Alexandra Park Oldham

The Park was constructed as a direct result of the 1861 Federal blockade of Confederate seaports during the American Civil War preventing the export of raw cotton to Britain. To Oldham, the unspun "Southern Cotton" was lifeblood; without the raw material the mills were silent and men and their families idle. In an attempt to relieve the situation, the government had offered loans for public works at a preferential rate of interest and, as the building of a public park had been a popular idea for over 20 years, this seemed the ideal opportunity to ease unemployment and improve Oldham’s recreational facilities. Men working on the park earned the right to a free hot meal each day for their entire families, plus a bread ration and milk for infants.  By 1863 the Council had purchased the 57‑acre Swine Clough Estate from the Rev John Cocker and, after buying a further 15 acres, invited architects to submit plans for the landscaping of the park. The Council eventually chose Woodhouse and Potts, together with William Henderson of Birkenhead, a landscape gardener. The first sod was cut in 1863 by Mayor John Riley. The foundation stone was laid; the park was named in honour of Princess Alexandra of Denmark and her marriage to the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VII). On Wakes Monday, 28th August 1865, in typical Oldham Wakes weather, Mayor Josiah Radcliffe unlocked the gate, allowing thousands their first walk round the park they had created.

OPENING OF A PUBLIC PARK AT OLDHAM – The park, which very pretty one, and admirably designed, lies to the south of the town, and is bounded on one side by the Iine of railway from Oldham to Guide Bridge. Its formation is entirely due to the fact of so many operatives having wanted employment during the cotton distress, and with the beneficial operation of the Public Works (Manufacturing Districts) Act. In June 1863, a special committee of the Oldham Town Council presented a report to that Corporation, suggesting the formation of a park, and recommending the purchase of the Swine Clough estate (which was then the property of the Rev. J. Cocker), for the sum of £10,750, and the employment or the operatives in carrying out the necessary works. Both the Council and the inhabitants of Oldham approved of the project and the purchase was effected. The Council also bought twenty acres of the adjoining land. This made the extent of land bought for the park 72 acres, and the cost was rather mare than £18,000. The park occupies about five sixths of the site, and the other portion, we believe, is intended to be built on. The aggregate cost of the site, and expenditure on the works has been entirely defrayed by a loan from the Public Works Loan Commissioners, under the provisions of Act of 1863, and the sum (£30,900) is to be repaid, with interest at 3 per cent; by annual instalments during thirty years. When the estate was acquired, the Park Committee had competitive designs sent into them, and they selected the design of Mr. Henderson, of Birkenhead, for the garden arrangements; and the plans of Woodhouse and Potts, of Oldham. for the works and buildings. A considerable number of cotton operatives were employed in the formation of the park, and it is stated that their conduct has been most exemplary. The approach to the park is by means of a strong wooden bridge over a deep ravine, at the bottom of which is a small stream. Ascending from this is an open piece of ground, and nearby facing the bridge are placed the park gates, which are of ornamental cast iron. and hung on massive stone piers. To the left of the entrance is the park-keepers residence. of Yorkshire stone, and in the Italian style. From the gates a broad walk leads to a flight of stone steps, from the top of which runs a fine terrace about 400 yards in length. About halfway along this terrace is small band pavilion, the back of which is formed by a semi-circular stone wall; the front is an arcade of ornamental design, the iron castings having been obtained from Glasgow. Facing this pavilion is a walk leading to the fountains (which stand in circular stone basins) and a pond which is neatly ornamented. At the end of the terrace is a refreshment room, in the upper stony of which it is intended to establish a museum, to which many people have already offered handsome contributions. Behind the refreshment-room a walk leads to the Glodwick entrance, and to the gardener's house, which, for the sake of variety, has been erected with brick and in the Gothic style. The park is not yet completed, but sufficient has been done to show what an attractive place it will be when time has permitted the managers to effect various improvements and carry out the suggestions which must from time to time occur to them. [Manchester Guardian 29 August 1865 page 5]

Reference Manchester Guardian 29 August 1865 page 5