An ornamental fountain. The plinth with inscription, bronze portrait roundel, fountain niche and bowl on faces, supports clustered columns in pink granite, carved capitals, below a block with a clock face, gable top and foliated finial. Sir William Houldsworth Bart. (1834–1917), cotton manufacturer, was born in Manchester as the fourth son of cotton spinner Henry Houldsworth. He was educated at the University of St Andrews and joined the family firm as a partner. In 1865 the firm relocated from central Manchester to Reddish, to the purpose-built Houldsworth mill, at that time a model of architecture and employment practices. Integral to the relocation plan was the building of a factory community which included a school, recreation ground, a working man's club and a church, (the latter two both designed by Alfred Waterhouse).