A very valuable piece of property in the possession of the Normanton Urban District Council is Haw Hill Park. This lovely little park of 10 acres, with its two bowling greens, eight tennis courts, lake, bandstand, shelter and open spaces provides a place of recreation for both old and young, whilst the profuse display of flowers, shrubs and trees makes it a veritable paradise for the colouring and horticulturalist, and source of real pleasure to the lover of natural beauty.
I think it can be truly said that one half of the ten acres is under floral cultivation, and Mr. Ernest Smith, F.R.H.S., the Park Keeper who is responsible for the laying out of this part of the grounds, informs me that, for the summer display, he requires no less than 16,000 plants, besides perennials, such as herbaceous plants, rock plants, etc.
In the summer months this part of the park may well be described as a variegated picture of exquisite floral colours, set in a frame of fresh green foliage. Mr. Smith appears to be a master of his craft, as I understand he propagates all the plants he requires for his work. Round the margin of the lake are restful seats where old and young may rest beneath the shade of green trees, and the little wooded island in the centre of the water has become a sanctuary for the wild birds of this district.
During the months May to September there are band performances each Sunday evening in the park, and the first class musical selections rendered by the bands are much appreciated by the thousands of inhabitants that assemble to listen to them.
In the Park also, set amidst beautiful surroundings, stands the War Memorial, erected to the memory of the 300 men who lost their lives in the Great War. The Monument is of Cornish granite and bears suitable inscriptions. The names of the men for whom it was erected are kept on a roll of honour in the Normanton Council Chamber. The memorial is in the form of an obelisk, with sunken crosses and carved wreaths on each of the four sides which are set to the four points of the compass. The obelisk was designed by the late Alderman A. Hartley, Surveyor to the Council, and the money was raised by public subscriptions.
The memorial was unveiled in the presence of a large public assembly on the first of July 1923. It would seem that Normanton made its full share of sacrifice in the Great War, for the figures show that the number of men killed was one in fifty-two of the population of the town.
In another part of the town, in the Woodhouse Ward, the Council owns a very useful pleasure ground situated in Newland Lane.
This piece of land containing three acres, was presented to the town by the late Major Smirthwaite, on the 13th May, 1897, for a recreation ground for the children. But the Council have laid out the grounds in such a tasteful manner that it is in reality a pretty little park. It contains a bowling green and a shelter, where the adults may play the old English game of bowls, and open grassy spaces where the children of both sexes may romp and play to their hearts content.
It is pleasing to note that the flowers, shrubs and trees, with which the grounds are beautified appear to suffer no damage from the hundreds of youngsters who resort there to play their childish games, breathing the fragrant breath of the flowers and free from the dangers of the motor traffic which now infests our roads and streets. Surely these parks and recreation grounds are a valuable asset to the health and morality of the town!
The Council during the last three or four years have also acquired either by lease or purchase, recreation grounds at Normanton Common, Saint John's Terrace and Snydale. And it may not be out of place here to state that the Council from 1911 have taken on lease or otherwise acquired, over 22 acres of land to be used for allotments. These allotments are situated in various parts of the town and are richly cultivated almost exclusively by working men.
Another fine building, the latest addition to the property of the Council and one which provides healthy recreation for old and young of both sexes, is the building erected for swimming baths, which is situated in High Street. The Baths of the Normanton Urban District Council provide swimming baths for both sexes, and in addition there is a laundry, generous storage rooms, besides ample sanitary conveniences. The swimming ponds, subways, promenades and the gallery are in concrete, reinforced with B.R.C. fabric.
The large Bath Hall is 100ft. by 50ft. with pond area of 80ft. by 30ft, and the smaller bath for children is 48ft. by 30ft. with a pond area of 33ft. by 18ft. A gallery for the use of spectators, occupies three sides of the large hall and can be approached by separate staircases from the street. The water is cleansed by a filtration plant, which ensures a continuous circulation of clean water throughout the season, thus obviating a constant renewal of water as under the old system. It is now only necessary to change the water once per week.
The larger swimming bath can be converted into a hall for dancing, lectures or concerts, by the introduction of a false spring floor. The dressing boxes are collapsible, and by folding flat against the wall, add considerably to the size of the hall.
The design is open and attractive, executed in brick with stone dressings. The cost was approximately £19,500. The architect was Mr. Walter F. Copp, L.R.I.B.A., M.I. Struct.E., Normanton, and the general contractor for the work was Mr. R.L. Leake, Normanton. Towards the cost of the building the West Yorkshire Joint District Miners Welfare Fund contributed £16,800, the Normanton Council providing the remainder of the cost together with the site, and taking full responsibility for the management and upkeep of the building.
A memorial stone in the front wall of the building bears the following inscription:-
"Normanton Urban District Council. This stone was laid on the 25th April, 1925 by Hugh F.Smithson, Chairman of the West Yorkshire Joint District Welfare Fund Committee, which committee have generously contributed to the funds for the erection of this building.''
The Baths were officially opened on March 26th, 1927, by Mr. Herbert Smith, J.P., President of the Miners Federation. The architect, the builder, most of the Councillors, Mr. Fred Hall, M.P., and the leading men of the town also were present and took part in the opening ceremony. It would appear that the inhabitants of the town appreciate the amenities provided by the Baths for the latest figures which cover a period of one week and one year, ending March, 31st, 1928, show the attendance to be as follows:-
To the ordinary swimming baths, Gents 19,020, Ladies 8,582, Boys, 15,965, Girls, 5,816. Slipper baths, Gents, 2,821 Ladies, 770.
The number of attendances of scholars from the elementary schools for the same period were:-
Boys 7,281, Girls 6,061,
and the number of visitors who attended was 2,363.
The number of persons attending for all purposes, including dancing, concerts, lectures etc., for the above named period, was 69,223, and the total receipts in cash amounted to £826.11.6. Besides these places for pleasure and recreation provided by the Council, there are other places which provide ample scope for amusement and social intercourse. Besides the three picture houses, which are generally well patronized, there are eight registered clubs in the town.
These clubs are situated in all parts of the town and have at the time of writing (Aug.1928) an aggregate membership of 4,100 members.
These figures do not include the Railwayman's Club and Institute, which was built and is carried on, on somewhat different lines to the ordinary club. The Club and Institute which is registered under the Friendly Societies Act, is the sole property of the members of the Railwaymen's Normanton branches of the National Union of Railwaymen and the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. The money to purchase the site for the building was given by the members of these two branches. The building, with fittings and furniture cost £1,200, and the whole of the sum was loaned by the Railwaymen of Normanton. The building was erected chiefly as a place wherein the Railwaymen might carry on their trades union and political activities, but the public have found it a suitable building for various functions, and it is in great demand for concerts dances, lectures, public meetings, etc. It is the only registered club in the town that is not licensed for the sale of intoxicants. The building was officially opened on the 8th October, 1922, and its management is exclusively in the hands of the two trade union branches.
There is also a Golf Club at Normanton with a nine holes golf course. The Club has an enthusiastic body of members, the club house is neat and comfortable and the course is generally quiet and uncrowded.
