Sunday 30 September 2018

A History of Bentley Park and Pavilion



A Special Park


Bentley Park has always offered a little oasis of calm from the hustle and bustle of central Bentley. With it's sweeping walkways, immaculate bowling greens, peaceful lily pond and children's play areas, the park has something for everyone, whether kicking a ball on the playing field or relaxing by the bandstand, it has endured the decades and provided a place of recreation for the people of Bentley and beyond for almost a hundred years.

Here we look at the origins of the park, its attractions, events, decline and rejuvenation. Bentley Park holds special memories for anyone who has grown up in the area. So put on your Sunday best and let's take a leisurely stroll through the history of one very special park. 



Contents

  • Why A Park For Bentley?
  • Ellen Walker
  • Progress Towards A Park
  • The Park Opens
  • The Pavilion
  • Park Life
  • Entrances
  • The Lily Pond
  • The Bandstand
  • Children's Play Areas
  • Other Park Features
  • The Bentley Miner's Gala
  • Memorial Beech Tree
  • The Fall And Rise Of Bentley Park
  • Bentley Bonanza And The Grand Re-opening

Why A Park For Bentley?


Before Bentley Colliery opened in 1908 Bentley was a rural village, agriculture being the chief occupation among the residents. Once the pit opened however, it attracted men from far afield to come to work, and they brought their families with them.

Suddenly this once rural backwater became an industrial township. Amenities such as housing, shops, schools and churches were created for the rapidly expanding population. Unlike their agricultural forerunners, who worked from sun up to sun down almost every day of the year, the colliers and their families had leisure time. 

Sports and leisure facilities were created in Bentley, such as a cinema, social clubs, football and cricket clubs. Bentley Miner's Welfare Fund was set up to raise money for the miner's social well-being, recreation and living conditions. Money was raised via a levy and later a percentage of coal royalties. 

Coliseum cinema on Bentley High Street

The idea of a recreation park for Bentley first came in  July 1911. A letter written on behalf of a Mrs Ellen Walker, formerly of Conisbrough, was sent to F Kirby, the Chairman of the Bentley Urban District Council. The letter stated that she wished to present about twenty acres of land to the council for a park and recreation ground. The land, sited on Common Lane was close to the old part of Bentley. The council voted unanimously to accept the offer.



Sheffield Daily Telegraph 1 July 1911

Transcription of the above article
'Mr F. Kirby, the Chairman of the Bentley Urban District Council, yesterday received a letter from Messrs, Alderson, Son and Dust, of Sheffield stating that Mrs. Ellen Walker, formerly of Conisborough, desired to present about 20 acres of land to the Council as a park and recreation ground. 
In their letter the firm state that Mrs. Walker has leased one bed of coal underlying the land, but, subject to that lease, she is disposed to give to the district of Bentley the two fields in question, as a park and playing ground without cost to the Council, she herself paying for the deed of gift which would be prepared by the firm on her behalf. Mrs Walker does not wish to place any restrictions upon the land "other than that intoxicating liquors shall not be sold thereon, and that the fields shall be a park and playing field belonging to the Council of Bentley for all time." The land is situated in Common Lane, near the centre of the old part of Bentley, and will make an excellent recreation ground. 
The offer of Mrs. Walker was placed before the Council last night, a special meeting having been called for the purpose, and it was unanimously decided to accept the offer, with cordial thanks.
Bentley was recently created an urban district and has greatly developed since the new colliery was opened.'



This article begs two questions - who was Ellen Walker and why did her park not materialize? 

Ascertaining who Ellen Walker was proved quite easy, but what happened to the plan for this park is less clear.


Ellen Walker

Ellen Walker (nee Anderson), who was originally from York didn't marry until she was aged 48. That was the year 1901 and she married a man named Godfrey Walker in Kensington, London. Godfrey was from Conisbrough, a former farmer and owner of the tannery, he became a J.P. 

The Walkers lived at the Priory in Conisbrough, but it was at their other residence in Devon that Godfrey died in 1908, the couple had been married less than eight years. 

Widowed Ellen inherited a sizeable fortune and after moving with her mother to Scarborough, she bequeathed the Priory to Sheffield General Infirmary for use as a convalescent home, The Godfrey Walker Convalescent Home.

The Godfrey Walker Convalescent Home


In 1911 Ellen Walker gave land in Conisbrough for the provision of a park. The land donated was worth £540 and she gave a further £150 for iron railings, pathways and seats. Named Coronation Park it was named to commemorate the coronation of King George V, and was opened on the 22nd of June 1911.



