1891

1891

Opening of Consett Public Park

1891 saw the opening of Consett Park, with many thousands of people in attendance. The event was widely reported in the local and regional newspapers, including The Northern Echo, whose report dated 13th July 1891 is transcribed below.  The report appears to have been syndicated, although each newspaper chose which parts to print.

Of primary interest to us is the sentence "The park also contains two tennis courts and a couple of bowling greens".  As we will see in subsequent articles, this conflicts with claims of later greens being the first in the area.

The Northern Echo article is long, but there are lots of interesting snippets of information.  In describing the beauty of the park, there is a sentence that begins "The trees, which were selected to suit the high altitude, and will not be affected by the poisonous fumes from the works...".  An afternoon walk in a park affected by poisonous fumes doesn't seem like a healthy option; the fumes must have been a part of life in Consett and Blackhill.

The opening was well-attended with a parade "half a mile in length", and "15,000 to 20,000 gathered around the platform". 

Mrs Dale was presented with a gold key that was inscribed "Consett and Blackhill Park opened by Mrs Dale 11th of July, 1891", suggesting that the park's official name was Consett and Blackhill Park, although the press referred to it as Consett Park or Consett Public Park.

All of the businesses closed from 2 to 5 p.m. on the day of the opening.

The opening of Consett Park, 1891

OPENING OF CONSETT PUBLIC PARKAN IMPOSING CEREMONYPRESENTATION TO MRS D. DALESaturday marked an important epoch in the rise and progress of the flourishing iron town of Consett and the district was en fete on the occasion of the formal opening of the public park, thirty acres in extent, which is being generously presented and laid out at the expense of the directors of the Consett Iron Company at a cost of several thousand pounds, for the use of the inhabitants of Consett and Blackhill. The Consett Iron Company employ some 20,000 men and youths in their various collieries and works, and the new park will doubtless prove of great benefit to the people who toil in the iron and steel works in the glare of smelting furnaces, or to the hard working miner who spends most of his waking hours in the bowels of the earth. The park is on the east side of the turnpike between Consett and Blackhill and stretches the full distance between the two towns, having main entrances direct from either place. For years this land was little better than waste ground, being the receptacle for all kinds of rubbish, and was the most uncompromising place for a park that could possibly be conceived. It has now undergone a complete and pleasing transformation. There are gracefully curved carriage drives, 20 feet wide, with winding footpaths and secluded nooks. There are wide margins of grassplots with borders for shrubs, trees, flowers, &c which are of a hardy nature, and are blooming remarkably well. Altogether some 40,000 trees and foliage plants have been provided, and were supplied by the well-known firm of Messrs Jos. Robson & Sons, of Hexham, who furnished the designs for the landscape, and carried out the whole of the works in an efficient and satisfactory manner. The trees, which were selected to suit the high altitude, and will not be affected by the poisonous fumes from the works, consist of sycamore, elm, birch, mountain ash, willow &c., while the shrubs which are thriving best are golden and variegated cedars, double-blossom cherry, and a number of other varieties. The colours of the foliage have been skilfully blended, and produce an attractive effect. Mr. Duncan Smith, a landscape gardener with a squad of between 40 and 50 men have been at work for the past 18 months, and under the supervision of Mr. Smith the work of laying out and planting has been thoroughly well done, and Consett is now in the possession of one of the prettiest parks in the North of England. At the North End of the park nearest Blackhill a handsome bandstand has been erected at a cost of about £300, the whole structure having a picturesque and pleasing appearance, and harmonising well with its pleasant surroundings. The park also contains two tennis courts and a couple of bowling greens. It is intended to erect a shelter for refuge in wet weather, and two drinking fountains in the grounds. A plot of land is also set apart as a recreation ground for the children. It is mainly through the instrumentality of Ald. David Dale, J.P. of Darlington (managing director of the company) and Ald. W. Jenkins. J.P. of Consett Hall. the general manager, that the park has been called into existence.The weather on Saturday was dull but favourable. Both Consett and Blackhill were gaily decorated with flags and banners, while there was a profuse display of bunting across the main thoroughfares. At three o’clock a monster procession of the members of the various friendly societies, trades’ associations &c was formed in Sherburn-terrace, Consett, each lodge or union carrying its beautiful banner and emblems of the order, and being accompanied by half a dozen bands the procession marched by way of Front-street, Middle-street, Pasture Drift-road to Blackhill, when  Derwent-street, Durham-road, and Cemetery-road were traversed, and thence to the park. The procession was marshalled as follows:- Members of Benfieldside and Consett Local Boards and private carriages, League of the Cross Brass Band, Free Gardeners, League of the Cross, Mechanics, Leadgate Mission Brass Band, Oddfellows, Sons of Temperance and Cadets, Consett Iron Company’s Band, Catholic Benefit Society, Consett Mission Brass Band, and the undermentioned trades’ unions:- Blackhill Drift, Enginemen and Firemen, National Federation, Tyneside National Labour Union, Associated Iron and Steel Workers, Bricklayers, Mechanics, Steel Smelters, Cokemen, Blastfurnacemen, Blackhill Mission Brass Band, and the general public (including the local ambulance corps). About 3000 persons walked in the procession, which reached nearly a mile and a half in length. In the meantime the Leadgate Saxhorn Band occupied the bandstand in the park. It