Bolsover's parks
If you have any photos, stories, quotes, or family history linked to Bolsover's parks, we'd love to hear from you and publish them here.
Bolsover Colliery Company
Emerson Muschamp Bainbridge
Emerson Muschamp Bainbridge (1845-1911) acquired leases to mine beneath the Portland Estate at Creswell and Bolsover and in June 1890 sinking began in Bolsover. The colliery stood to the north of Chesterfield Road and spoil heaps and brick yards to the south of the main road. Further south still between 1891-1896 the company developed a Model Village known as New Bolsover. Complete with schools, an institute, a co-operative store and community facilities, this scheme became the blue-print for a much larger one in Cresswell, smaller villages were also built in their Nottinghamshire coalfields. In 1923 the company acquired Edwinstowe Hall in Sherwood Forest, which for twenty years served as a recreation centre for the entire workforce. The Bolsover Company maintained its interest in providing good homes for its workers all through its history.
Bainbridge's interest in improved housing can be seen as an example of enlightened paternalism. The Bolsover Colliery Company was among the most progressive in the Derbyshire coalfield. As well as installing pit-head baths at all its collieries, in 1935 it appointed a safety officer and introduced a number of safety measures, including the provision without charge of protective helmets and gloves. In 1936 it initiated a scheme for paid holdiays, closing its pits for a week in the summer and making cash gifts to all miners. Ref:EnglandsPastforEveryone
Bainbridge's interest in improved housing can be seen as an example of enlightened paternalism. The Bolsover Colliery Company was among the most progressive in the Derbyshire coalfield. As well as installing pit-head baths at all its collieries, in 1935 it appointed a safety officer and introduced a number of safety measures, including the provision without charge of protective helmets and gloves. In 1936 it initiated a scheme for paid holdiays, closing its pits for a week in the summer and making cash gifts to all miners. Ref:EnglandsPastforEveryone
Vale Park, Carr Vale
Vale Park, Bainbridge Hall
Bainbridge Hall was originally built by Emerson Bainbridge as an orphanage to house children whose fathers died in the service of the Bolsover Colliery Company. It is pictured here with children at play on the park in about 1939.
Mid 1970s Bainbridge Hall gets a new lease of life
From the mid 1970s Bainbridge Hall was renovated and became community buildings for New Bolsover and Carr Vale.
The park was redeveloped and is very popular with families, the picnic tables are in frequent use.
Mid 1970s Bainbridge Hall gets a new lease of life
From the mid 1970s Bainbridge Hall was renovated and became community buildings for New Bolsover and Carr Vale.
The park was redeveloped and is very popular with families, the picnic tables are in frequent use.
The Green, New Bolsover
The Green, Model Village, New Bolsover
1891-96
New Bolsover was built in the Model Village design, with housing surrounding a central village green. Brass bands would play on Sunday afternoons, and the nearby cricket pitch hosted matches. The Green was, and still is, an integral part of the Model, and Bainbridge's ideals to help improve and sustain the well being of his workers and their families.
Our other Beast of Bolsover
This large open space has a toddler's play area which was redeveloped with help from a £14,000 donation from the Greenbank Trust. Plus a replication built by school children of the fossilised remains of a giant dragonfly with an enormous 22 inch wing span, unearthed 300 ft down Bolsover colliery in 1978. 300 million years old, it’s one of the oldest known flying creatures, taken to the Natural History Museum and given the name Erasipteron bolsoveri. The Bolsover Dragonfly Project Creswell Crags (31/03/2012 - 30/09/2012)
New Bolsover was built in the Model Village design, with housing surrounding a central village green. Brass bands would play on Sunday afternoons, and the nearby cricket pitch hosted matches. The Green was, and still is, an integral part of the Model, and Bainbridge's ideals to help improve and sustain the well being of his workers and their families.
Our other Beast of Bolsover
This large open space has a toddler's play area which was redeveloped with help from a £14,000 donation from the Greenbank Trust. Plus a replication built by school children of the fossilised remains of a giant dragonfly with an enormous 22 inch wing span, unearthed 300 ft down Bolsover colliery in 1978. 300 million years old, it’s one of the oldest known flying creatures, taken to the Natural History Museum and given the name Erasipteron bolsoveri. The Bolsover Dragonfly Project Creswell Crags (31/03/2012 - 30/09/2012)
Hornscroft Park, Bolsover
Hornscroft Park, showing entrenchments
Late 1800s horseracing
Prior to becoming a Recreation Ground it is believed the field was used for horseracing for the pleasure of the Duke of Portland and local dignitaries.
