Continuing an occasional series into the parks of Kirklees, historian PETER DAVIES takes a look at Greenhead Park which has remained a big attraction since its Victorian heyday. It still boasts an estimated 250,000 visitors a year and with restoration plans under way is aiming for a bright future
GREENHEAD PARK, situated close to the town centre and stretching into Gledholt, can claim to be Huddersfield’s premier park.
It has an estimated 250,000 visitors per year, according to Kirklees Council figures.
The idea for a park in this part of the town was first mooted in 1858 and again in 1868.
Local businessman Thomas Denham was a key influence: In 1869, he halted a plan to build houses on the land and stated, “By opening a park, people would have the opportunity of breathing fresh air and even amusing themselves.”
In 1870, the park started to open during the summer months. In 1872, Huddersfield’s Rifle Volunteer Band and Choral Society gave an evening prom concert and the following year Huddersfield Floral and Horticultural Society put on a show.
Then, in 1880, Huddersfield Corporation bought the park off Sir John W Ramsden, the main landowner in the town, for £30,000.
In 1884, the park was officially opened and the mayor, Alderman Wright Mellor, celebrated the “beautifying” of the park with a dinner for 300 guests – which was deemed a “hearty and complete success”.
However, the Examiner reported that in the town the advent of the park was greeted by “half-heartedness” and “an entire absence of enthusiasm” – mainly because of the cost implications.
Greenhead Park was built on open fields and, according to Kirklees Council, “on opening, the park offered a range of genteel pursuits for visitors, including a series of five ornamental lakes and lakeside viewing arbours, a bandstand, the ornamental bedding of the Italian Gardens, together with a raised terrace which was planned for the construction of a glass pavilion.”
This wasn’t built, but the terrace – the Belvedere – became the site for the war memorial.
In 1927, tennis courts, bowling and putting greens plus a pavilion were added to the park at a cost of £25,000.
Sadly, one recent BBC report announced that, “Since its opening in 1884, Greenhead Park’s original glory has faded.
“The iron railings surrounding the park and entrance gates were removed during World War Two, possibly for the so-called Spitfire fund, and four of its five ornamental lakes have been filled in.”
Whatever the verdict, the park has had an interesting life.
In was gifted a drinking fountain from Huddersfield Temperance Society in its early days – and during the Second World War staged “Holidays at Home”.
It hosted Rebecca’s Well – “Rebecca, dear, beside her well, For years in Greenhead Park did dwell” – and in recent years its Elm-tree stumps have acquired special ‘arty’ carvings.
The park has also welcomed the Chinese State Circus, Kirklees Mela, Huddersfield Carnival, Party in the Park, and various running events including Run for It and Race for Life.
In November 2008, it was the venue for a special Balloon Walk in memory of campaigning Examiner journalist Adrian Sudbury.
Today, facilities include a basketball court, bowling green, café, children’s play area, conservatory, crazy golf, orienteering course, putting, five-a-side football, tennis courts, bouncy castle, paddling pool and donkey rides.
Local people like to reminisce about the park.
Writer Ronnie Bray remembers a song that was sung in mock irony about the place:
Please keep off the grass
To let the ladies pass
Greenhead Park
Is up to the mark
So please keep off the grass.
For Sue Hanson, a pupil at Greenhead High School for Girls between 1968 and 1973: “The tennis courts were much enjoyed and a Coletta’s ice cream in the café never tasted better than after an energetic set or two.
“Halcyon days, perhaps; one never felt anything less than safe at all times – no bad behaviour, nothing threatening or intimidating seemed to occur.”
And author Raymond Prior adds: “We would stroll round the pond, smiling and nodding, or speaking to many people whom we knew, all looking fashionable and smart, before joining the crush in the grotto.”
Recently, a popular skate park has been built and there’s also a miniature steam railway, operated by the Huddersfield Society of Model Engineers.
And the park’s future looks bright.
It has received a £3.75m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support restoration work.
Councillor Liz Smaje, cabinet member for Leisure and Neighbourhood Services on Kirklees Council, said: “The restoration of Greenhead Park has been talked about for many years and now it is actually going to happen.”
The project includes:
Reinstatement of the ornamental lake, railings and gates, repair of the bandstand, fountains, lodge and war memorial,
Restoration of the conservatory and new restaurant,
Refurbishment of café, toilets and offices,
Introduction of new signage and more plants.
Robert Whittaker, Kirklees Parks Development Officer, said: “The improved facilities will help the park continue to play a part in the lives of Huddersfield people for another 100 years.”
Today, the Friends of Greenhead Park meet regularly to discuss the future of the 34-acre park and its meetings are often attended by Mr Whittaker and the main park warden Bal Sidhu and other guests.
