Beech Recreation Ground, Sowerby Bridge

Nestled in the heart of Sowerby Bridge, Beech Recreation Ground is a haven for locals and visitors seeking a breath of fresh air and a chance to unwind. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a sports fanatic, or simply looking for a place to relax with family, this park offers something for everyone.

Green Space for All

Beech Park boasts a sprawling 3.3 acres of green space, perfect for a leisurely stroll, a picnic under the trees, or a game of frisbee with friends. The open fields provide ample room for children to run free and burn off energy, while the peaceful atmosphere is ideal for those seeking a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Sports and Activities

Looking for something a little more active? Beech Park caters to the sporty side as well. The park features a designated bike path, ideal for cyclists of all ages. For those who prefer a team sport, there's also space for informal football matches or kicking a ball around with friends.

Exploring the Area

Sowerby Bridge itself is a charming town with a rich history. After enjoying the park, take a stroll along the scenic Rochdale Canal or explore the quaint shops and cafes lining the streets.

Planning Your Visit

Beech Recreation Ground is easily accessible by foot or bike, and there's usually free parking available nearby. The park is open year-round, so you can enjoy its beauty throughout the seasons.

A Community Hub

Beech Park is more than just a green space; it's a vital part of the Sowerby Bridge community. It's a place where people come together to socialise, exercise, and connect with nature. Whether you're a local resident or just passing through, Beech Recreation Ground is a welcoming spot to relax, recharge, and create lasting memories.

A Little Sporting History

On the location of the only (semi) professional sports team to represent the town, the park was established in 1903. In the 1880s, the Sowerby Bridge Rugby Club was established. Many of the bigger local rugby teams moved to the Northern Union after the split in 1895; Sowerby Bridge did the same in time for the 1901–02 Yorkshire Senior Competition season. When the leagues were reorganised at the end of the season, the team chose to remain in the Yorkshire Senior Competition rather than apply for the new 2nd tier, despite winning 7 of the 26 games. Up until July 1903, when the team left the Northern Union and quickly dissolved, they were still in this competition.

The pictures below were taken with a Nikon d3300 camera on the 9th June 2024, they can also be seen on Clickasnap in a higher resolution.

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International Football Stadiums of the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland.

 These artworks were inspired by the joint bid by England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland to host the Euro 2028 finals. They were put together for a short video collection - slideshow.

I am currently only sharing these pictures on here, copies are available to purchase from EBay UK if you would like sized 6x4.

Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Home stadium of the Republic of Ireland football and Irish Rugby Union teams, it was opened on the 14th May 2010 on the site of the former stadium Lansdowne Road. It has a capacity of 51700 and cost 410million Euro's to construct.

Hampden Park, Glasgow
Home to the Scotland international football team and until recently Queen's Park FC, Hampden Park opened on the 31st October 1903 with Queens Park beating Celtic 1-0 in a league game. The first Scotland International played at Hampden was against England on the 7th April 1906 when a then world record crowd of 102741 watched Scotland Beat England 2-1. The stadium was extensively renovated in the late 1990's and now has a capacity of 51866. The largest crowd ever to watch a match at Hampden was 149547 for a British Home Championship fixture with Scotland beating England 3-1.

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Home to the Wales Rugby Union team and occasionally hosting the Wales Football team now, the Millennium Stadium was opened on the 26th June 1999 at a cost of £121 million. It has a capacity of 73931 and the record attendance for a Wales Football international at the stadium is 73062 on the 19th November 2003 in a Euro 2004 Play Off that saw Wales lose 1-0 to Russia.

Wembley Stadium, London.
England's national football stadium, Wembley was completely rebuilt in the early 2000's and re-opened on the 9th March 2007. The cost was £789million and the rebuilt stadium has a capacity of 90000. The stadium also host's a number of football finals, the Rugby League Challenge Cup final and internationals. The record crowd at the new Wembley is 89874 for the 2008 FA Cup final between Cardiff and Portsmouth.

