Our photograph shows Portland House which once stood on the junction of Wilton and Devizes Road – the area has been derelict for a number of years and is currently being developed into flats.

The photo also shows the drinking trough for horses, cattle, sheep, etc; which was the idea of the local branch of the RSPCA in 1905.

They felt it would be of immense service to animals passing into the city after long journeys along the dusty roads.

The question arose as to what kind of trough it should be and it was advised by the Metropolitan Association for Providing Drinking Troughs of Cattle that, although it would be more expensive, it would be far better to have granite, rather than an iron trough.

This was agreed at a cost of £45 and on one side an inscription stated that the trough was erected by public subscription.

The trough allowed horses to be refreshed from an upper compartment and dogs from a lower container – but when then the horse gave way to the car and developments took place at the junction, the trough was taken away.

It eventually made its way to the yard leading to the former Great Western railway station where it stood unused for many years.

The trough was eventually saved by the parochial church council of Sarum St Paul who, on hearing that British Rail did not want the trough and that it was in danger of being broken up, decided to place it near the West door of their church – it still remains at the church to this day.

It is said that the trough was similar to one which once stood in the Market Place near the public lavatories.

On more than one occasion, revellers who became involved in unruly affairs found themselves taking an unexpected bath!

 

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