An article in the Glossop Chronicle on 21 January 1938 told how Bankswood Park was created on land previously known as "The Castle.”
Officially, Bankswood was purchased by the council in 1926 but unofficially it was said that Bankswood was obtained for nothing. The land had become the property of Mr. J. Todd when he purchased the Glossop Hall Estate. He then sold it to a Mr. R. Wilson. When the council was negotiating with Mr Todd to buy Glossop Hall and grounds, S. T. Ashton, then chairman of the Finance Committee tried to persuade Mr. Todd to include Bankswood in the purchase price. Mr. Todd initially said that he could not do so as he had already sold It to Mr. Wilson but was ultimately persuaded to buy the land back from Mr. Wilson. The council finally bought Glossop Hall and the grounds which formed Manor Park, with the land for Bankswood being included in the purchase. Bankswood was not officially opened like Manor Park, but it was still a big day for Hadfield when the tennis courts at Bankswood and the slipper baths at Station Road were opened. In addition to the tennis courts there was a paddling pool, a children's playground, and formal flower beds providing colour in summer and autumn. Before the park was laid out there was a level crossing over the railway at Nimble Nook which had always been used as a short cut. There was a great deal of opposition when the railway company announced their intention of closing the level crossing, members and officials of the Council even going to London for discussions with railway managers, but the company would neither change its decision nor put a footbridge across the track. The increase In the number of people using the land after Bankswood was laid out meant that the decision to close the crossing was wise but the lack of a footbridge was certainly an inconvenience. That was especially the case as the road bridge on Marlow Brow had no footpath until 1966. |
The (1922) map and the photo both show the location of the old level crossing at the end of Queen Street (which had been part of Shaw Lane before housing development).
The field in front of the railway in the photo was laid out as a football pitch in the 1950s and 60s - rather dangerous if a ball was kicked over the fence. |
Two views from the woods of the paddling pool, tennis courts and the children's playground. | |
and two views in the woods themselves. | |