Windsor Park, Belfast
Home of the Northern Ireland Football team, Windsor Park opened in 1905 and at its largest could hold over 60000 spectators. Renovations in the 1990's and 2015 have led to the stadium now having a capacity of  just 18500. Despite being the home stadium of potential co-host's Northern Ireland, Windsor Park is unlikely to feature in Euro 2028 as UEFA hosting rules require all stadiums to have at a capacity of at least 30000. Hopes are being pinned on a new stadium at Casement Park to meet this requirement. The record attendance at Windsor Park was for a 1-1 draw between Ireland and England in the 1956 British Home Championship. 

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The Crossley Pavilion at People's Park, Halifax then and now. A vintage postcard and a modern look.

I recently added the bottom postcard to my collection, it shows a view of Peoples Park, Halifax looking from south to north towards the Crossley Pavilion. I thought I'd go take a look at the same view now a couple of weeks ago and the top picture shows the modern scene. The park is now more tree lined and covers the spire of the Park United Reformed Church, which stills stands across the road from the park's north western corner although I am told is now a business centre.

The postcard I recently purchased.

A comparison shot from a similar position.

The rear of the postcard. It gives no indication of when it was posted only wishing best wishes to its recipient, a Mr & Mrs Butterfield of Leeds.

The modern comparison picture.

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Crow Wood Park, Sowerby Bridge

Crow Wood Park, Sowerby Bridge is a public park built on the site of the former Crow Wood Mansion. Situated at Upper Bolton Brow the park is approx. 5.49 hectares in size and features a skate board area in the former bandstand, bowling green, gardens, tennis courts and children's play area. The park was renamed on the 4th August 2014 to Crow Wood Centenary Park to mark 100 years since the start of the first World War.

The park was originally the site of Crow Wood Mansion and during the World War 1, it was used as a hospital which was closed on the 5th March 1920. In May 1919 the then Sowerby Bridge Council recommended the purchase of the house and estate for use as a public park, maternity home and child welfare centre. The house stood near what are the modern day tennis courts and gardens and was demolished prior to the opening of Crow Wood Park in April 1923. The Memorial gate was unveiled at the park on the 10th November 1929 to remember those who died during the Great War, and now commemorates all the dead of both world wars who served from the Sowerby Bridge area. The park had a bandstand added in 1930 which gives a good view across all the surrounding park land, this is now a skate board area, not being used for bands as long as I can remember. There was also a paddling pool at the park for some years but this has been removed and is now a car park near the garden area.

The pictures were taken on New Years Day 2020 with a Nikon d3300, clicking any image will open a link in another window to the un-watermarked, higher resolution image on Clickasnap.

The Memorial gate which was unveiled on the 10th November 1929. The towns annual remembrance day parade congregates here.

The parks former band stand now part of a skate park. The bandstand was opened on the 4th May 1930, despite living in the area for over 45 years, I don't recall the bandstand being used regularly or having a roof covering the whole octagon.

The cobbled walkway leads down from the park in the direction of Pye Nest Road.

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West View Park, Highroad Well, Halifax February 2019

West View Park is a public park opened in 1896 and covering approx. 14 acres in the Highroad Well area of Halifax. Built on the site of a former quarry on land donated by Lord Saville, the park was the idea of Mr Henry Charles McCrea and Mr Enoch Robinson who paid for the parks development provided the local council took over responsibility for the future upkeep of the park. The park features formal gardens, play areas and a terrace. The park was named West View at the insistence of McCrea, reflecting the views over the Norland Hillside, Pennines and Calder Valley to the west of Halifax. 

In 1904 a war memorial was added to the terrace area to commemorate the 2 soldiers who died in the Afghan Wars (1839-42 / 1878-81) and the 73 who lost their lives in the South African War (1899-1902). The statue stands at 76ft (23mts) and was blown over in 1937. When unveiled the it was surrounded by 3 fields guns but theses were removed also in 1937. The statue was given Grade II listed status on the 23rd November 1973.