had intended when the huge procession arrived at the principle entrance near St. Aidan’s Church for Ald. Jenkins, on behalf of the directors and shareholders of the Consett Company to present Mrs David Dale with a gold key to open the park, but this ceremony was deferred till later on. A temporary platform had been erected in the park and upon this was stationed leading residents of the district, including Ald. and Mrs Dale. Darlington; Ald. and Mrs Jenkins, Consett; Mr W Jenkins jun. and misses Jenkins; Mr Thos. H. Bainbridge, Newcastle, a director of the Consett Iron Company; County Councillors Jas. Annandale, J.P., Shotley Bridge; Richard Murray, Benfieldside House, Mr. T Siddell, Cutters Hall; D.A.D. McIntyre, Consett; Mr Adam Brody, Consett; the members of the Consett and Benfieldside Local Boards, and several clergymen and ministers, besides a great number of ladies. It is computed that from 15,000 to 20,000 people assembled around the platform, while considerable numbers rambled about the park.Ald. Jenkins, in the course of his speech stated that fortunately for him during the twenty-two years he had acted as general manager of the Consett Iron and Steel Works the company had had remarkable success - a success which was scarcely paralleled in the history of the iron and steel trades of that district, a success in which the working man shared, and a success which the directors and shareholders of the Consett Company also shared. (Cheers.) He trusted they would long continue to maintain the position they held. It would be found that the working men of Consett would compare most favourably with the artisan classes of other districts, either as regards their social, moral or general welfare. The condition of the houses in which they lived and the comforts they enjoyed was certainly not inferior to other places that he knew of. (Applause.) Having referred to the conditions of labour and the surroundings of working men fifty years ago, he contrasted the differences existing between 1841 and 1891, and he attributed much of the improvement to the influence of educational progress and the activity of the neighbouring Local Boards, the members being anxious to provide the people of Consett with the same comforts and privileges as were enjoyed in any part of England. It was due to the enterprise of two gentlemen of Consett to provide a population of some 50,000 or 60,000 people with a supply of pure and wholesome water, and this great number were dependent upon the Consett Water Company for their service. When he (Mr Jenkins) first came to Consett, where all these houses were built was simply a bog or a morass, and a disgrace to the whole district. All the houses built by the Consett Iron Company had every attention paid to sanitary arrangements and were constructed so as to promote the health and comfort of the working class population. (Applause.) No person had done more to further this well-being of the people, or had been more closely identified with the progress and prosperity of Consett than the Chairman of the Directors (Mr Dale) during the 33 years he had been connected with the district. (Applause.) He had within him not only the commercial elements, not only a clear head on commercial matters, but he had a sympathy for the work-people and those who were associated with him. Mr Dale possessed a kind feeling and a kind heart, and while endeavouring to do something for himself he always strove to do something for others as well. He trusted, although it was hardly to be expected. that Mr Dale would live for another 33 years, and be identified with the prosperity of the Consett Company. (Applause.) He (Ald. Jenkins)  sincerely hoped the day of adversity would not overtake Consett. They had now reached the pinnacle of their prosperity, and he trusted that they would long continue to maintain that position. (Cheers.) The success attending the Consett Iron Company was due to the fact of employers and employees cooperating together for their mutual benefit, and so long as this feeling of reciprocity existed at Consett so long would they maintain the height of prosperity at Consett. There was not much poetry in either a furnace or a coalpit, and as the company employed some good men in that district it was deemed necessary to find some place for the working man to spend their leisure hours in innocent recreation, and to enjoy the beauties of nature close to their own homes. He urged that the park should not be used for improper and unhallowed purposes. There was no question in which the Government were displaying so much interest in as a condition and daily surroundings of the working classes, and he thought that they were highly honoured at Consett in having Mr David Dale placed at the head of the Royal Commission on Labour. (Cheers.) Without flattering Mr Dale he (the speaker) must say that no person had a better knowledge of the history of the working man or knew his wants and frailties. The sturdy working man of the North declared that he did not desire legislative interference with his hours of labour, while the men in South Wales wish parliament to regulate their hours to eight per day. He (Mr Jenkins) believed that the workmen of the North were right. They knew  the extent of their powers and what they could accomplish, and declined to be dictated to as to how long they could work. (Applause.) After paying a flattering tribute to Mrs Dale in assisting her husband’s work, Mr Jenkins (acting on behalf of the directors and shareholders of the Consett Iron Company) presented Mrs Dale with an elegant and massive gold key designed in the offices of the company by Messrs Evans and Oliver. and supplied by Messrs Reid & Sons, Newcastle. The key bore the inscription: Consett and Blackhill Park opened by Mrs Dale 11th of July, 1891. It was signed by the initials of Mr Dale, Mr H.T. Morton (a director) and Mr Jenkins.Mrs DALE, who was accorded a most enthusiastic welcome, returned thanks for the beautiful present. She said that she felt highly honoured indeed at meeting such an enormous assembly and witnessing such an extraordinary sight as that which met her view, and considered that anybody would feel interested in a place like Consett. (Applause.) Her connection