The History of Egerton Park
| Published: 23rd April 2008 09:12 |
The History of Egerton Park
The park's creation began in late Victorian times. The 7th Earl de la Warr wished Bexhill to become a model seaside resort and joined forces with building contractor John Webb in the 1870s to implement his vision.
The Park is one of the town's best-loved features. Originally the land was a marshy area prone to flooding but the creation of the lakes helped to drain the land and its surrounds. During the excavation of the boating lake the fossilised bone of a dinosaur and the remains of an ancient boat were discovered.
Originally, the park footprint was a low-lying marshland, lying close to the sea shore and liable to flooding. The land was drained and the park laid out by John Webb. Soon after, the terraced housing overlooking the park to the east was built. The park contained the typical features and facilities of a fashionable private garden of the time; water features, shaded areas, lawns, bandstand and tennis courts, but was available for public use.
The park came into the ownership of the Bexhill Corporation in the early 1900s. In 1903, a shelter hall was built serving as a concert hall and public toilets and later becoming the Bexhill Museum. At this time Bexhill was very popular and glamorous events such as motor races attracted crowds. The park was an integral part of the resort hosting garden parties and civil ceremonies. Shortly after, the park was extended westwards to its current boundary on Brockley Road. The Lord Mayor of London accompanied by the Sheriffs of London opened the extension on 21st July 1906. A public bowling green and an indoor bowling rink were added to the park's facilities.
The park's development continued into the Edwardian era. The area to the west of Egerton Park (The Polegrove) was developed in the 1920s. By the 1930s housing totally surrounded the north, east and south of the Park. The model boat pond, rose garden and pergola were added and the swimming pool rebuilt. After Word War II, Bexhill began to change and the town's role as a fashionable holiday destination dwindled. The park became purely an amenity for local people. The garden for the blind, thought to be the first in the country, was also created in 1951. By 1954 a large area in the western part of the park was laid out as tennis courts, with a children's playground to the east, an arrangement which still exists today. In 1960 the swimming pool was extended and a sun terrace and cafe created.
Up until the mid 20th century, the Park was one of the town's main centres for entertainment, relaxation and recreation with sporting events, theatrical and musical performances being held on a regular basis.
During the last 50 years, the park has undergone piecemeal change resulting in the gradual erosion of its original layout, primarily as a consequence of the town's economic decline since World War II and the loss of tourism on its previous scale. More emphasis was placed on sports and recreation than design and fashionable elegance. The pergola and theatre were demolished to be replaced by the Indoor Bowls Club, the swimming pool was in-filled in 1986 and the bandstand removed. The park has seen significant building works within its boundaries of late with the Family Learning Centre's construction in 2004 and the current extension of the neighbouring Museum.
Now there are many people with a love for the park and all that it stands for, who are willing to put their time and effort into not just maintaining the park, butimproving it for a sustainable future. Couple that effort with the backing of Rother District Council, and you have what is proving to be, a winning formula.
Green Day in Egerton Park is an environmentally-friendly themed day set in the park, with stalls selling products including plants and locally produced food, and giving information on issues from recycling and home energy conservation through to wildlife protection, Refreshments will be available.
It is FREE to go to.
It will run from 11 am to 3 pm on Saturday 31st May 2008.
Disabled toilet facilities will be available.
Information of the events that are planned will be posted here as and when they become known.
Should you wish to find out any specific details or information you may either email Christine Govier at cgovier@googlemail.com or email us with you queries and we shall be pleased to pass them on and find answers for you.
