’s artistic traditions, would be to fund grants for new singers.

“That would be a much better legacy,” she said.

Cllr David Watkins raised concerns over the upkeep of a new fountain, saying there are already at least two in the town that aren’t working properly.

Cllr Melanie Jones said the area of Rosebank Gardens in question looks good as it is.

“We have a beautiful sign there - putting a fountain in front of it would detract from it,” she said.

The council agreed to do nothing with the area, other than to change a commemorative plaque that currently references a fountain that now isn't going to be built.

The stones that used to form part of the fountain in Malvern Link currently reside in Great Malvern Cemetery.