Coronation Park, Conisbrough. From Conisbrough and Denaby Main Heritage Group.

Just about the same time as the park opened in Conisbrough, Bentley Urban District Council received the letter detailed above setting out Ellen Walker's desire to donate land in Bentley for a park. Despite it having been accepted by the Council this is the first and last reference to this donation to be found. Common Lane in Bentley is reached via Finkle Street, so this land cannot be the same as that used off Cooke Street. Maybe there was a problem with the lease that prevented the donation of land? The news article (above) does stress that it was 'subject to that lease'.

To complete Ellen's story, she remarried in 1919, this time to Thomas Colpitts Granger of London. He was a widower and County Court Judge. He was knighted in 1921 making Ellen 'Lady Granger'. They lived at Lower Belgrave Street in London.

Thomas died in 1927 leaving Ellen a widow after only a short marriage once again. It is unclear what happened to her next, it is probable that she died in 1931 in Chippenham, Wiltshire although the records are not clear.

Sir Thomas Granger
  


Progress Towards A Park


It would be another four years before the subject of a park for Bentley was raised again. 

In 1915 a new 'Public Pleasure Ground' was proposed to meet the needs of the growing Bentley population. The Public Health Act of 1875 allowed local authorities to purchase or lease land in order to provide public walks or pleasure grounds, the said land to be planted and maintained by the authority.

At the request of the trustees, Lady Cooke of the Wheatley Estate submitted deeds to the Bentley-with-Arksey Urban District Council to allow a pleasure ground to be created. The land proposed to be used was off Cooke Street and Askern Road. It had previously been open fields and was bordered by farm buildings on Cooke Street. This map (below) from 1892 shows the approximate boundary of the new park and the land it would occupy, from an entrance next to the Wesleyan Chapel on Cooke Street and stretching almost as far north as the hamlet of Rostall (now the Rostholme area of Bentley).



1892 map of the approximate layout of the forthcoming new park


The Park Opens

With money from The Miners' Welfare Fund used to develop the land, the new 'Welfare Park' was laid out. The work took place during the spring and summer of 1923 and it opened that same year. 

The first park superintendent was a Mr Harry French. The map (below) shows the park a few years after opening in 1930. Much of the original layout survives to this day and features such as the bandstand, bowling green and pond are as familiar now as they were then.



Bentley Welfare Park in 1930


Stone sundial with inscription




The inscription


A stone sundial positioned near the centre of the park had the following inscription:


'The Bentley Miners' Welfare Committee purchased and laid out this park with monies contributed from the Miner's Welfare Fund, and presented the same to the Bentley-with-Arksey Urban District Council on September 15th 1923.
Committee
D. MacGregor, Chairman; G. A. Ringrose; P. N. Brundell; S. Roberts J.P; A Longdon; Rev. A Rhys James; W. Paling M.P; D. Straw; J. Flemming (Hon Secretary); P. C. Woodhall M.I.M & C.E (Architect and Surveyor).'

The Sundial was removed in 1988 when it fell into disrepair.

  

The Pavilion


Bentley Pavilion

One noticeably absent feature of the park in its early years is the pavilion, which didn't open until the end of 1931. 

Funds to build the pavilion was raised through The Miners' Welfare Committee deducting one penny from the wages of every miner. The pavilion cost £10,000 to build and work began in September 1930. 



Original drawings of the proposed pavilion. Courtesy of Michelle Smith 


The pavilion was constructed from ferro-concrete in a technique developed by French engineer Francois Hennebique. It was built by the Yorkshire Hennebique Contracting Co. Ltd of Leeds. The building project was managed by local man and Bentley Colliery Site Engineer Percy C. Woodhall. The design was a mixture of styles which contained classical columns, arches and vaulted ceilings inside.

The pavilion was due to be opened on the 28th of November 1931 but this was delayed as eight days earlier, on the 20th of November Bentley Colliery lost forty five miners in a terrible underground explosion.

The pavilion was opened later by Mr D. MacGregor, Chairman of the Welfare Committee, and was handed over to Mr Lewis Massarella JP, of the Bentley-with-Arksey Urban District Council. A plaque in the foyer of the pavilion still bears the planned opening date of the 28th of November 1931.


