Tuesday 1st May 1990
The Lake Pleasure Grounds, Warminster
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Written by Danny Howell and first published in Warminster & District Archive magazine, number four, May 1990:
Warminster is particularly lucky to have a really pleasant and delightful park so close to the town centre. It boasts a large boating lake with two islands and several breeds of ducks, a putting green, a bandstand, tennis courts, and the King George V Memorial Playing Field with a paddling pool for younger members of the family to splash about in. Nearby is the Greenland Scout Hut. An open-air swimming pool, near the entrance gates off Weymouth Street, closed a few years ago when the Sports Centre, with an indoor pool, opened at Woodcock Road, Warminster. Many residents and visitors alike have proclaimed the park the best in any they’ve seen during their travels around the world. This compliment is all the more remarkable when you consider that this part of Warminster was formerly the town’s refuse dump!
The Lake Pleasure Grounds, to give the park its proper name, were originally laid out in 1924. The idea for this amenity had been suggested some 13 years previously, as a way of commemorating the Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary (22nd June 1911), but the First World War delayed any progress. It wasn’t until after the hostilities that plans were put into operation and the scheme provided much-needed work for some of the men of Warminster who had so bravely fought for King and Country, only to return home afterwards to suffer the depression of the early 1920s and its associated unemployment problems. The cost of constructing the Park was £8,000; half of which met the wages of those employed.
Mr. C.H. Lawton, the Surveyor to the Warminster Urban District Council, devised, planned and supervised the scheme, which saw the removal of all the rubbish dump – ridding an eyesore and possible health danger. The construction work was hampered by bad weather, and the lake was dug without the use of mechanical excavators; the men using spades and wheelbarrows. It is filled with water from the Were, a small stream which flows through the Park (where it is known as the Swan River) and later joins the River Wylye at Calveswater. The Were rises near Cley Hill and gives its name to the town of Warminster, which was formerly known as “Worgemynster” (which means the minster or Saxon church on the River Were).
The Lake Pleasure Grounds were officially opened by the Marquis of Bath on Saturday 26th July 1924. At 3.30 p.m. a large crowd gathered by the Town Hall to watch Lord Bath meet with members of the Council and other dignitaries. At 3.45 p.m. the Town Band headed a procession from the Town Hall, down Weymouth Street, towards the entrance to the Lake Pleasure Grounds. The Royal Wilts Yeomanry, under Captain Reid, formed a guard of honour. Council Chairman, Mr. C. Harris Stratton, welcomed Lord Bath who unlocked the park gates and declared the Lake Pleasure Grounds open. In his speech, Lord Bath said: “I do feel that it is a very great thing for places the size of Warminster to have a place where the inhabitants may go and feel they can walk about and enjoy themselves in perfect security from any disadvantages at all.” He added: “I earnestly trust that this lake and park will be a source of enjoyment, rest and recreation to my friends and neighbours in Warminster.”
Two thousand people then flocked into the grounds to enjoy the facilities for the first time. On the putting green Lord Bath made the first shot and played two holes. Then followed a match between West Wiltshire District Council and Warminster Urban District Council (won by the latter). A second match featuring Warminster members of West Wilts Golf Club against Trowbridge members, proved triumphant for Trowbridge.
At the Swimming Baths, Mr. R.W. Marsh, of the Market Place, had organised a race between Frome and Chippenham swimming clubs. Frome were the victors. They were also successful in a water-polo match against Chippenham. Westbury’s water-polo team gave an exhibition for the crowd. Meanwhile, on the tennis courts, Mr. H.W. Hankey arranged matches which proved just as exciting to watch.
Warminster Town Band, conducted by Mr. William Waylen, played selections throughout the afternoon and evening. As darkness fell a grand firework display thrilled the crowd, its colours reflected in the water of the lake, and the day’s programme concluded at 11.00 p.m. with the National Anthem.
The Lake Pleasure Grounds remain to this day a source of enjoyment for one and all, young and old. The Morgan Memorial Fountain, erected outside the Savings Bank (the General Post Office) in the Market Place in 1892, was removed to the park during the summer of 1937. The fountain (out of action) stands between the old swimming baths and the putting green but recent proposals to enhance Warminster’s Market Place, following the opening of the Bypass, could include returning the fountain to its original position. A recent addition in the park has been the Lakeside Centre, below the slope of the Ridgeway, as a meeting place for the town’s senior citizens. Everything blends into the attractive surroundings of the well-tended gardens, always a blaze of colour and interest and a living credit to the Council gardeners who help to make Warminster such a delightful place to live, work and relax in.