Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past Wirral History Vale Park

A tranquil Vale Park in New Brighton, no date

Shoulder pads and skirt lengths suggest it was the 40s. A few chaps about and babies - just after the end of WWII?

Wonder if the baby in the black pram has done one? Dad's certainly keeping it at arm's length...

Good Caption.... that could be why everyone on the bench are looking at him then!

Dad's probably the culprit but he's trying to blame the baby...

Just found out it was 1948

I know that it's the way that the imaage looks and a certain element of "rose-tinted specs" but could you imagine that many people sitting and quietly enjoying a Park like that now. It'd be full of youths mouthing off, litter everywhere, dog sh*t and the band-stand would be covered in grafitti......

To be fair, Vale Park hasn't changed all that much. It's still a great spot to stroll around and the cafe is very popular (just try getting a table outside when the weather is nice). I very seldom see litter or dog dirt lying around, inspite of how many dog walkers visit the park.

It's a gem of a place, and the little gallery inside Vale House and the local history info they provide all contribute to the popularity of the place. You'd be surprised how many people still go to hear bands at the bandstand.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wonkyknee/3635748434/

Here's a rare old picture of the bandstand being built in 1924:

http://www.20thcenturyimages.co.uk/trolleyed/4/21/1956/index.htm

They also have Fairy Weddings!

Is that Vale Park bandstand, granny? It looks like a scene from a play. When was it taken?

And to think the Council tried to sell it off as a Nursing Home development!

It is Vale Park taken I think 2008, no later. It was a mock up Fairy Wedding,like a play, and photographs to be used for making a book. but I don't think it got off the ground after that.

...those jackets look a bit Austin Powers, don't you think? Talk about psychedelic!

All hand made 'Livery' style.
Thing is it's not very easy to see them, as they only allowed fleeting glimpses before they shrunk in size again.