Memories Of Clifton Park
I lived near Clifton Park for a number of years. My memories take me back to WW2. During the Summer months my friends and I used to play football,we put our coats down for the goals, we had a good game and arguments too. When we played cricket we played it properly as one of my friends had a bat and wickets.
Every Whitsuntide all the Sunday schools had a Parade to the Bandstand in the park and had a service. During the WW2 there was the Holiday at Home fortnight. There was an open Theatre named the "Alfresco" where the local Dancing Schools and Bands entertained the public. Also there were Donkey rides, Roundabouts, Swings and sand. At the bandstand in the early evening there was Uncle Archies Sunshine corner. There were singing contests - the winner got a bag of sweets. Later in the evening was dancing round the bandstand with a local dance band.
One August Bank Holiday Monday (I don't remember the year) two bombs were dropped in the park and one in the Girls High School across the road. It was a very dull and overcast day, if it been fine there would have been casualties.
I also remember when the Paddling Pool was open. The old lake with the swans and ducks and the childrens museum with the model train.
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RE: RE: Memories Of Clifton Park
i was there in clifton park playing football by the barrage balloon site when the three bombs came down -ran like hell,lived on clifton grove,next door to roland geenwoods butcher shop,was in the boy scouts down at the other end of clifton grove, and collected waste paper for the war effort ,memories!!!!!
Comment from Malcolm Shaw on Saturday, 7th October 2006.
RE: RE: Memories Of Clifton Park
I too loved this park and used to walk through to town, when I was allowed to, on my way home from the High school. I had no idea that a bomb had fallen on my school or in the grounds, no wonder there was an air raid shelter there.
Comment from Jan Cody on Wednesday, 30th May 2007.
RE: RE: Memories Of Clifton Park
Hi Jan
Thank you for the comment on Clifton Park. I also loved the park.
There were three bombs which fell, two in the park and the one in the High School grounds. I remember the day well. I moved from Rotherham in 1975 to Barnsley through work. When I come to Rotherham to visit my brothers annd sister in East Dene, I always walk through the park and think about the good times I had playing there.
Regards
Stan Horton
Comment from Stanley Horton on Friday, 1st June 2007.
RE: RE: Memories Of Clifton Park
I too was in Clifton Park on the day when the bombs were dropped. I cannot remember whether it was two or three bombs. I beleive it was 1942. I lived in Lister Street at the time and my father, who was home on leave, found we had lost a few tiles off the roof of the house. At that time we had two soldiers billeted with us, even though it was only a small house. We had soldiers billeted with us immediately after Dunkirk. I remember the soldiers laid on the street returning from Dunkirk, tired and dirty. Officials came to each house to see how much room you had and then told two soldiers to move in. They were all very kind and when one of them left, being a Scotsman he gave my mother a tartan tea cosy as a present.
Comment from Roy Bishop on Wednesday, 24th March 2010.