Joint Tree Planting at Birch Vale, Coronation Playing Fields 1953

An interesting article from the High Peak Reporter 27th November 1953:
An historic occasion in the story of New Mills and Hayfield took place on Saturday afternoon when representatives of the Urban District Council and the Parish Council met at Birch Vale with representatives of the corporate life of the districts to plant trees around the perimeter of Ravenslack Playing Fields as the first step in the establishment of a memorial of the coronation of Queen Elizabeth.

 Councillor W. A. Leigh J.P. (Chairman of New Mill Town Council) welcomed Councillor G. H. Dale (Chairman) and the members of Hayfield Parish Council, the vicar of New Mills Rev T. L. Weatherhead, ministers of religion, magistrates, representatives of various organisations and others present and reminded them of the reason they were gathered together.

 Standing on the boundary between the two parishes Councillor Leigh said "Birch Vale never had a park or recreation ground of its own before, and it seems fitting to me that a start should be made in the Coronation year. We are hoping to continue in the spring by providing a playground for the children and seats for the older people."

Standing as it does, aside the boundary between New Mills and Hayfield, this playing field will be readily accessible to the people of both parishes, and will serve in many ways to foster the feeling of goodwill between the two councils. It is a very great pleasure to my wife and I to take part in the tree planting here today. For us as many of you know it is a case of coming home to Birch Vale. I would like to thank you all for attending this ceremony today and now I am sure you are all anxious to begin. I am going to ask Councillor Dale to say a few words to you and then plant the first tree."

 Councillor Dale, on behalf of himself and his colleagues on the Parish Council, thanked Councillor Leigh for his invitation to take part in the ceremony. "You all know my interest in sport and I can think of no better way of commemorating  the Coronation of our young Queen than by providing a place where the children of our two districts can find recreation and our old people rest," said councillor Dale. "The members of Hayfield Parish Council are very pleased to be here today and we hope that this will mark the beginning of a closer relationship between us and New Mills Town Council."

 Councillor Leigh handed a spade to Councillor Dale and crossing into the New Mills Urban District accompanied by Councillor and Mrs Leigh, Councillor Dale planted a laburnum on the perimeter of the new Coronation Playing Fields. The spade was returned to Councillor Leigh and the party walked a few yards across the boundary where Councillor Leigh planted the second tree - a Sycamore - in the Hayfield parish.

Following this the remaining trees were planted. In all 44 trees were planted by or on behalf of members and officials of New Mills Council, members of Hayfield Council, vicar of New Mills, superintendent Methodist minister (Rev G. A. F. Gostick), Congregational minister (Rev C. M. Tutt), the Society of Friends, Mr C. E Griffin J.P., Major J Cochrane J.P., Mr F Brocklehurst J.P. Mrs Leigh, Mrs Fenton, Mrs Unsworth, Mr M. Sowerbutts, Rose of Sharon Lodge of Oddfellows. Toc H. (women), High Peak Choral Society, New Mills and District Amateur Operatic Society and the former New Mills Poultry Club.

 The land at Ravenslack belongs to New Mills Council, having been bought in 1951 for the sum of six hundred and forty pounds. In addition to the trees estimated to have cost around fifty pounds, the immediate proposals include seats for elderly people, children’s playground equipment, a paddling pool and a putting green.

 

 

 

This site is listed in the British Towns and Villages Encyclopaedia of Great Britain and we can be found in the entry for New Mills