Epsom, Rosebery Park 1924

Photo ref: 75373

More about this scene

In 1913 the Council received an offer of land skirting Woodcote Hall from Lord Rosebery as 'proof of my deep and abiding affection for Epsom'. Ulterior motives were suspected since the new public status of the land would prevent a proposed road scheme near his house; still, the Council expressed their gratitude, and called it Rosebery Park. They called in a gardener from Hyde Park to design their new treasure. It was bordered by trees and shrubs, with clumps of trees and gravel paths. A pond was enlarged and stocked with fish from the ornamental lake at Woodcote Park. This froze solid in January, and was soon covered with bricks and old tin cans. In the summer the first protest came from a house next door, because young nurses were sitting on an adjoining bench with babies who cried. Wearily the councillors sent their youngest member, James Chuter Ede, on a tour of inspection. He found 83 children playing peaceably around the pond.