1921 Recreation Ground
Once regarded as the 'Jewel in the Crown' of Bolsover's parks the Hornscroft, as it's known locally was gifted to the Town by the Duchess of Portland in 1921 on her son's 21st birthday and is held in Convenant.
Gift of the Hornscroft, Bolsover, Derbyshire for the use as a Recreation Ground, 1914-15. Free conveyance from William J.A.C.J. (6th Duke of Portland and William Henry Arthur Cavendish Bentick (commonly known as The Marquess of Titchfield) to the Bolsover Urban District Council, of 7 ares of land in the parish of Bolsover, Derbyshire called the Hornscroft; the land is to be used as a Public Park or Pleasure Grounds; it is not to be built upon; except for a specified plot on which the Council may erect a building for the purposes of storing fire appliances; mines and mineral rights reserved to the vendor; covenant for repossession should the land cease to be used for a recreation ground. Ref/Deeds & Documents of the Duke of Portland
1937 National Fitness Park
The park was originally formally laid out in 1937 as a designated National Fitness Park and for many years played host to a range of activity and sports groups many of which later fell into decline with the closure of the local coal mines in the 1980s and 90s.
1939 'a nation of anaemic weaklings'
Today's fears about obesity and the effects of sedentary lives are, in fact, an echo of 1930's Britain when austerity, rather than over-indulgence sparked a similar neurosis about public health and led to the first ever fitness craze. During World War I, authorities were shocked by the feebleness of military recruits with 40% in the lowest medical category. But by 1939 the country had been transformed from 'a nation of anaemic weaklings' to one with an obsession for public health. This change was due to several factors, but none greater than Mollie Bagot Stack, founder of the Women's League of Health and Beauty in 1930, and foremother of today's fitness obsession. She promoted her philosophy of exercise structured and graded to the needs of all ages and abilities, and taught by trained physicians, through huge public displays. The first, in Hyde Park, drew 160,000 members whose activities were documented on the newsreels of the day. Mrs Bagot Stack had long been interested in exercise when, in the 20s she moved to Manchester, where she saw women working in mills could benefit from exercise to invigorate them after a hard day. In 1937 the government harnessed the momentum built by the Women's League and began a national health campaign. Healthy eating was also being pushed.... history repeats itself.
1980's, 1990's, 2000s decades of decline
During this time the park fell into decline and became derelict. The Council did not maintain the park, flower beds from a bygone era were left untended as was the bowling green, tennis courts and open-air chess board, all fell into disrepair and became unusable, adding to the dereliction. Neglected the park attracted vandals. Anti-social behaviour increased including drinking, drugs and arson, resulting in the Pavilion being pulled down. For years the park remained in this sorry state, it was a no-go area and an eyesore, a very sad time in the park's history.
1990's - to-date Swimming Baths
We cannot describe the history of Hornscroft Park without writing about swimming baths. Bolsover had a swimming baths in Carr Vale, a legacy of the Old Bolsover Colliery Company. Due to high repair and maintenance costs Bolsover District Council (BDC) closed the baths in 1990. Campaign group Bolsover Leisure & Baths (BLAB) through years of campaigning and community fund raising got to the point in 2002 where it looked like a £4.5m Leisure Complex would be built on Hornscroft Park. Plans included a 25m swimming pool, health suite, dance studio, gym, IT training room, plus community function hall, meeting rooms and cafe. BLAB's long campaign to bring leisure facilities to Bolsover appeared to be successful. Old Bolsover Town Council (OBTC) agreed to lease the Hornscroft site for 99-years at a peppercorn rent. BLAB gained the support of 40 partnership groups and was seeking Lottery funding. Hopes were high. Plans were approved to build using money from the sale of allotment land for housing development - but this was successfully opposed. And here the story goes cold. We are not privy to BDC's decisions why the Leisure Complex was never built. We do understand why some people's resolute response is still: "Why don't you build a swimming baths on Hornscroft Park, what happened to the money?"
2006 Friends of Hornscroft Parks founded
Sick and tired of the state of Hornscroft Park a group of local people came together and founded Friends of Hornscroft Park. Working with David Kee, formerly OBTC's Town Clerk, we input our ideas and took practical steps to improve the park. David Kee was instrumental in forming a strategy to improve all five derelict parks in Bolsover and invited us to broaden our scope to cover them all for his funding bid. The Play & Recreation Project and funding acquired by David delivered transformational changes. David leaves a legacy for generations to come and was insturmental in paving the way for excellent new beginnings for all five parks in Bolsover.