Park Life


Early photo of the park and bandstand


When the park was first laid out it provided areas for entertainment, play and sports but it also became known for its floral displays. By 1930 there was a bowling green, sand pits, a lily pond, a bandstand, tennis courts, a fountain and a shelter. There were also footpaths, trees and a large recreation area. A year later the park gained the magnificent pavilion.

Let's look at the park features in more detail.


Entrances

The park has always had three entrances, one on Askern Road, one on Park Road, and the main entrance on Cooke Street. 

The Cooke Street entrance in 1923

The main entrance featured curved railings, a turning circle with central planting bed and two public lavatories, seen here as brick buildings to each side of the main walkway. The railings and planting area were later removed and replaced by a car park. The lavatories were eventually demolished too. 


Cooke Street entrance from 1930 map


The Askern Road entrance in 1931

The Askern Road entrance lies approximately opposite the Baptist Church and was a very pretty entrance in the early days. With an attractive wooden bridge crossing the mill stream, floral arches and planting beds. Just inside this entrance was Park Lodge where the Park Superintendent lived.


Park Lodge. Photo courtesy of Colin Hardisty

Glasshouses to the side of the lodge were built in 1932. The lodge and glasshouses have since been demolished and have been replaced by the Myplace project building.

The bridge over the mill stream was later replaced by stone entrance piers and iron gates.



Askern Road entrance from 1930 map


The Park Road entrance didn't receive the same level of attractive features as the other two. Consisting of railings, gates and a pathway through a small wooded area, it provided a rather functional entrance in the west side of the park.



Park Road entrance from 1930 map


The Lily Pond

The lily pond between 1925 and 1930. Photo courtesy of Colin Hardisty

An original feature of the park, the lily pond was built for the opening in 1923.The photo above shows how this ornamental pond once looked with its crazy paving, stone edging, lawns, flowers and shrubs. The pond also featured a fountain in the centre. Note the absence of the pavilion which was still to be built, the park lodge is visible however on the right. To the left were the tennis courts and the building in the centre is thought to be a tennis hut.



The Lily Pond from 1930 map.


The lily pond in 1970

This later photo shows the fountain working and how the crazy paving was replaced by concrete paths. The pond area was connected to the pavilion, now visible in the background, by a path around the bowling green.

The pond eventually fell into disrepair and was filled in with stones and soil to form a rockery. The trees became overgrown and the area lacked ornamental planting. Railings placed around the bowling green cut off the connection to the pavilion too.


The lily pond that became a rockery, pictured in 2013. Photo from Southerngreen Chartered Landscape Architects

The Bandstand

Approached by a wide, sweeping path, the bandstand was another original feature of the park. Built in 1923, the bandstand was the focus for events and activities right at the heart of the park. 


The Bandstand from 1930 map 


The Bandstand c.1925 - 30

In 1925 an outdoor dance floor was constructed next to the bandstand, and that same year when the park had illuminations, strings of fairy lights festooned the bandstand.

By the mid 1930's the bandstand became covered with climbing plants, giving it an altogether different appearance.


c.1935 - 1939

By 1988 the bandstand had fallen into disrepair and was removed. Up until the renovations in 2014 the site was marked by an empty space with a single tree in the centre.


Site of the original Bandstand in 2013. Photo from Southerngreen Chartered Landscape Architects


Children's Play Areas

The Sand Pits

The play areas were an important part of the park and consisted of sand pits, paddling pool and 'Children's Corner', complete with slides and swings.


Sand pits from 1930 map

Two octagonal sand pits were constructed next to each other, just south of the bandstand in 1923. In later years a paddling pool was added to the side of them and both proved extremely popular with the local and visiting children. It must have been like having a mini beach holiday without the need to travel very far.


The paddling pool, very popular on a hot day.

Children's Corner was situated on the Askern Road side of the park, just before the lily pond. Another original feature of the park, this is where the swings, slides and roundabouts were located. Photographs from the 1940's show there was additional play apparatus near to Yew Tree Farm, which is the building seen in the photo above.

Children's Corner c.1930


The second play area near Yew Tree Farm.
Photo courtesy of Lynda Pell

Other Park Features

Sporting pastimes were also catered for at the park, with grass and hard tennis courts, a bowling green and a large, open grassed area for football and other games.


The bowling green

Floral displays formed a large part of the park's attraction, with ornamental beds lining most of the paths and used to separate areas from one another.


Ornamental borders near the Cooke Street entrance

One feature which lots of park goers seem to remember is the drinking water fountain. Situated outside the entrance to the pavilion, this was an ever popular park amenity and was much missed when it was removed and altered to a sundial in 1988. It was completely removed at a later date.


