Earl’sgoldenkey unlocked90 yearsofParklife

What is your connection to Stanley Park?

I’d played in Stanley Park since 1945, when I was 10 years old.

The Friends’ group began in 2002 when Blackpool Council was trying for a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and to be successful needed community backing. At the time I was secretary to the Blackpool Civic Trust and became a founder member of the group.

The funding was granted and the park restored to its former glory.

Whose idea was it to build the park and why?

In 1837 Blackpool only had 710 people. The coming of the railway in 1846 sparked great expansion and between 1870 and 1900 the population rose to 48,000.

Blackpool Mayor and MP Sir Albert Lindsay Parkinson purchased a large area of land to the east of the town. He persuaded the council to buy it from him, for the same price, on condition that it became a park.

How long did it take to build?

In 1922, the famous architects T.H. Mawson and Sons of London & Lancaster were commissioned to design the park. Local builders were used and many Irish workmen employed. By October 2, 1926, the park – which covers more than 250 acres – was ready to be officially opened.

Who was it named after?

The park was opened by Edward George Villiers Stanley, 17th Earl of Derby, who was a local landowner.

Was the opening a big occasion?

Mayor Thomas Bickerstaffe and 80 other mayors and mayoresses from across the county were joined by other dignitaries. A golden key was used to unlock the park’s main gates.

What are some of the landmarks?

The bandstand, based on a classical temple design, opened in 1929. It sits at the side of the 22-acre lake.

Every Sunday during summer, people can watch entertainment against a beautiful backdrop.

There’s also a 51-acre golf course, a variety of sports and activities, a model village, an international-sized BMX course, an Art Deco café, rose garden and the Italian Gardens.

Anything unusual about the park?

The fountain, lions and all the statues in the Italian Gardens were given to Blackpool by John Magee, a brewer in Bolton who made his fortune selling his beer in the town.

They were purchased from Stowe House in Buckinghamshire when death duties forced a sale. Five years ago, the original lions were returned to Stowe House and we now have replicas.

Our association with Stowe continues as their band plays annually on our bandstand.

Any local characters with a connection to Stanley Park?

Being such a well-known park it is constantly in use for photo shoots for shows. A fellow member of the Friends Of Stanley Park includes singer Denise Nolan.

How well used is the park?

With so many sports facilities the park is in constant use. Our recent Animal Antics family day was attended by more than 5000 people and on Sundays we often have 2000 at the bandstand.

How was the 90th summer marked yesterday?

The official opening ceremony of 1926 was recreated with staff and guests dressed in period costume.

Among the specially invited guests was 95-year-old Edith Wilkinson, who attended the first ceremony 90 summers ago.

Edward Stanley, the 19th Earl of Derby, unlocked the ornate main gates using a golden key, just as his grandfather did 90 years earlier, and schoolkids dressed to represent different decades.