2008 a new beginning
With a £150,000 investment from OBTC's Play & Recreation Project a new Play Area tailored for small children with soft landing, seating, fencing and litter bins is installed. The park is better maintained and tidier. The Friends also litter pick and organise events in Hornscroft Park to increase awareness of improvements and use. Cavendish Trail, introduced by Bolsover Civic Society, highlights the park's history. Surrounded by and linked to a conservation area and Bolsover Castle, it contains medieval entrenchments, a listed ancient monument. A public right of way also runs through the park and forms part of the Cavendish Trail, an important component of the Council's drive to attract visitors.
2009 - 2010 making headway and the Gala's back
Hornscroft Park was better maintained and whilst it still had some way to go to return to its former glory, it was a pleasure to see it return to a popular recreational space once again. The old bowling green was not included in OBTC's Play & Recreation Project, so in 2009 Friends took on the task to raise funds to redvelop this space. Many hours were spent in public consultation, writing bids, preparing information and submitting funding bids. Twice we were turned down by two funders, then we submitted our bid to Community Spaces, Lottery Fund and three years later in 2012 we were successful.
In June 2009, Friends of Bolsover Parks reintroduced Bolsover Gala. A big step for our small group as first we had to acquire funding. We delivered a very successful event. Hornscroft Park was packed with hundreds of families enjoying the day. We were urged to continue with an annual Gala, and we've done so on the last Sunday in June every year since 2009.
In Spring 2010 a further strand of the Play & Recreation Project was delivered with a new Ball Park and equipment for teenagers.
2012 Friends of Bolsover Parks successful Lottery Bid
Our bid for Lottery funding was successful and we were awarded a grant of just under £50,000 to turn the old Bowling Green into an outdoor auditorium and garden. We appointed an architect, a garden designer, got planning permission, English Heritage approval, Council approval, had topographical survey, archeological survey and tendered for a contractor. Work finally started in Autumn 2012 on The Bowl.
Prior to becoming a Recreation Ground it is believed the field was used for horseracing for the pleasure of the Duke of Portland and local dignitaries.
1921 Recreation Ground
Once regarded as the 'Jewel in the Crown' of Bolsover's parks the Hornscroft, as it's known locally was gifted to the Town by the Duchess of Portland in 1921 on her son's 21st birthday and is held in Convenant.
Gift of the Hornscroft, Bolsover, Derbyshire for the use as a Recreation Ground, 1914-15. Free conveyance from William J.A.C.J. (6th Duke of Portland and William Henry Arthur Cavendish Bentick (commonly known as The Marquess of Titchfield) to the Bolsover Urban District Council, of 7 ares of land in the parish of Bolsover, Derbyshire called the Hornscroft; the land is to be used as a Public Park or Pleasure Grounds; it is not to be built upon; except for a specified plot on which the Council may erect a building for the purposes of storing fire appliances; mines and mineral rights reserved to the vendor; covenant for repossession should the land cease to be used for a recreation ground. Ref/Deeds & Documents of the Duke of Portland
1937 National Fitness Park
The park was originally formally laid out in 1937 as a designated National Fitness Park and for many years played host to a range of activity and sports groups many of which later fell into decline with the closure of the local coal mines in the 1980s and 90s.
1939 'a nation of anaemic weaklings'
Today's fears about obesity and the effects of sedentary lives are, in fact, an echo of 1930's Britain when austerity, rather than over-indulgence sparked a similar neurosis about public health and led to the first ever fitness craze. During World War I, authorities were shocked by the feebleness of military recruits with 40% in the lowest medical category. But by 1939 the country had been transformed from 'a nation of anaemic weaklings' to one with an obsession for public health. This change was due to several factors, but none greater than Mollie Bagot Stack, founder of the Women's League of Health and Beauty in 1930, and foremother of today's fitness obsession. She promoted her philosophy of exercise structured and graded to the needs of all ages and abilities, and taught by trained physicians, through huge public displays. The first, in Hyde Park, drew 160,000 members whose activities were documented on the newsreels of the day. Mrs Bagot Stack had long been interested in exercise when, in the 20s she moved to Manchester, where she saw women working in mills could benefit from exercise to invigorate them after a hard day. In 1937 the government harnessed the momentum built by the Women's League and began a national health campaign. Healthy eating was also being pushed.... history repeats itself.
