Thomasson Gymnasium, Bolton

THE THOMASSON GYMNASIUM AND RECREATION GROUNDS - As previously intimated in our columns the Green Bank House Estate, Folds-road, together with the old mansion thereon, built Mr. James Diggle, in 1785, and for many years occupied by Mr. Robert Burton, cotton spinner, has been purchased by our junior representative, Mr. J. P. Thomasson, for the purposes of a gymnasium and recreation grounds for the use of the inhabitants of his native town. The formation of the grounds and the erection of buildings thereon are now being rapidly proceeded with from designs by Mr. Haselden, architect. The principal entrance will be from Folds-road, the central gateway having handsome stone piers, stone base and wrought iron railing. From Folds-road, the general playground is first reached. Its extent is 195  feet by 145  feet, and on either side of this will be glass and iron verandahs 7 feet wide, and total length of 277 feet Passing through the playground a girls’ playground is reached, having covered portion 40 feet by 20 feet The contract for this erection, which includes handsome screen walls, and entrance from Lark-street has been entrusted to Mr. John Reed, contractor, Blackburn-road. At the north-west corner of the ground will be a tennis court, 75 feet long by 33 feet wide, asphalted with rock asphalt The gymnasium situated the north side of the estate, and will contain two rooms, each 40 feet by 30 feet, and two dressing rooms for the. athletes. The height of the gymnasium from the floor to the tie beams of the roof is 21 feet; the roof open-timbered, composed of varnished pine, and the building lighted from the roof and windows front. The contract for this building is in the hands of Mr. Robertshaw. The fittings for the gymnasium have been ordered from Mr. Geo. Spencer, of London, and include bridge ladder, two horizontal bars, two pairs of parallel bars, vaulting horse, sloping ladder, sparred plank, chest machine, rings, climbing poles, hanging poles, jumping stands, elastic ladder, etc. In the rear of the gymnasium a house is provided for the caretaker of the grounds and gymnasium. In the centre of the grounds is a terrace of imposing appearance, reached by six steps from the playground. It has wall with stone base, ornamental brick parapet with stone coping, and pedestals for statuary. From the terrace will two projecting wings fitted with seats; and between the terrace and the gymnasium the space will planted with hardy shrubs, annuals, etc., laid out in plots. The entire design is one which will commend itself to the inhabitants, who will find in the gymnasium and grounds a means healthy recreation and enjoyment, as valuable to them as the origination and carrying out of the scheme is creditable to the benevolent intentions of Mr. Thomasson. The new ground will, expected, be open for the public in about three months’ time. [Bolton Evening News - Saturday 2 July 1881 page 4] 

FOLDS-ROAD GYMNASIUM. To-morrow evening the Mayor (Aid. T. Glaister) will open the new gymnasium on Folds-road, the outcome of a portion of the scheme so generously originated by our junior member, Mr. J. P. Thomasson. We here previously given from time to time particulars of the commencement and progress of the work, which includes handsome recreation ground, play grounds, etc., but it may not be  without interest if we refer to the origin of the scheme, end its present development. 'The new gymnasium and recreation grounds form part the Green Bank House estate, Folds-road, which purchased by Mr. Thomasson, together with the old mansion thereon, built by Mr. James Diggle in 1785, and many years occupied by Mr. Robert Burton, cotton spinner. The work of transforming the old mansion and adjacent unattractive plot land into handsome and commodious gymnasium and pleasure grounds for the people commenced about ten months ago, and has progressed that now, although the recreation and playgrounds are not yet completed, the gymnasium is quite ready for the opening to-morrow evening, Mr. T. Haselden, architect, was entrusted with the work of preparing plans for the gymnasium, etc., Mr. Robertshaw being the contractor. The old mansion was thoroughly re-modelled, the inner partition walls being removed, and a large new building added 39f feet by 30 feet, the whole interior being 70 feet 30 feet wide, and 22 feet high. Two dressing-rooms, each 12ft square, large bathroom fitted up with shower bath, and suitable rooms for the caretaker, are in close proximity to the large gymnasium, which is suitably fitted up by Mr. George. Spencer, London, with the following athletic appliances - A bridge ladder, two horizontal bars, two pairs of parallel bars, one German vaulting horse, with shifting legs; plank, chest machine, two pairs of swivel handlings, three ropes, two hanging poles, one fixed pole, knotted rope, rosary, one pair of jumping stands, Indian clubs and dumb bells.[Bolton Evening News - Wednesday 16 November 1881 page 4]

Reference    Bolton Evening News – Saturday 2 July 1881 page 4
Reference    Bolton Evening News - Wednesday 16 November 1881 page 4