History > Before 1923
This section documents the early years of Consett Public Park, the home of Consett Park Bowling Club.
We also look at evidence of bowling in the Consett and Blackhill areas before the founding of Consett Park Bowling Club in 1923.
1880 - Presentation of a Public Park to Consett
In 1880 the Consett Local Board met and discussed plans for a public park in Consett. In other news, there was a report of a United Friendly Societies' gala in Annfield Plain.
In 1887 there was a report in the Evening Chronicle of a dispute between the Consett Local Board, the Benfieldside Local Board and Consett Iron Company over who would manage the park. On the same page were reports from the courts, including a man swearing on a tramcar, and a small boy who had stolen Christmas cards.
1889 - The Consett Public Park Scheme
1889 sees Consett Iron Company taking over the management of the park. There was also a report of the Consett Sewerage Scheme.
1890 saw progress in the creation of the park, with the possibility of an ornamental lake. A Queen Anne sixpence was unearthed. In other news, the Northern Echo reported on a rabies case in Bradford.
1891 - Opening of Consett Public Park
Photograph and Newspaper Report. The Opening of the park was a grand occasion, with a parade half a mile in length and 15,000 - 20,000 people around the platform. There is a mention of bowling greens.
1893 - North-Country Sketches by George Neasham
An extract from the book by George Neasham, describing the view from the park.
The by-laws of the park from 1895, including by-law 18: "No person should beat, shake, or clean any carpet, drugget, mat or rug within the Park"
1896 - Plans for a Bowling Green at the Cricket Club
In 1896 the Cricket Club planned to construct a bowling green. On the same page of the Consett Guardian was a report of a brass band contest at Tow Law.
1899 - Bowling Green at Cricket Club ready for the new season
By 1899 the bowling green at the Cricket Club was ready for use, and the Cricket Club was also planning a smoking concert.
A man was found guilty of damaging flowers in Consett Park.
1903 - Lawn Tennis replaces Bowling at the Cricket Club
In 1903 the Cricket Club bowling green was repurposed for lawn tennis. The Durham County Advertiser also carried reports of other sports, including pedestrianism.
The Consett Guardian reports on "great damage", but does not go into detail. In other news, peace celebrations were still taking place.
1920 - Proposal for a bowling green on the site of the Company Rows
In about 1920 there were plans to build a Council Chamber and Bowling Green on the site of the Company Rows, but the plans were rejected.
The Consett Guardian reported on a scheme involving the laying of bowling greens, and there was a mention of Major Mangles, who was to become Consett Park Bowling Club's first secretary. On the same page was an article on "What Makes Children Grow".
1922 Consett Park and Parental Control
A letter to the editor of the Consett Guardian