Book recounts park’s role in town social life since 1870s

CHILDHOOD memories of Huddersfield’s Greenhead Park are included in a new book which recounts the story of how the land was saved from housebuilding.
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Mar 2011, 08:37 BST

As the £4m park restoration project nears completion, Secured for the Town tells how the park has played a part in the town’s social life since 1870.

Written by local historian David Griffiths, the title refers to the successful campaign by Alderman Thomas Denham to prevent housebuilding on the site, commemorated in a plaque on the park’s entrance lodge.

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Denham is one of several ‘park heroes’ celebrated in the 68-page book, alongside three other leading members of Huddersfield Corporation – Edward Woodhead, Albert Woolven and Arthur Gardiner – and the park’s designer, Borough Surveyor Richard Dugdale.

Author David Griffiths, a member of the Friends of Greenhead Park group, said: “As well as explaining the history of what you can see on the ground, I’ve tried to show how the park reflects so many aspects of social history from Victorian times onwards.

“And I’ve been intrigued to discover various plans and dreams down the years for extra facilities in the park.”

The book is on sale the park cafe and local bookshops.

The restored park is due to be completed by Easter.

Related topics:Huddersfield