Somewhere we can be proud of...

CELEBRATION . . . events get under way

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

HUNDREDS basked in the regeneration of an historic park which saw the glory days return on its centenary.

Cheeky gorillas, scarecrows and a one-man band were just a few of the quirky attractions which raised smiles on a successful family day to showcase how almost £1.4million has been spent to renovate Dunwood Park.

Simon Crompton Lees-Milne, a descendant of Captain Abram Crompton, who donated the land to the people of Shaw in 1912, cut the ribbon to officially mark the grand occasion.

Families sampled the three new Lawn Tennis Association-standard courts, bowling pavilion with a community hall, new flower beds, a grass stage area and a duck-feeding platform.

Committee members from the Friends of Dunwood Park group, who hosted the day, wore Edwardian dress as the public roamed round the grounds.

An emotional committee member Phelyp Bennett said: “I am Crompton-born and I would come down the park and enjoy the park as a child.

“It was a grand facility, but in recent years it became a bit down-trodden and was in need of repair.

“Now to see it like this after a lot of work by many people is wonderful. It’s also excellent to have a descendant of Captain Crompton to celebrate this occasion with us.”

Mayor of Oldham, Councillor Olwen Chadderton, was also a VIP guest at the sun-soaked Beal Valley park.

The day saw music, comedy and street theatre from several acts and visitors witnessed the unveiling of a sculpture by Mossley artist Mike Green in the woodland area of the park.

A plaque was also unveiled in honour of the late Michael McGrother, who was chairman of the Friends committee and launched the campaign for the park’s rejuvenation.

Just over £1million was granted to the committee by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund, as well as £250,000 from Oldham Council.


Only a small number of our daily stories appear, heavily edited, on this site. For the full story read our print or eChron editions.
Follow us on Twitter - @OldhamChronicle