The drinking water fountain near the pavilion c.1935





The Bentley Miner's Gala


Every summer a parade and gala would be held in Bentley. Essentially a trade union gathering; the original site of the Bentley Gala was the cricket and football pitches on the Avenue, however by the mid 1970's the gala was moved to the more central Bentley Park. 

With events, stalls, entertainment and fairground, the gala was an unmissable event every summer which always ended in a traditional firework display.

The galas remained popular into the early 1980's, but the miner's strike and subsequent break up of the coal industry saw an end to these annual gatherings.

Unfortunately I have not been able to track down any photos of Bentley Gala, but will be pleased to add any that come to light*.



Memorial Beech Tree


In 1997 a Memorial Beech Tree was planted in Bentley Park to honour the Todd family. Boxer Roland Todd of Bentley famously became middle weight champion of Great Britain, Europe and the British Empire in the 1920's. The tree and plaque can still be found in the park today.

The Copper Beech tree

The inscribed plaques to the Todd family


The Fall And Rise Of Bentley Park


The Coal Industry Social Welfare Organization (CISWO), which had formed out of the Miner's Welfare Act in 1952, oversaw the funding and upkeep of the park. The CISWO became a national charity in 1995, separating it from the coal industry and being governed by trustees. However, a decline in investment led to a lack of maintenance in the park, features being removed, vandalism and anti-social behaviour. The park was run down and underused.


The pavilion before renovations
  
In 2011 a grant of £2.5million from the Heritage Lottery Fund was approved, a sum that was matched by Doncaster Council in order to renovate the park and pavilion and bring them back to their former glory.


Doncaster Free Press April 2013

Plans for the new look park were drawn up in 2013 by Holland Brown Architects, during which Bentley residents were given the opportunity to have their say on the design.



Proposed new look for the pavilion


The pavilion during renovations in 2014. 
Photo courtesy of Keith Wilburn

Work got underway in 2014 and saw the complete renovation of the pavilion. Lost features such as the bandstand and lily pond were reinstated. New play areas were introduced, the park entrances were refurbished, wildflower and herbaceous planting areas were brought back and new railings and paths were installed.

To reflect current trends, a wildlife area was constructed and for sports, a football pitch, skateboarding/BMX facilities and a multi use games area were introduced. The bowling green was preserved but facilities for playing tennis were not reinstated.

The play areas now include toddler and junior adventure play areas as well as a water play area complete with an Archimedes Screw. The toddler and water play areas are situated on the sites of the old sand pits, and octagonal paving serves as a reminder of their previous incarnations.


Renovated pavilion and new play area on the site of one of the old sand pits. 
Photo courtesy of Keith Wilburn. 

New information boards were created to be placed around the park, showing the new amenities as well as old photos and history of the various features. I was proud to provide information and photos for these boards, and received a special mention on each one.



A sample of the new information boards around the park. 
Courtesy of Southerngreen Chartered Landscape Architects


Dan Jones, stone carver, created a series of carved stones depicting a timeline of Bentley's past.


Extracts from the Domesday Book of 1086


A carved miner's lamp depicting Bentley Colliery


The floods of 2007 carved in stone


Bentley Bonanza And The Grand Re-opening


With the demise of the annual Miner's Gala, a new community event was created, Bentley Bonanza. Held every June, it features entertainment, stalls, and fairground rides. The plan was to launch the new, refurbished park at the Bonanza in June 2014, however, work was delayed so the event was moved to September 21st instead. 

The park was officially opened by Doncaster Civic Mayor, Pat Haith. Tony Sockett, Bentley Area Community Partnership secretary was really pleased with the reception the new-look park received, saying:
"It's been a really good day. It's been better than I expected. To see children and families really enjoying themselves has been very rewarding."

Source: Doncaster Free Press, 21st September 2014. 



Mayor Pat Haith officially opening the refurbished Bentley Park. 
Photo courtesy of Patricia Glover




Bentley Bonanza. 
Photo Courtesy of Chelle Tovell

Today Bentley Park offers the same haven of peace and recreation it set out to provide when it first opened in 1923. We all have great memories of time spent in the park, and as it approaches its centenary, the new lease of life it has been given will ensure that many more happy memories are created there.


__________


For a follow-up article containing personal memories and photos of Bentley Park go to Let's Go To The Park.


* Please contact me via the contact box if you have any photos of the Bentley Miner's Galas.