1980's, 1990's, 2000s decades of decline
During this time the park fell into decline and became derelict. The Council did not maintain the park, flower beds from a bygone era were left untended as was the bowling green, tennis courts and open-air chess board, all fell into disrepair and became unusable, adding to the dereliction. Neglected the park attracted vandals. Anti-social behaviour increased including drinking, drugs and arson, resulting in the Pavilion being pulled down. For years the park remained in this sorry state, it was a no-go area and an eyesore, a very sad time in the park's history.
1990's - to-date Swimming Baths
We cannot describe the history of Hornscroft Park without writing about swimming baths. Bolsover had a swimming baths in Carr Vale, a legacy of the Old Bolsover Colliery Company. Due to high repair and maintenance costs Bolsover District Council (BDC) closed the baths in 1990. Campaign group Bolsover Leisure & Baths (BLAB) through years of campaigning and community fund raising got to the point in 2002 where it looked like a £4.5m Leisure Complex would be built on Hornscroft Park. Plans included a 25m swimming pool, health suite, dance studio, gym, IT training room, plus community function hall, meeting rooms and cafe. BLAB's long campaign to bring leisure facilities to Bolsover appeared to be successful. Old Bolsover Town Council (OBTC) agreed to lease the Hornscroft site for 99-years at a peppercorn rent. BLAB gained the support of 40 partnership groups and was seeking Lottery funding. Hopes were high. Plans were approved to build using money from the sale of allotment land for housing development - but this was successfully opposed. And here the story goes cold. We are not privy to BDC's decisions why the Leisure Complex was never built. We do understand why some people's resolute response is still: "Why don't you build a swimming baths on Hornscroft Park, what happened to the money?"
2006 Friends of Hornscroft Parks founded
Sick and tired of the state of Hornscroft Park a group of local people came together and founded Friends of Hornscroft Park. Working with David Kee, formerly OBTC's Town Clerk, we input our ideas and took practical steps to improve the park. David Kee was instrumental in forming a strategy to improve all five derelict parks in Bolsover and invited us to broaden our scope to cover them all for his funding bid. The Play & Recreation Project and funding acquired by David delivered transformational changes. David leaves a legacy for generations to come and was insturmental in paving the way for excellent new beginnings for all five parks in Bolsover.
2008 a new beginning
With a £150,000 investment from OBTC's Play & Recreation Project a new Play Area tailored for small children with soft landing, seating, fencing and litter bins is installed. The park is better maintained and tidier. The Friends also litter pick and organise events in Hornscroft Park to increase awareness of improvements and use. Cavendish Trail, introduced by Bolsover Civic Society, highlights the park's history. Surrounded by and linked to a conservation area and Bolsover Castle, it contains medieval entrenchments, a listed ancient monument. A public right of way also runs through the park and forms part of the Cavendish Trail, an important component of the Council's drive to attract visitors.
2009 - 2010 making headway and the Gala's back
Hornscroft Park was better maintained and whilst it still had some way to go to return to its former glory, it was a pleasure to see it return to a popular recreational space once again. The old bowling green was not included in OBTC's Play & Recreation Project, so in 2009 Friends took on the task to raise funds to redvelop this space. Many hours were spent in public consultation, writing bids, preparing information and submitting funding bids. Twice we were turned down by two funders, then we submitted our bid to Community Spaces, Lottery Fund and three years later in 2012 we were successful.
In June 2009, Friends of Bolsover Parks reintroduced Bolsover Gala. A big step for our small group as first we had to acquire funding. We delivered a very successful event. Hornscroft Park was packed with hundreds of families enjoying the day. We were urged to continue with an annual Gala, and we've done so on the last Sunday in June every year since 2009.
In Spring 2010 a further strand of the Play & Recreation Project was delivered with a new Ball Park and equipment for teenagers.
2012 Friends of Bolsover Parks successful Lottery Bid
Our bid for Lottery funding was successful and we were awarded a grant of just under £50,000 to turn the old Bowling Green into an outdoor auditorium and garden. We appointed an architect, a garden designer, got planning permission, English Heritage approval, Council approval, had topographical survey, archeological survey and tendered for a contractor. Work finally started in Autumn 2012 on The Bowl.
