PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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It was in about 1884 that report was prepared that suggested filling in the upper part of Stonehouse Creek known as the Deadlake. It had formed the mill pool for Stonehouse Mills. But it was not until the really hot summer of 1887 that any action was taken. By then the Deadlake had become a serious health hazard to the local residents. A petition was organised and presented to the three local authorities (Plymouth, Stonehouse and Devonport) by a local chemist, Mr James Netting, who lived at 159 North Road. This sparked the authorities into action and they agreed to jointly purchase the Deadlake and fill it in. It was purchased from the Earl of Mount Edgcumbe in 1890 and apparently opened as a park in 1891. In 1895 some 300 to 400 tons of rubble from the old tram depot at Compton was poured into the Deadlake. Tipping continued until 1906. The ground was renamed Victoria Park in September 1898 and almost immediately there were complaints about children playing football and pitch-and-toss on Sundays. Victoria Park was officially opened by the Mayor of Plymouth, Mr J A Bellamy, on Wednesday October 8th 1902 in front of a crowd estimated at between 5 and 6,000 people. The Mayor of Devonport, Mr E M Leest, was also present along with 36 representatives from Plymouth Town Council, 27 from Devonport and 17 from Stonehouse Urban District Council. The Western Daily Mercury reported that: 'At three o'clock the policemen at the lodge, some thirty in number, drawn from the forces of the Three Towns, formed up four deep, and the mace-bearers of Plymouth, Devonport and Stonehouse took up position behind them. Following the tokens of their office came the two Mayors, Mr Bellamy in the centre, and Mr Leest and Doctor Corbett (chairman of the Stonehouse District Council) upon either hand. The councillors and other guests, in long line, closed the procession, all taking part in it save those who had donned flannels for the cricket match with which the ceremony was to conclude.' 'The procession wound along the path parallel to Hotham-place, and reached the Stonehouse gate, where a dense throng of people filled the approach and extended some little distance along Millbridge and Stoke Hill. Wednesday, of course, is early closing day, and this probably enabled more "grownups" to be present than would otherwise have been the case. On the other side of the gate Councillors and policemen had formed a ring around the Mayors, and Mr W Hornbrook advancing invited Mr Bellamy to open the gate.' After a short speech, 'The gate was then thrown open by the Mayor of Plymouth, and the procession re-formed to march to the tea tent in the middle of the ground.' The Royal Marine Band, under the direction of Mr Frank Winterbottom, supplied the music and the guests were entertained by a game of cricket between a combined team of 13 from Devonport and Stonehouse and 12 men from Plymouth. The Plymouth team won by 38 runs to 23, with only one man, Mr J D Sowerby, achieving double figures (11). The fact that Mr J D Sowerby was the Chief Constable of Plymouth may have had something to do with it. He was bowled out by Mr J W Robins and caught by Mr S Brooming. It is recorded that the expenses for the Royal Marine Band, amounting to ten guineas, were divided into 190ths, with Plymouth paying 113/190ths, Devonport 64, and Stonehouse just 13. The work cost £20,000. There was a caretaker, a Mr William Mortimer, who , together with his wife, was paid one pound a week. They did, however, have free accommodation, with gas and coal included, and also permission to sell refreshments so long as they were non-intoxicating. A bandstand and shelter were added in 1903.
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