SOUTHAMPTON'S parks are renowned and much admired dating back to 1844 when the central parks were first adopted and then developed gradually during the rest of the century, the avenue of lime trees being main feature, until development with planting of shrub beds and bedding displays (plants being provided by local nurseries) just before the turn of the century.

After the First World War more development, including the bowling green and tennis courts, took place, with the employment of more gardeners leading on to the creation of the rock garden, and all manner of specialist planting.

There was the acquisition and development of parks in the suburbs such as the Veracity Ground, Portswood Recreation Ground, St James’ Park, Bitterne Park Recreation Ground, Mayfield Park etc, the creation of the outdoor sports centre during the 1930s and the parks nursery at Sydney House.

Then with Southampton’s expanding council estates there were further parks such as Green Park, Mansel Park, Riverside Park and with central parks evolving during this period with the expansion of the rhododendron beds in Palmerston Park, a proposed arboretum of unusual trees.

Planting of scented gardens, iris and dahlia borders, rosebeds including Royal National Society rose garden trial grounds etc until lottery funding in the late 1990s brought about more change.

I have discovered so much about the Parks and Open Spaces researching the city council public lands committee minutes covering the period from the late 1800s to the 1970s (the committee names did change during that time).

The Daily Echo gave me access to its archives at the old Above Bar offices, The Bitterne Local History Society has postcards and photographs to supplement this and I have interviewed several past and present parks department workers with long memories.

It is intended that all the information I have acquired will become a book on the history of Southampton’s many parks and the people that worked in them, to be published by the Bitterne Local History Society.

I would be delighted to receive more information on any former staff of the Southampton parks department, your readers may have photographs of workers taken upon retirement or other occasions during their working lives and there may be diaries or other memories left by departed relatives.

Please contact me via email at kenprior@btinternet.com or phone 023 8049 0947.

Ken Prior, Southampton.