King George V Playing Field, Bolsover
King George V Plaque
936 National Memorial Fund Committee raise funds
King George V died on 20th January, 1936, and a National Memorial Fund Committee set about raising funds to assist in the purchase of playing fields in memory of the late King. On 3rd November, 1936, the King George's Fields Foundation was constituted by Trust Deed:
' To promote and to assist in the establishment throughout the UK of playing fields for the use and enjoyment of the people every such playing field to be styled 'King George's Field and to be distinguished by heraldic panels or other appropriate tablet medallion or inscription commemorative of His Late majesty and of a design approved by the Administrative Council'.
There are 471 King George the V1 Playing Fields all over the country, owned by the National Playing Fields Association and managed on their behalf by either the council or a board of local trustees. There are strict covenants and conditions that all go to ensure the public will continue to benefit from these open play areas.
2009 Play & Recreation Project
This park is part of Old Bolsover Town Council's Play & Recreation Project.
King George V died on 20th January, 1936, and a National Memorial Fund Committee set about raising funds to assist in the purchase of playing fields in memory of the late King. On 3rd November, 1936, the King George's Fields Foundation was constituted by Trust Deed:
' To promote and to assist in the establishment throughout the UK of playing fields for the use and enjoyment of the people every such playing field to be styled 'King George's Field and to be distinguished by heraldic panels or other appropriate tablet medallion or inscription commemorative of His Late majesty and of a design approved by the Administrative Council'.
There are 471 King George the V1 Playing Fields all over the country, owned by the National Playing Fields Association and managed on their behalf by either the council or a board of local trustees. There are strict covenants and conditions that all go to ensure the public will continue to benefit from these open play areas.
2009 Play & Recreation Project
This park is part of Old Bolsover Town Council's Play & Recreation Project.
Shuttlewood Park
Did you know Shuttlewood could have been a spa town? EA Downman, History of Bolsover, 1895 tells the story, link.
In 1952, The 'Rec' as locals call it was gifted by the Miners Welfare Organisation to the local council. In 2011, 86 year old Grace Hewitt, from Shuttlewood remembers: "I've lived in Shuttlewood all my life and love this area. I can remember my mum not wanting me to go up to the park. As I am an only child and we lived at the other end of the village to the park, she always wanted to know where I was. But I used to run off and play with my friends on the park. We had swings and slides and used to make up games. I have very happy memories of Shuttlewood Park, simple pleasures, basic play really but we had lots of fun, not worrying about the weather or anything." Chuckling Grace shared her attempts at being an entrepreneur. "A pear tree used to hang over our wall, useless pears really, very hard and no good to anyone, but I scooped them up and sold them on the park for 1p a bag, until someone complained. So that was the end of me being a salesman."
2009 Play & Recreation Project
This park has been developed with new park equipment as part of Old Bolsover Town Council's Play & Recreation Project. Near a busy cross-roads and across from Shuttlewood school this is a poplualr park for the local children. The football pitch is still well used.
In 1952, The 'Rec' as locals call it was gifted by the Miners Welfare Organisation to the local council. In 2011, 86 year old Grace Hewitt, from Shuttlewood remembers: "I've lived in Shuttlewood all my life and love this area. I can remember my mum not wanting me to go up to the park. As I am an only child and we lived at the other end of the village to the park, she always wanted to know where I was. But I used to run off and play with my friends on the park. We had swings and slides and used to make up games. I have very happy memories of Shuttlewood Park, simple pleasures, basic play really but we had lots of fun, not worrying about the weather or anything." Chuckling Grace shared her attempts at being an entrepreneur. "A pear tree used to hang over our wall, useless pears really, very hard and no good to anyone, but I scooped them up and sold them on the park for 1p a bag, until someone complained. So that was the end of me being a salesman."
2009 Play & Recreation Project
This park has been developed with new park equipment as part of Old Bolsover Town Council's Play & Recreation Project. Near a busy cross-roads and across from Shuttlewood school this is a poplualr park for the local children. The football pitch is still well used.
Stanfree Park
If you know about Stanfree Park's history or have old photographs, please email us.
2009 Play & Recreation Project
Just down the road from Shuttlewood Park, this park is also part of Old Bolsover Town Council's Play & Recreation Project. Stanfree Park has a lovely open aspect and long views. The new park equipment and a large sloping site provides space and equipment for children to enjoy and run around.
2009 Play & Recreation Project
Just down the road from Shuttlewood Park, this park is also part of Old Bolsover Town Council's Play & Recreation Project. Stanfree Park has a lovely open aspect and long views. The new park equipment and a large sloping site provides space and equipment for children to enjoy and run around.