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History > Before 1923 > 1880
1880
1880
Presentation of a Public Park to Consett
Presentation of a Public Park to Consett
Consett Park Bowling Club is situated in Blackhill and Consett Park (previously known as Consett Park, Consett Public Park and Consett and Blackhill Park).
Consett Park opened in 1891, but was proposed over a decade earlier.
The report below is taken from the Consett Guardian, dated 6th August 1880. The creation of "a recreation ground for the use of the Consett district" was discussed; this launched the scheme that was to result in Consett Park.
Notes:
Pasture Drift Road was later renamed Park Road.
The Blue Heaps is known for the "Battle of the Blue Heaps" in 1858 - see the article by Brian Harrison in the Consett Magazine for more information.
There is an interesting suggestion that "a piece of ground opposite Sherburn Terrace ... might be made into a park some day".
William Jenkins (1825–1895), was General Manager of Consett Iron Company from 1869 to 1894.
William Jenkins (1825-1895)
PRESENTATION OF A PUBLIC PARK TO CONSETT
At the ordinary meeting of the Consett Local Board, on Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Calvert in the chair, Mr. Hawdon, one of the members of the Committee appointed to consider the desirability of providing a recreation ground for the use of the Consett district, intimated that the committee had met, but as the whole of the members were not in attendance, he moved the matter stand over till next month.Mr. Davison said there were three members of the committee present, and perhaps some of those might have something to communicate to the Board.Mr. SIDDELL said the Committee had made an inspection of the most suitable land in the district, and they had come to the conclusion that the land at the north side of the Pasture Drift Road, known as the Blue Heaps, would be the most suitable place for a recreation ground.THE CHAIRMAN: Which is that?Mr. SIDDELL: the field rented by Mr. McNally, and that rented by myself.THE CHAIRMAN: That will be a very small affair.Mr. SIDDELL: Perhaps Mr. Shell will give us a piece of the land further up. (Laughter.)Mr. SHELL: I should be very glad to do so. (Renewed laughter.)The Clerk said there was a letter from Mr. Jenkins on the subject which was as follows:-Consett Ironworks, Blackhill, Co. Durham.2nd of August 1880.DEAR SIR.- I leave home to-day, and am sorry I shall not be able to attend the monthly meeting of the Local Board on Wednesday next. No one can be more desirous than myself that all should be done that ought to be done for Consett Township, in the way of a reasonable expenditure for a place of recreation for the wives and children, &c; but so far as the Local Board action in this is concerned, it would be well to see that all the members are unanimous in this direction, and I suppose, if the expenditure is large, the ratepayers, as a matter of courtesy, should be in some way consulted. If the members of the board are of one mind, then they might pursue the matter with certain landowners, and ascertain what could be done in acquiring such land. This kind of inquiry will cost nothing, and not much can be said until the preliminary is gone through. I fear the purchase of land will prove to be too formidable an undertaking for the Board. If by voluntary aid some few acres could be obtained, enclosed, and laid out, the Board might undertake the custody of the ground. If the Board will confer further in the matter, I should be very glad to unite in any suggestion that may be brought about. - Yours faithfully.W. Jenkins.Mr. John Elliott, Parliament Street, Consett.Mr. SIDDELL said he was authorised to state that Mr. Jenkins was willing to place this particular piece of land at the disposal of the Board on condition that it became responsible for its future management. If the Board consented to keep the place in proper order afterwards, the Company, he believed, were prepared to fence it in, make roads where they were required, place seats here and there, put gates at the top and bottom, and erect a platform for the convenience of a band of music. (Applause.) The land he had named would cover eight or ten acres, and, with the Blue Heaps, would be considerably more.Mr AYNSLEY considered that Mr. Jenkins’ offer was a splendid one. Mr Jenkins offered to put the place in order and hand it over to the Board complete.Mr. HUDSON: Will the ratepayers have to keep it in repair?Mr. SIDDELL: It will be handed over to you on condition that you manage it and keep it in order.Mr SHELL: That will not cost much.Mr. DUNNE: The offer is a very handsome one, and I beg to move that we accept it, and that we thank Mr Jenkins for his kindness.Mr. COLLINSON seconded the motion which was carried by acclamation.Mr. SIDDELL said the Company proposed to make an entrance at the low end of the Park, so that it would be available for the Blackhill people.Mr. HAWDON said perhaps they might be able to get a piece of land at the other end of the town by and by.Mr. SIDDELL said there was a piece of ground opposite Sherburn Terrace, and this might be made into a park some day.Mr. HAWDON said they would see how a Park was appreciated first. If they found that the place on Pasture Drift Road was insufficient to accommodate the public, no doubt the company would provide another place at the other end of the town.