Thanks to Symeon Mark Waller for providing research material and to those who have submitted photos for this article. Photos taken from other websites have been mentioned and a link provided.


Alison Vainlo 

First written 2018, updated 2020

Let's Go To The Park


Relaxing by the Lily Pond.
Photo courtesy of Den Lowe


Memories Of Bentley Park


In the companion article to this one A History of Bentley Park and Pavilion, we looked at the history of the park, its origins, features, decline and re-birth. In this follow-up article we hear first hand accounts of the memories made at Bentley Park. 

Following an appeal on my Facebook group Arksey & Bentley Bygone Years, members kindly posted or sent me their photos and memories of the park. I have collated all the comments and photos and present them here for you now. Also included are some photos of the park that didn't make the first article. Maybe these memories and photos will conjure up a few memories of your own?


For the companion article to this one go to A History of Bentley Park and Pavilion.

For the Facebook group go to Arksey & Bentley Bygone Years.



Contents

  • Words And Pictures
  • Happy Days In The Park
  • Mischief In The Park
  • The Pavilion And Baby Clinic
  • Events And Bentley Gala
  • More Photos
  • Photos From Julie Rogers
  • Photos From Lynda Pell



Words And Pictures


Original posts have been edited for errors and in some cases, split to fit the headings. Photos have been edited where required to show them at their very best.


Two Bentley Park postcards. 
Photo courtesy of Pat Cuckson


Happy Days In The Park 

'We spent hours there as kids. Walked from Arksey, paddled in the dyke, catching those tiny fish. Hours in the sand pits. Loved the tennis courts, oh and the fair. Very happy memories. Also had our wedding reception at the pavilion.'
Tina Southwell


In front of the paddling pool. 
Photo courtesy of David Buckley


'Our Nanna and Grandad lived in the OAP bungalows opposite the park. We, my brother and four cousins spent many happy hours in the park. We went alone, the older ones looking after the little ones. We played in some kind of brick shelter, it was a hospital, mission base, house... there was a road marked out, we played race cars and emergency services on it. We played in the sand pits... girls in one, boys in the other. We paddled in the pool, if we didn't have swim stuff we stripped to vest and pants! We 'talked' to the 'poor boy' who drowned in it and now lived under it, through the drain grate. We drank water from the big stone fountain, the boys got water for us little ones in their hands. We caught sticklebacks in the stream. OMG I could go on, and on, and on! Sweetest memories of carefree days. Thank you for making me remember.'
Christina Barber-Callender



The brick shelter c.1969.
Photo courtesy of David Buckley

'I lived on Trueman Street as a kid, so all my childhood was spent in the park. We were always the first to go in the clean paddling pool. We managed to be there in the morning when the park keeper was filling it up. I also remember playing 'Putting', it was 20p a go I think. I also remember the tap which you could drink from outside the old pavilion and toilets.'
Joanne Nicholson


The paddling pool. 
Photo courtesy of Brian Holling


'Virtually played in the park every day during the 60's and have lots of memories of it, but unfortunately no pictures. I remember Mr Jackson the park keeper who taught me how to play bowls when I was about 12 years old. Wish I had kept playing as I really enjoyed it. Also remember a small aeroplane/glider making an emergency landing on the big field where the paddling pool was situated. Think it was there for a couple of days before it somehow left.'
Graham Westerman



The sand pit early 1940's.
Photo courtesy of Marilyn McElroy


'I used to regularly play tennis on the grass courts.'
Dean Learoyd


The swings
Photo courtesy of Julie Rogers


'Remember the big roundabout called the 'Bobbies Helmet'. We could really get that going fast, and on some days used to bump it off. This was a regular occurrence done by most groups of lads hanging around the park in the 60's.'
Graham Westerman


The 'Bobbies Helmet' ride



'I remember going there to do my bike safety course, learning hand signals and the lot! I remember playing there, walking through it and smelling the lovely flower gardens... and being a bridesmaid for my Aunty and having the reception there.'

Edwina Brodziak 



Floral displays near the Askern Road entrance in the 1970's.
Photo courtesy of Graham Westerman


'I remember when the band used to play in the bandstand on Sundays. Also the summer shows they put on in the tennis court. When we could play in the swimming (paddling) pool [and] also watch the men playing bowls.'

