The History of Silsden Park
by Cathy Liddle
Until the arrival of the motor car, Silsden’s children enjoyed total freedom of the streets and the fields.
Then in 1914, following a death on the road, a small playground, with two swings and a goalpost, was opened in Sykes Lane.
But as traffic continued to build, local newspapers described Silsden as “sadly behind many much smaller and less wealthy places in the matter of public recreational facilities.”
Turned down for funding by national government and by the local council, the push for a park was organised entirely by volunteers. Within five years of its launch, the Playing Fields Association had raised enough money to buy over eight acres of agricultural land.
In February 1934, mill owner Richard Fletcher, the PFA chairman, and three year old Vera Cockshott, the town’s youngest school pupil, cut the first sod. In April the first stone was laid for a pavilion. And by September the Playing Field – with play equipment, a bowling green and tennis courts – was said to be in pristine condition for the official opening by the Princess Royal.
It rained throughout this special day but crowds turned up to hail this remarkable community effort and profess themselves well content with the town’s newest facility.
A bandstand, dedicated to the famous Silsden composer and bandsman Edward Newton, was added the following year.
These are part of the decorations for Silsden’s Grand deParty celebrations, a month of events which will be taking place throughout July.
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