At the ordinary meeting of the Consett Local Board, on Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Calvert in the chair, Mr. Hawdon, one of the members of the Committee appointed to consider the desirability of providing a recreation ground for the use of the Consett district, intimated that the committee had met, but as the whole of the members were not in attendance, he moved the matter stand over till next month.Mr. Davison said there were three members of the committee present, and perhaps some of those might have something to communicate to the Board.Mr. SIDDELL said the Committee had made an inspection of the most suitable land in the district, and they had come to the conclusion that the land at the north side of the Pasture Drift Road, known as the Blue Heaps, would be the most suitable place for a recreation ground.THE CHAIRMAN: Which is that?Mr. SIDDELL: the field rented by Mr. McNally, and that rented by myself.THE CHAIRMAN: That will be a very small affair.Mr. SIDDELL: Perhaps Mr. Shell will give us a piece of the land further up. (Laughter.)Mr. SHELL: I should be very glad to do so. (Renewed laughter.)The Clerk said there was a letter from Mr. Jenkins on the subject which was as follows:-Consett Ironworks, Blackhill, Co. Durham.2nd of August 1880.DEAR SIR.- I leave home to-day, and am sorry I shall not be able to attend the monthly meeting of the Local Board on Wednesday next. No one can be more desirous than myself that all should be done that ought to be done for Consett Township, in the way of a reasonable expenditure for a place of recreation for the wives and children, &c; but so far as the Local Board action in this is concerned, it would be well to see that all the members are unanimous in this direction, and I suppose, if the expenditure is large, the ratepayers, as a matter of courtesy, should be in some way consulted. If the members of the board are of one mind, then they might pursue the matter with certain landowners, and ascertain what could be done in acquiring such land. This kind of inquiry will cost nothing, and not much can be said until the preliminary is gone through. I fear the purchase of land will prove to be too formidable an undertaking for the Board. If by voluntary aid some few acres could be obtained, enclosed, and laid out, the Board might undertake the custody of the ground. If the Board will confer further in the matter, I should be very glad to unite in any suggestion that may be brought about. - Yours faithfully.W. Jenkins.Mr. John Elliott, Parliament Street, Consett.Mr. SIDDELL said he was authorised to state that Mr. Jenkins was willing to place this particular piece of land at the disposal of the Board on condition that it became responsible for its future management. If the Board consented to keep the place in proper order afterwards, the Company, he believed, were prepared to fence it in, make roads where they were required, place seats here and there, put gates at the top and bottom, and erect a platform for the convenience of a band of music. (Applause.) The land he had named would cover eight or ten acres, and, with the Blue Heaps, would be considerably more.Mr AYNSLEY considered that Mr. Jenkins’ offer was a splendid one. Mr Jenkins offered to put the place in order and hand it over to the Board complete.Mr. HUDSON: Will the ratepayers have to keep it in repair?Mr. SIDDELL: It will be handed over to you on condition that you manage it and keep it in order.Mr SHELL: That will not cost much.Mr. DUNNE: The offer is a very handsome one, and I beg to move that we accept it, and that we thank Mr Jenkins for his kindness.Mr. COLLINSON seconded the motion which was carried by acclamation.Mr. SIDDELL said the Company proposed to make an entrance at the low end of the Park, so that it would be available for the Blackhill people.Mr. HAWDON said perhaps they might be able to get a piece of land at the other end of the town by and by.Mr. SIDDELL said there was a piece of ground opposite Sherburn Terrace, and this might be made into a park some day.Mr. HAWDON said they would see how a Park was appreciated first. If they found that the place on Pasture Drift Road was insufficient to accommodate the public, no doubt the company would provide another place at the other end of the town.
In Other News
In Other News
The same page of the Consett Guardian reported on an event at Annfield Plain. In addition to the sports events, the highlights included the South Derwent Prize Band, Aunt Sally, Kiss-in-the-ring and dancing to the famous Quadrille Band. A quoiting competition took place, with a first prize of 15s. The sport of quoiting is played in the club house during our social evenings, but the stakes aren't so high.
There is a short History of Friendly Societies on the Friendly Societies website.
UNITED FRIENDLY SOCIETIES’ GALA AT ANNFIELD PLAINThe first annual gala and sports of the “Loyal Greenwell Lodge” No. 2,147 and other Friendly Societies took place on Saturday last in a field near the railway kindly granted for the occasion by Mr. Thompson Allen. There was an immense attendance and a capital “bill of fare” was issued by way of sport, which was carried on in a most successful manner the day being very fine and warm. We are sure that if this society, which is just recently formed, keeps up such well-regulated sports as these there need be no fear of them falling through. The South Derwent Prize Band under this distinguished leadership of Mr. J. Cassell, played selections of music during the afternoon. Tea was provided in a large marquee erected for the occasion and a large number of people partook of the good things which were supplied by Mr. Tindale of South Pontop. The following ladies very gracefully presided over the tables:- Mrs Pace jun., Miss Pace, Miss Calder, Miss Irwin, Miss Dixon, Miss Bullerwell, Miss Auterson, and Miss Foster. Among the most prominent we noticed the old but still very amusing pastime, Aunt Sally, with its noisy proprietor, who never seemed to be tired of shouting at the top of his voice “Three shies a penny”, and towards sunset we observed young men and women as though by instinct collected together in groups who very soon were to be seen engaged in the popular amusement of kiss-in-the-ring, which was carried on until it was almost too dark to see which way to run, when most of them adjourned to the large marquee, which had being cleared, and were soon lost in the giddy whirl of the dance, for which Mr. Thomas Walker’s famous Quadrille band had been engaged. Below will be seen the result of the day’s sports.<<< Results of cricket, high pole leaping, 120 yards handicap foot race, running high leap, 150 yards hurdle race, 100 yards handicap foot race for boys under 14 years of age. >>>QUOITINGFirst prize 15s.; second 10s. ; third 5s. There were forty-four entries for this match, which was a very long one, owing to there being only two sets of quoits on the ground. and it was almost impossible to see the hobs when the last quoit was thrown. The first prize, after some splendid playing, was won by Robert Armstrong; second, Paul Harrison Graham; third, Nicholas Freak.
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