with Consett was through her husband. No one took a greater interest in the town and district the Mr Dale. (Applause.) Whatever interested her husband also interested herself. She had no idea that there was such a large population in the district. The Consett Ironworks were known all over the world. Some twelve months ago Mr Dale attended the International Labour Conference in Germany and even in that country the Consett works were well known, and their products very highly appreciated. (Loud cheers.) She said to show them that their good works went all over the earth. She had once been through their iron and steel works, and hoped to have the pleasure of going over them again. Knowing the daily toil they had to endure in these works she was very glad indeed that a park had been provided for them. The beauties of nature were always pleasant to look at, and those confined for hours in the works must be in want of fresh air. Every Englishman liked to have a garden, but as it was impossible for everyone to acquire such in towns, then the next best thing was a public park and recreation ground. Having resided in London for many years she was fully aware of the pleasures of having the privilege of visiting the parks and seeing the greensward, the foliage of the trees, and the beautiful flowers. She trusted that the next occasion she visited Consett that place would have become a really beautiful and picturesque park. (Applause.) They might not live to see the trees grow to a good height, but there were many children who might be here some forty or fifty years hence, and would perhaps watch this transformation, and  remember the benefactors of that park. She hoped the same kind spirit would continue to exist between the employees and employees at Consett, as she honestly believed prevailed at present, and that the park would prove a blessing to the inhabitants generally. She had to declare the park open, but from the vast numbers already inside it was self-evident that the place was already open. (Laughter.) She concluded by expressing a hope that the blessing of God would rest upon the park, upon the town, and the upon the people. (Applause.)Mr GEORGE LOWES, president of the Mechanics Association, moved to the following resolution:- “That we, the employés of the Consett Iron Company, and the public of Consett and Blackhill generally, accord a hearty vote of thanks to the Consett Iron Company for the generous gift of a park and the handsome and liberal way in which they have laid it out. We trust that this great boon will be thoroughly appreciated, and that every effort will be used by the people to protect and and prevent any damage being done to it. (Applause.)Mr A.R. TURNER (Blackhill) seconded, and Mr J. Summerbell (National Labour Federation), Consett, supported the resolution, which was carried by acclamation.Mr. DAVID DALE, who was well received, on behalf of the directors and shareholders of the Consett Iron Company acknowledged their indebtedness to the general public for the enthusiastic way in which they had organised a demonstration on the occasion of the opening of the park, and their evident appreciation of it by their expressions of gratitude to Consett Iron Company. Speaking of the origin of the park, Mr Dale stated that ever since Mr Jenkins came into the district he had so administered the great works as to render the concern the highest, the most efficient, and the most prosperous works in the world - speaking of works of a similar character. (Loud cheers.) If Mr Jenkins, however, had confined himself to this alone they would not have had the privilege of gathering in that park that afternoon. It was through Mr Jenkins's initiative, and the support accorded him by the Board of Directors to his recommendation, that this district owed so much to the improved sanitary conditions and better surroundings at the present day. (Applause.) Mr Jenkins had always urged the directors to provide more house accommodation, and this they had been carrying out for some time now, and Mr Jenkins had advised that the dwellings should be of the best material and workmanship, and so constructed as to be perfect in their sanitary surroundings, in order that they would be conducive to the health and enjoyment of the working classes. Mr Jenkins had likewise rendered every aid towards the erection of churches, chapels, schools, reading rooms &c in our district. He displayed a good deal of activity in the building of the spacious Town Hall and it was through Mr Jenkin’s instrumentality that the park has been called into existence - (Cheers.) and the directors of the Consett Iron Company always listened to and supported his recommendations. Although the country was within easy distance of Consett, still a park at their very doors was absolutely essential, and Mr Dale concluded with a strong appeal  to the residents to be vigilant and not permit any portion of the park or its plants to be wilfully or wantonly destroyed or applied to an improper purpose (Applause.)Mr THOMAS H. BAINBRIDGE, Newcastle (a director of the Consett Company), also offered a few remarks, pointing out the beautiful transformation of the park from a howling wilderness only fit for dragons to live in. (Laughter.) It had afforded much gratification to the directors to provide the inhabitants of Consett with a public park. (Applause). He moved that the best thanks be tended to Mrs and Mr Dale for their services that afternoon.This was seconded by the Rev. T.J. STOREY, M.A., vicar of Blackhill, and carried unanimously, ringing cheers being given to Mr and Mrs Dale, Mr and Mrs Jenkins, and others.Afterwards Mrs Dale, Mrs Jenkins, and Mr T. Siddell, of Viewfield (as the oldest officer of the company), planted in the park three trees, which had been presented by Messrs Robson, of Hexham.The successful proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem and a doxology.At intervals the various bands performed selections of music. A joyous peal was also rung on the church bells, the local ringers being assisted by four men from Durham City. The afternoon was regarded as a general holiday, all the business establishments being closed from 2 to 5 p.m.
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