Maureen Smith



The Bandstand in the early 1950's.
Photo courtesy of Joanne Smart


'The park has been of immense benefit to Bentley. Near the Askern Road gate was the park keeper's house, and behind it were greenhouses where he nurtured the plants for the lovely flowerbeds. Every night at dusk he used to lock all three entrances, and open them again at daylight. He cared for a wide domain; there were swings and seesaws at the Cooke Street end, a goldfish pond, sand pits, bowling greens, and grass and hard tennis courts. On summer evenings, the hard courts were lit by fairy lights and used for ballroom dancing. Most Sunday evenings I was taken by my Mum and Dad to the bandstand to listen to various visiting colliery bands. Eventually the pavilion was added. The Mill Dyke flows by the pavilion; it has a big fat partly submerged pipe that countless children have walked across and fallen in! When I fell in, I was wearing my best white Sunday shoes.'


Swings 1951.
Photo courtesy of Graham Westerman

'There was an ornate lily pond, complete with a rocky fountain at its centre, you could see goldfish and all sorts of critters when you laid on your tummy and peered over the edge. It was situated at the edge of the tarmac play area. On hot days kids would splash around in it until the parkie came and 'suggested' it was not allowed. The shrubs around the pond then provided cover for cowboy, war or jungle games. 
There were sand pits and tennis courts, bowling greens and a paddling pool, bandstand and more tennis courts, trees to climb, soft tarmac and grass to run across; and the magnificent pavilion.'
Continues below



Seats by the bowling greens, June 1962.
Photo courtesy of Richard Bell

'Beyond there was a shelter overlooking the football pitch. The shelter was used by the football teams as a changing room and a meeting area for teenagers. Enough said. 
In the 60's, near the Park Road end, there was a superb little road system set up for children to learn cycling proficiency. Complete with cross-roads, white lines and the lot.'
Continues below



Playing near the bowling green.
Photo courtesy of Barbara Dickinson

'The park was not just a play area for children; it was a social, meeting, gathering, courting and well-being area for all generations. Born out of the Victorian imagination it was the place to go for many. Teenagers loved it. It was like a magnet on a warm day. Parents loved it. If the swings got boring, there was always the prospect of an ice-cream from the ice-cream van or Shipstones on the corner of Cooke Street and Askern Road.'
Mike Hoyland 

For more go to Bentley and Arksey as an Outsider - Part 5, Cornerstones





A rather frozen lily pond in February 1963.
Photo courtesy of Richard Bell


The Park keeper's lodge and magnificent floral displays.
Photo courtesy of Maureen Smart.

Children's Corner roundabout.
Photo courtesy of Lynne Machray

John Webster 1960
Photo courtesy of Graham Westerman


Marjorie Webster 1960
Photo courtesy of Graham Westerman





Mischief In The Park

'Playing bowls [and] tennis. Getting caught scrumping in the orchard behind the tennis courts. The sand pits and paddling pool, and of course the football pitches.'
Ian Dales



The paddling pool. 
Photo courtesy of Donna Marie Jowett

'There are stories I was banned from the sand pit as a one year old for hitting another toddler, but we'll gloss over that!'
Gill O'Grady



Sand pits


'We knew the loose boards on the bandstand and hid inside it to scare people away!'
Christina Barber-Callender



The Bandstand.
Photo courtesy of Den Lowe


'The rocking horse that the boys made go so fast we fell off, onto concrete! The brilliant game of taking our shoes off and putting them at arms length round the roundabout, laying on our bellies and then being spun so fast we went dizzy and had to reach out and catch our shoes! Skinned arms and noses, all part of the fun!'
Christina Barber-Callender


The rocking horse ride 1953.
Photo courtesy of Graham Westerman


'We were always in Bentley Park when we went to visit my Great Aunt Rose on Swan Street. I remember them as long, happy, sunny days. We used to be warned by Mum about being careful on the rides and my big sister Pat was usually with us to see that we behaved. Behaving was usually something my brother Paul found hard. Even though he was told to keep away from the big 'plank ride', as soon as my sister came to push me on the swing, he was on there. He fell off the 'plank ride' and split his head open, but luckily there was a doctor at the pavilion for the baby clinic. His head was bound up with bandages and he had to lie down as he could hardly lift his head. My brother fully recovered after the hospital visits, but any trouble he got into after that we always blamed on that knock on the head...!'
Nora Platt 


Children's Corner
Photo courtesy of Julie Rogers


'We were wagging DVHS (Don Valley High School) sports day so went to Bentley Park. While pushing my mates very hard on the rocking horse, [I] somehow managed to get head butted by the cast iron horse's head. Cut to my eye and forehead. This was followed by some heavy bruising and a bit of fabrication of the day's events to my mother, think I [said I] slipped getting off the school bus!'

