These are the initials of Stephen Proctor who is a former owner of the Fountains Estate. These initials are on the front of Fountains Hall and are accompanied with an otter clasping a fish in it's mouth. Fountains Hall was built between 1598 and 1604 by Stephen Proctor, in the style of Elizabethan architect Robert Smythson.
The Hall itself is actually built of sandstone, taken from Fountains Abbey itself. However, the outer facade, windows and statues of the Hall are made from fresh limestone, brought in from outside of the estate.
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I'm delighted to be playing Stephen Proctor in the reprise of an original play called 'Gouthwaite Hall' written by a local playwright Nevin Ward and performed from 18-22 October in the jewel of Pateley Bridge playhouse. The script depicts him as thoroughly vengeful and unscrupulous. And on 15th October, we perform specially for National Trust staff.