Nottinghamshire’s popular West Bridgford Park celebrates 100th anniversary

A popular Nottinghamshire park has celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Bridgford Park in West Bridgford was first opened on June 23, 1923 by West Bridgford Urband District Council who bought it from Albert Heymann, a wealthy philanthropist and the authority’s first chair.

To mark the centenary birthday, the Friends of Bridgford Park, sponsors Hollies Day Nursery and council representatives met to commemorate the landmark date and held a celebratory croquet game dressed in 1920s-style outfits.

Cllr Jonathan Wheeler, Rushcliffe Borough Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for transformation, leisure and wellbeing, said: “It has been used by residents for over 100 years with wonderful memories for thousands of our residents.

“We are proud to continue to invest in the park and look forward to the next 100 years of this amazing park.”

For more than 200 years the park’s grounds were part of the Bridgford Hall estate, which was owned by both the Musters and Heymann families

The hall became the administrative home of the council and the surrounding land was opened up for the enjoyment of residents, including lawned tennis courts, football pitches, a bowling green and an aviary.

Now the park is home to West Bridgford Registration Office, an apartment hotel, junior and teen play areas, tennis courts, a fitness trail, a tree trail, a storytelling area and a Covid-19 memorial garden and sculpture.

Linda Phillips, a group volunteer, said: “West Bridgford town centre is unique, having at its heart a green space easily accessible to the public, a croquet lawn where children can safely play and workers relax often sitting on the grass in their lunch break.

“The condition of sale in 1923 of the hall and park was ‘for the enjoyments of its residents’ and long may this continue.”