Graham Force



The Rocking Horse ride 1952.
Photo courtesy of Graham Westerman



'One of my uncles, Mo Griffin, took me to Bentley Park one day where he met up with a whole bunch of his friends. They were in their early teens, strong and boisterous and were playing on this swing which has long been forbidden. It had a horse's head and a series of seats behind it in a long line. It hung from a frame by four corner poles and could be swung back and forth gaining quite a height and quite some momentum. I was meant to stand still while they swung, played and had a good time; however I walked in front of this beast and remember waking up in Mo's arms as he was passing me to my parents back at home. A trip to the doctors, aspirin, bed and in the dog-house again. I carried a cracking black eye for weeks after. On reflection methinks I should have died back then. I was lucky not to.'

Mike Hoyland. Edited. 

For more go to Bentley and Arksey as an Outsider - Part 1




The Rocking Horse ride 1972. 
Photo courtesy of Den Lowe


Photo courtesy of Lynn Machray



The Pavilion And Baby Clinic

'I did go to the pavilion clinic as a baby. Funnily enough I don't remember much about it! No photographs or anything.'
Clive Beresford


The Pavilion


'I remember the posh floor had cloth put down on it on clinic days, made it lethal, really easy to slip on. My Mum bought orange juice at the clinic I remember. When I was older I went to a dinner/dance there with Mum and Dad, I'm thinking probably Bentley Tradesmens annual affair. Had to wear a cocktail dress, felt very grown up. Was a bridesmaid at my Aunt's wedding, the reception was at the pavilion.' 
Gill O'Grady


Doncaster Press Ball 1935



'I still lived in Bentley when I had my first son. I took him to the clinic in the pavilion every week. I think it was on a Wednesday, but not certain. We had to sit around the sides of the dance hall and undress the babies down to their nappies. Then we went through to the smaller room at the back, one at a time, for the baby to be weighed. I seem to remember that there was usually a doctor there who would be consulted if there were any concerns with the babies. It was a chance to have a chat with friends who we only saw one day a week.'

Brenda Bennett


Bentley pavilion, unknown performance



'I went to the clinic as a baby and my youngest son went there also.'
Helen Bulgin



Pavilion soup kitchen during the miner's strike 1984


'The clinic was a great place to meet other young mothers, firstly to get babies weighed and talk [over] any worries you had with the nurses, then to relax and chat to other Mums over a cup of tea and a biscuit. You often got good advice from the more experienced Mums.'
Brenda Wayman



Unknown event inside the pavilion, pre-1950. 
Photo courtesy of Alan Walker


'The pavilion wasn't only used for the baby clinic, that's where the kids had to go for their vaccinations and sugar lumps. I remember our parents getting postcards in the post and we instantly knew we had to go for some vaccination or other. Sugar lump for polio and needle for diphtheria. Usually met friends from school as it was usually done en-mass.'
Lynda Pell



'In the 70's I used to love to push my babies in their prams from Arksey to the clinic in the pavilion, whatever the weather. It was the only place I went for some adult conversation whilst my husband worked shifts and I found myself on my own a lot.'

Olwen Johnson


Bentley Football League event 17th January 1958, Bill and Phyllis Singer, seated, middle.
Photo courtesy of Karen Smith 



'I can remember going dancing at [the] pavilion with my Mam, but only when my Dad had gone to work in [the] canteen at [the] pit and when I was supposed to be in bed. It was waltzes and ballroom dances. Later dances to Alex Winston's, good music to jive to.'
Kay Kitchin


Crowning of Road Safety Queen, Pavilion 1954.
Photo courtesy of Lynn Heath

Crowning of Road Safety Queen, Pavilion 1954.
Photo courtesy of Lynn Heath


'I remember visiting the clinic in the pavilion as a young child, my mother came away with a tub of some sort of malt which most children disliked, but I loved it.'
Ian Jackson


'I do remember going there with my Mum when my brother was little to have his jabs.'
Edwina Brodziak


'I had terrible bow legs, and although a quick look at my mother would have shown that this was an inherited condition, the new NHS was determined to treat it. I needed to have my bones strengthened or the bowing would worsen. Ultra-violet light would encourage me to produce more vitamin D, and that would strengthen my bones. Despite the fact that UV light is available at no cost whatsoever by simply going out on a sunny day, a course of artificial UV treatment was prescribed. Me and several other weak-boned infants had to go to the clinic once a week. My other memories of the clinic were that it was held in the pavilion in Bentley Park, but for some reason these UV sessions were held in a hut just inside the park, near Trueman Street. We bone defectives would be stripped except for our nappies, and both infants and mums would don dark glasses. In the niddle of the room was a thing like a short lamp post. When we were ready it would be switched on and we kids would play on the floor in front of it, lit only by its weird and intense violet light. It did no good of course, and to this day I can't stop a pig in an alley!'
Bill Wright


Is that the Park Keeper on patrol I wonder? Sand pits and Bandstand.




