Lambeth has restored a 120-year-old drinking fountain and moved it to a more visible location at the request of Norwood Old Scholars Association with the support of the West Norwood community.
A blue plaque on the wall of West Norwood Health and Leisure Centre marks the site of the Norwood Orphanage, a name dating back to 1956. Before that, it was called “The Jewish Orphanage” and “The Jews Hospital and Orphan Asylum.”
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Donatus Anyanwu, Lambeth Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, said, “The fountain is a unique symbol of one of Lambeth’s vital, diverse communities, and represents continuity for that community today. We are delighted to see it returned to take pride of place in West Norwood.”
The Orphanage story
Sir Anthony de Rothschild laid the foundation stone for a new hospital building on Knights Hill on June 6, 1861. From 1863 to 1961 (except in World War II when the children were evacuated), many Jewish children lived and went to school here.
In 1906, the drinking fountain was erected in memory of Mrs. Henry Behrend, President of the Ladies Committee, who left her entire estate, valued at £10,000 (about £15 million today) to Norwood Orphanage.
By 1992, the last orphanage building was sold. The fountain was removed for safekeeping during demolition work in 2012. It returned as the only visible link to the orphanage’s history when the health centre was built in 2015.
Renovation and renewal
The Norwood Old Scholars Association (NOSA) first asked Lambeth Council to fund the renovation of the drinking fountain in 2021. The council employed a specialist contractor to carry out repairs, specialist cleaning, restoration of damaged stone, add new foundations, and repoint the structure. The project also involved moving the fountain to the front to make it more visible.
NOSA unveiled a memorial plaque and inscription on 19 June 2025. Jack Matthews, Chairman of NOSA said: “Why is this fountain important? Because it’s part of West Norwood and Lambeth history. The Jewish orphanage stood on this site for nearly 100 years. Some 8,000 children lived there over that time. They were very much part of the community, going to Gipsy Hill and other local schools. I am sure some people reading this will have known many of the boys and girls. I hope people take time to visit the fountain.”
More information
The Norwood Old Scholars Association is a charity set up to give financial assistance and help the children, now adults, from the orphanage to keep in touch.
