History of Vale Head Park
VALE HEAD PARK, HEMSWORTH
taken from minutes of Hemsworth U.D.C.
Research of Minutes at Wakefield Archives done by Mrs. M. Ardron, and Mrs. G.Forrest
on 14th, 18th, and 25th September, 2006
1930
5th June It was resolved to purchase the land from Earl
Fitzwilliam.
21st July Surveyor to be instructed to prepare a complete scheme.
17th August Cr. Penlington reported on negotiations which had taken place with the Agent of Earl Fitzwilliam, and representatives of Messrs. W. Hanley and Sons.
It was resolved that the council purchase acres of land from Earl Fitzwilliam for the sum of £1,500 with tenant rights, compensation, and legal charges to be added in addition to
1st September Resolved to apply to the Minister of Health for his sanction to the borrowing of £1,800 for the purchase of the land.
15th September Resolved to submit plans for Park Keepers house, 2 Pools
(one for paddling, and one for boating), and to provide
Sand Pits.
Application made to the M.O.H. for sanction to borrow £8,308 (Plus £758 if deemed advisable) for the laying out of land and erection of buildings
.
24th November M.O.H. sanctioned a loan of £1,800 for the purchase of land
1931
16th March Resolved unanimously that the Common Seal of the Council be affixed to the Hemsworth Park and Playing Fields Compulsory Purchase Order, 1931.
9th September Surveyor to prepare a scheme for provision of 4 Tennis Courts and 1 Bowling Green
16th September Residents to be asked to purchase and plant trees if
they wish, and also Schools.
The Park will be open to the public to view the work that has been done on Saturday and Sunday 26th and 27th September, 2pm-5pm, and Saturday and Sunday 3rd and 4th October, 2pm-5pm
11th November Supply of Trees - Messrs. Backhouse of York £90.
Supply of Nursery Stock - Messrs. M. Kershaw of Brighouse £25..5..6d.
Tiling and provision of seats in shelters £128.
9th December Official Opening to take place on Good Friday 23rd March, 1932.
1932
6th January Park opening hours 8am - lhr after sunset or 10pm whichever is earlier, except Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb.,
to close 1/2hr after sunset
14th January Messrs. Raines of Wakefield - Entrance Gates and front railings £75., but to have a mortice lock instead of a warded lock.
3rd February Chairman to officially open the Park - Cr. I. Burns
A letter was received from the Rev. H. B. Hackforth
Who wrote and thanked the Council for altering the opening date from Good Friday.
Bronze nameplate to be supplied by Messrs. Johnson’s(Leeds)Ltd., for £10..7..0d including fixing.
A Dennis 24” Petrol Mower to be purchased through
J. J. Tait Ltd.
19th March Resolved that Cr. Lawton hire Hemsworth Colliery Athletic Club Brass Band from 2.30 - 6pm.
Mr. T. Shelton to cater for refreshments for the general public- subject to reasonable charges, on the ground between the entrance gates and the main road.
30th March Messrs. Chalker and King to supply Goal Posts £4.16.8d,
and Notice Board £8.15.0d
A night Watchman to be employed at 1/- per hour
26th May Ordered 6 prs of Music Stands £9.7.6d
21st June Plans for the Pavilion in the Park, to be provided out of monies allocated to the Council by the South Kirkby branch of the Miners’ Welfare Association, were submitted.
30th June Surveyor submitted amended Plans for the Pavilion subject to French Windows being substituted for ordinary windows.
5th July Putting Green and Golf to be ready for this weekend at 3d per round
17th July Income from the above for 6 days was £6.8.0d, and was considered satisfactory.
16th August Resolved that the suggestion of the Surveyor re installation of Central Heating be approved and adopted.
20th October
Tender to Messrs. Wm Hanley and Sons.
1933.
27th Mar. Fencing to be provided by Messrs, Sydney Raines of Wakefield at 5/- per
yard, and to be all British material and to have 2 coats of paint.
5th April Pavilion Furniture 4 x 4’.6” x 1’.6” tables round tables withmahogany tops and 20 Chairs
Tables £2.17.6d
Round £1.17.6d
Chairs 8.0s
23rd MayMessrs. W, Hanley and Sons, asked to commence work
on the Pavilion.
7th Dec. Surveyor to engage a Stonemason for the Rock Garden and retaining Wall at the
Bowling Green
20th July Requests from Goldthorpe Wesley Hall Silver Band, and Hemsworth Salvation Army Band
and Male Voice Choir to perform in the Park.
Tenders for Catering, Ice Cream. Minerals, Tobacco, and Cigarettes to be on an annual basis
Resolved to fix a bronze plaque to the Pavilion with the names of the Councillors, and Clerk on.
17th Aug.St Johns Ambulance granted use of the Park for a Drum Head Service
Local Miners’ Welfare Committee, donated £350. for Playing apparatus, and
£1,200.00 in respect of the Pavilion.
14th Sept Tender for Bowling Green to go to Merssrs. Conway’s Limited
For £1,214.00
1934
4th JanThe Pavilion almost ready for the opening day in March
1934.
1st Feb Official Opening to be 12th May, 1934 by Ald. Herbert Smith J.P. of Barnsley.
5th May OPENING CEREMONY
Invitations to all members of Hemsworth Urban District Council. Reps. of Miners’ Welfare Committee (Hemsworth and South Kirkby)
Cr. Burns to be Chairman of the opening Committee
The foreman working on the Park was Mr. A. Smart - l/8½ per hour.
For the Park Keeper there were 118 applicants, 4 were selected for
interview. Mr.H. Skinner of Alverthorpe was appointed, to commence
work on 13th July, 1931.
Mr. J. Stothard was to build the house, Messrs. Wm. Hanley and
Sons to build the greenhouses, and Mr. G. B, Hillier the coldframes.
46 men were employed on the Park Shelters
1) Near the Bandstand (field 267)
2) Crest of the hill - Rose Gardens
3) Paddling Pool (field 268 and field 267)
4) Bowling Green (field 268)
The Chairman’s clerk to engage 2 bands to play in September, at £8.
per Band for afternoon and evening performances.
Putting Green
No play allowed on Sundays.
Cost 2d per round - except Wednesday and Saturday afternoons then 1d per round
Rules for play - included that no person should stand close to or directly behind the ball or move,
or talk, when a player is making a stroke
Tickets not to be supplied to any intoxicated or disorderly person.
Tennis Season tickets to be 10/- (they were this price in 1953)
Cost 1/- per hour 6d for 1/2 hour - except Wednesday and Saturday afternoons then
6d per hour and 3d per 1/2 hour.
Minature Golf No play allowed on Sundays. 6d per round for 18 holes except
Wednesday and Saturday then 3d per round.