Events And Bentley Gala

'We have cine camera footage of a hot air balloon gala, watching them being inflated and setting off. No health and safety to stop us wandering about!'
Christina Barber-Callender



Enjoying the park, 1981.
Photo courtesy of Michelle O'Connor Long


'I can't forget my Grandad showing flowers in the pavilion and us getting excited when he won!' 

Christina Barber-Callender



Park bench near the pavilion. 
Photo courtesy of Ian Jackson


'I remember going to watch steam rollers race, I'm sure this was at Bentley Park?'
Julie Grace

On the Rocking Horse ride, 1972.
Photo courtesy of Kay Wright.

'We used to go to the galas and put our flower arrangements and crafts that we had done into the competitions. They were judged in their categories and then we would go back later on to see if we had won. I think there was a 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, and if I remember rightly we won money. There were also prizes for the best onions, carrots, flowers and many more things. Brian Birks, my next-door neighbour when I was a child, used to win many a prize with his produce from his allotment.'
Stephanie Mousdell


The Paddling pool c 1957.
Photo courtesy of Marilyn McElroy


'My Grandad used to to have prize winning flowers, he used to put bags over the blooms to keep them nice until show time! I have some of his medals somewhere.'
Christina Barber-Callender



Enjoying a ride, 1981.
Photo courtesy of Michelle O'Connor Long


'I got third prize in the flower arranging, probably around 1974-ish. Think I got a certificate for it. I remember my sister Diane getting a trophy for something at the gala and it was bigger than you would get if you won the FA Cup. Think it was from Bob Nellis trophy shop in the High Street. I never took the flower arranging any further, who knows where it may have led to.'
Graham Force


1970's in the park. 
Photo courtesy of Andrew Grierson

'As well as flowers, Herbert used to show veg and God help you if you picked a straight runner bean or carrot or parsnip in the showing season, you ran for cover.'
Kay Kitchin



The sand pits




More Photos


A selection of photos kindly submitted by readers.

Photos From Julie Rogers

Paddling pool


Paddling pool
Flower beds near the main park gates


A floral display

Photos From Lynda Pell

The following twelve photos were submitted by Lynda Pell. A couple of these photos feature children's rides situated near to Yew Tree Farm, which is a separate area to the more well known 'Children's Corner'.


An early version of the Rocking Horse ride. Yew Tree Farm in the background. 1949.


1949


1949. With the pavilion in the background


1949


By the Bandstand in 1949


With Yew Tree Farm and a climbing frame in the background. 1949


1949


1949


The Bobbies Hat ride


Climbing Frame


The Roundabout

The Sandpit


__________


I think you'll agree that all these memories are testament to the success of Bentley Park. Little did the council know when they approved the building of a 'Public Pleasure Ground' in Bentley, back in 1915, that they would create something that would live in all of us for so many decades. And now the park has been given a new lease of life, may it live long in the memories of our children and children's children. 

I will leave you with this one last memory from Heather Widdowson, who sums up the park beautifully:


'Sun hut and park keepers, Wyatt Earp and his posse of deputies, 'out you lot it's nine o'clock'. Watching Saturday pavilion dances through one of the side windows. Budding tennis stars on the grass/hard courts. Elderly gents playing bowls in the sunshine. Smell of fish 'n' chips cooking at Clarke's chippy on Askern Road. Frank Lawrence behind the counter in Shipstones. Everywhere clean and tidy. We didn't have much, but we had everything, we had the park!'

Children sat on the roundabout at Bentley Park c.1954. 
Photo courtesy of Den Lowe

Many thanks to all who contributed to this article and to Symeon Waller for getting me started on this.


If you have any old photos or fond memories of Bentley Park, you can submit them through my Facebook group or by email at: 

arkvillhistory@yahoo.co.uk

Alison Vainlo 

First written 2018, updated 2020