RESIDENTS have slammed their council for allowing the building of a “hideous” four-meter high drinking fountain they say looks like a phallic object.
Many locals in the historic medieval town of Canterbury, , have been left pink in the face after they donated towards the £150,000 construction.
The drinking fountain, gifted by the rotary club, is expected be unveiled on April 29, with members of the organisation attending.
Countless residents have noticed a stark similarity between the new installation, called The Point, and the male appendage.
One pensioner, who wished to remain , slammed the fountain for looking “like a big penis”.
She added: “I would have thought they could come up with something more in keeping with Canterbury.
“I think the rotary club needs to have it back again, dear oh dear.
“I only live five minutes away so I don’t think I’ll need to come here and fill a bottle up but who knows.
“It’ll be covered in graffiti soon too – that might improve it!”;
Others agree, Margaret Wilson, 79, who used to work in a school as a secretary and lunch lady before retiring said: “I think it’s hideous.
“It reminds me of something but I won’t say what.
“I didn’t know Canterbury was known for things like that.”;
She added: “It’s also a waste of money, a fountain I’d love but that? No.
“Someone at the rotary club with a bit of a strange imagination.”;
And, when Maggie Catterall, 76, was shown the mock up image she just laughed.
The insights owner said: “Is it appropriate for a public building I wonder?
“It’s going to incur people adding things to it I suspect.
“It will certainly draw attention.
“Having access to water is an interesting plus, if you go somewhere like Venice they’re all over the place.”;
Her friend, Lori Yang, 29, a filmmaker and marketer from Lo added: “Oh it’s a drinking fountain? I could not tell.
“I would drink from it.”;
Mum and daughter duo Amy, 50, and Ariel Mayers, 18, gave each other knowing looks when shown the photo.
Amy said: “I wouldn’t think it’s a fountain.
She added: “I think they could have picked a myriad of different shapes.
“Is this for real? They could have made it any other shape.
“Everything I keep thinking is highly inappropriate, you wouldn’t want that smacking you in the face everyday.”;
Her daughter Ariel, laughing, added: “It’s not going to bother me but they really could have chosen another shape.”;
James Dice, 42, a marketer and dad said: “It is kind of phallic I suppose, and it is rather large for a drinking fountain.
“The idea is great behind it, but the design?
“And do people even use drinking fountains still?
He added: “I don’t know if it’s entirely in keeping with the heritage of Canterbury.
“But, it is a little on the phallic side.
“The mock up is quite low quality though so hopefully it will look a little better than that.
“I will reserve judgement until I’ve seen it, it’s getting built regardless right? So I’ll have to see.
“It’s getting built regardless, right? So I’ll have to see it with my own eyes.
“But the mock-up is, I have to say, a little odd looking.”;
But, others think it will be a good addition to the city, including Jane Colbran, 75, a retired nurse.
She said: “I think it’s a good idea, I think it looks great – having somewhere to fill up your bottle is helpful.
“It’s a nice gift for the city centre.”;
Paul Colyer, 69, added: “I have a condition that means I need to drink lots of water, so I would definitely use it.
“It’s going to be quite tall, but I think it’s lovely.”;
Becky English, 43, a full-time carer for her daughter, said: “I don’t think I would know what it was, I’d have to get up close to it – but that’s because I wear glasses!
“I think it looks good though, I would definitely use it.
“It seems like they got a fair price too, I don’t know much about these things, but I think that’s a good price.”;
The Rotary Club of Canterbury says the project will help the by reducing plastic waste and provide free drinking water to millions of visitors and locals.
£135 was raised on a GoFundMe for the project.
A spokesperson for Canterbury City Council said: “The Rotary Club has gone out of its way to give something back to the city and should thanked for its efforts and generosity.
“This type of installation always divides .
“But it's far better for it to be noticed, become a talking point and part of Canterbury's rich cultural heritage than be ignored.”