This set of pictures was taken in February 2019 using a Nikon d3300 SLR camera. They can be seen below or on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

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The People's Park, Halifax

The People's Park is a 12.5 acre park built by Sir Francis Crossley and opened in 1857. After the park had been opened for a year it was transferred to the Halifax Corporation for the people of Halifax to use as  a park forever. The following 12 conditions are attached to the gift,

1. That the park is open to the public from morning until evening, during the whole year.

2. That the park is opened as soon as the sun rises after 6am, but never before, and remains open until dusk.

3. That it can only be used as a promenade.

4. That no games such as cricket, bowls, or hockey, etc be allowed, nor bathing.

5. Bands be allowed except on Sundays, but dancing prohibited.

6. That refreshments not be sold in the park.

7. That the corporation spend not less than £315 annually maintaining the grounds, buildings, bridges, statues, trees, shrubs, walks and seats. Also providing gardeners and keepers.

8. If the corporation fails to maintain the park, it shall revert to Frank Crossley or his heirs.

9. No buildings shall be erected except summer houses, lodges, and like structures, as may from time to time be necessary.

10. The park shall not be used for any political or other meeting, nor yet for the celebration of the anniversaries of clubs or other societies.

11. No charge shall ever be made for admission to the park, nor any use made of it for private or municipal pecuniary advantage.

12. That the corporation make and enforce such regulations as shall protect the trees, walks, etc from injury.

Crossley had been impressed with the scenery on a visit to New England, which had inspired him to build such a space for the workers of Halifax to enjoy and proposed "to arrange art and nature so that they shall be within the walk of every working man in Halifax, that he shall go to take his stroll there after he has done his hard day's toil, and be able to get home without being tired".

The Pavilion.

Built by G.H. Stokes the Pavilion was inaugurated on the 14th August 1860 and features a marble statue of Sir Francis Crossley. There are pools either side of the pavilion which have the following inscriptions above them "The rich and the poor meet together. The Lord is the maker of them all. Blessed by the Lord who daily loadeth us with benefits. Let no man seek his own but every man another's wealth. The Pavilion sits on the terrace.

The Terrace.

The statues and urns that run along the length of terrace were designed by G.H. Stokes and sculptured by Francesco Bienaime. The terrace featured an urn at each end of the terrace and has had statues added at various times of Apollo (Son of Zeus), Dancing Girl, Diana (Roman Goddess), Hercules, Neapolitan Music Girl, Sophocles, Telemachus and Venus. Over the years these statues have suffered from erosion and vandalism and not all still remain.

The Crossley Fountain.

At the centre of the park stands the Crossley and Saville fountain. Built in 1864 by Simpson of Pimlico the Crossley fountain was replaced in 1914 when Sir Savile Crossley offered to provide a new fountain, since 1914 the fountain then became known as the Saville and Crossley Fountain.

The Bandstand.

The bandstand was built in 1882 and made of cast-iron, wood and features a zinc roof. When the bandstand opened music was only allowed on a weekday.

Smith Sundial

The Grade II listed Smith Sundial was presented to the town of Halifax in 1873. It was created by John Smith for Pocklington School, but they rejected it and Matthew Smith a local politician purchased the sundial.

The Thorp Fountain.

No longer connected to the water supply the Thorp Fountain was a drinking fountain designed by John Hogg and given to the park by Joseph Thorp. The fountain bears the following "Thank God for water, Water is best" The fountain is Grade II listed.

The Lake and Ponds.

The parks has a serpentine pond - lake to the eastern edge which is crossed by a couple of Grade II cast iron bridges. The lake - pond is approx 175m in length and widens as runs from north to south in the park.

The pictures above and below were taken on the 27th May 2018 with a Nikon d3300 camera. They can also be seen on Clickasnap un-watermarked and higher resolution. Clicking any picture should open the Clickasnap version in another window.

Thanks for looking, please take a moment to share and follow me on social media. Clicking any image should open a link in another window to the higher resolution, un-watermarked version on Clickasnap.

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.