Broadfield Park gets a welcome re-opening

Rochdale's oldest park has been officially re-opened. A huge event took place at Broadfield Park to celebrate it's re-opening after thorough renovation work was completed earlier this summer. Bands performed on the new bandstand, whilst the hundreds of visitors to the park were treated to a range of entertainments and activities, from Punch amp; Judy to learning circus skills.

The Victorian Park on Sparrow Hill was first opened in 1874 and was Rochdale's first public park. A £2 million lottery grant and funding from Rochdale Council enabled the park's restoration and yesterday, Sunday 23 July, marked it's official re-opening to the public.

The fountain and landscaped gardens have all been restored, whilst the Dialect Poets' Memorial and Victoria Bridge have been tidied up to great effect.

Crowds were entertained by a wide variety of music with jazz from the 'Tame Valley Stompers', Bollywood from 'Bolton Melodies' and traditional Irish from 'Moot'.

Earlier audiences had been treated to performances from the Pandemonium Percussion Project and had chance to get some hands on drumming experience when Pandemonium hosted a workship, before the park was officially opened at 2pm when Saif Javed, the oldest pupil at Broadfield Primary School at eleven years and ten months, cut the ribbon alongside the Deputy Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Robin Parker and Deputy Mayoress Mrs Ann Jones

The event was hosted by the Friends of Broadfield Park group alongside the Council's Parks Service and Environmental Management. Martin Hathaway, the Rochdale Parks Project Manager, has been working with his team on the Broadfield Park restoration for three years. He said: "It's great to see hundreds of local people here today. We have been working for many years towards this and I think everyone would agree that the park looks superb and it was great to invite local school children to cut the ribbon."

The Secretary of the Friends of Broadfield Park, 16 year-old Rizwan Khan, commented on a successful opening day. He said: "Getting to this stage has meant a lot of hard work for a lot of people but today has been fantastic. The weather helped everyone to have a good time, the turnout has been fantastic."

Reporter: Jan Harwood

Date article online: 23/07/2007