Lian and myself took a trip down memory lane on Friday and visited Derby Park which is just around the corner from where Lian grew up.
The trip was prompted through us joining the excellent Friends of Derby Park facebook page where there are some great photos.
I'd recommend taking a walk through the park if you get the chance.
A few photos of our visit including one from 1935 when the Park still had a lake.
Fantastic park, Keith, where I played in the Black Hills, climbing trees and playing war. In the 60's we'd go there in the morning from Orrell and not come back till late at night, my mum wouldn't bat an eyelid. The only sustenance was swigging water from the tap at the top of the stairs. Different times.
I used to deliver groceries for Liggetts corner of Park Street and Hawthorne Road to that house near the park gates that the head park keeper used to live in and a couple of years later had my first REAL adult kiss at those same park gates!!
Matt
Phil, Matt & Keith, It's always great to see a post about Derby Park. The Volunteers do a wonderful job there!
As a lad, I lived in Waterworks Street then Brookhill Road, nearby. By the 60s, the park lake had long gone but we once formed shifts and excavated a tunnel under the path between the old lakes. Our digging in the clay soil and stone took all day - only for the Parky to appear and make us fill in our archaeological dig! Drinking water fountains, toilets and well-kept fields for footy; we were in heaven.The park was an adventure playground, having swings, trees to climb, hills and bushes to roam around, bowling greens, grass for soccer and a bandstand where a brass band would sometimes play and an old fashioned fair would be held, complete with coconut shy, bric-a-brac and (Grandma's favourite) tombola.
As teenagers, we played tennis on the courts and courted in-between tennis. During the week, we caught the 57 bus to Bootle Grammar School in Netherton from Worcester Road, outside the gates shown by the Lodge. The bus stop was frequented by fashionable dolly birds (with diverse accents) heading for the new Giro or Midland Bank computer centres. Mini skirts were, sadly, followed by maxis then midis. But we were an appreciative audience at our very own fashion show! Walshy.
Last edited by Walsh on Tue Mar 12, 2024 11:57 am, edited 2 times in total.
Walshy, what a cracking story.
Everything you and Phil commented on is remembered fondly by my wife Lian.
Matt, you smoocher.
I never kissed at the park gates but certainly did on the benches
I also played on the Black Hills but spent a lot of time fishing for tiddlers in the lake. Fishing tackle was a bamboo cane with cotton line. float was a matchstick and the weight was a button. As bait i would get little red worms from the black mud. Tiddlers caught were taken home in a jam jar. Later i played tennis and in the early years the courts left a lot to be desired
Being a tot, over the border, in Kirkdale. The South Park was our normal playground - although we called it Kings Park.
On occasions, we'd get adventurous and set off on an epic trek to 'the Ducky Park' - presumably because of its 'duck pond'.
In later years (late teens/early twenties) I had in-laws in Gloucester Road and would often nip over to Derby Park with my younger brother-in-law to play football or even hire out a set of woods and enjoy the bowling greens - is that still a thing there I wonder?
Bern
Born and raised in Romeo Street, later Lambeth Walk, Jersey Close, Garden Place, Hawthorne Rd, Gonville Rd now Netherton
Some great memories recalled here. I think I must have been the only BGSG pupil who never ate chips in this park at lunch time In fact I have no memory of ever having been inside although I walked past those gates on Keith's first pic very many times on my way too and from school.
I have this postcard in my collection; perhaps someone can confirm that the "Bootle Park" mentioned is in fact Derby Park??
Bee
"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.
Thanks Keith.
Wasn't it grand!
Although I have to wonder why they spent so much money on such a lavish park whilst many of the townspeople were living in really poor conditions.
Bee
"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.
Bonesy wrote: ↑Thu Jul 20, 2023 10:35 am
You'd love this one Bee
Paul has posted this one. This is a close up by one of the Derby Park Volunteers.
It's called "Bee Happy"
Keithos
You're right, I'd LOVE that one in my garden Keith!
Reminds me of my mum who always signed off greetings cards "God bless, be happy". That was she ever wanted for her kids.
Lynne good to see you posting again. I've been wondering about you and our other school friend Joyce N too.
Bee
"Life" is a gift to you. The way you live your life is your gift to those who come after.
Right, not sure about this , but I still teach 1.5 days a week. Very loath to give up , as my Dad died as soon as he did at 70.
The postcard of the middle steps, I am unsure what the building that seems to be at the top of them is. So I am not sure. There were also 2 small huts, 1 each side, though I am sure 1 couls have been added later or be just out of shot. What do others think.
In fact I have no memory of ever having been inside although I walked past those gates on Keith's first pic very many times on my way too and from school. 
