Victoria Park, Widnes

Victoria Park is the premier urban park in Widnes, Cheshire, England. It is managed by Halton Borough Council.[1]

The War Memorial Pillar
Zeppelin Milestone marker

History
The butterfly house

The park was opened in 1900 to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria.[2] It is on the former Appleton House estate and was created by the local council with funds collected via a public subscription.[3]

Facilities

There are formal gardens, a lake, a fountain, a skate park, climbing boulder, bandstand, cafe, children's play area, tennis courts and a butterfly house.[4]

Landmarks
The Gladstone Memorial fountain
Statue of Sgt. Thomas Mottershead V.C.

There is a memorial fountain in honour of William Ewart Gladstone. A milestone marker with plaque commemorates the last effective Zeppelin air raid of World War I in England. Five Zeppelins dropped bombs in Widnes, Ince and Wigan.[5] There is a statue of Sgt. Thomas Mottershead V.C., DCM (1892 -1917) who was born in Widnes and was awarded a Victoria Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal in World War I. There is a combined memorial headstone for Mottershead and two other recipients of the V.C. from Halton: Thomas Wilkinson and Thomas Alfred Jones.

War memorial pillar

The park contains a Grade II listed war memorial pillar. Incorporating detailed carvings and standing more than 16m high, the memorial is a striking and prominent architectural building.[6] The pillar was designed by Harold E Davies and unveiled by the 17th Earl of Derby in a ceremony on 28 September 1921 after a civic parade from Widnes town hall. The memorial cost £6000 and was paid for by public subscription. The sculptural additions were undertaken by the national artist Herbert Tyson Smith.[7]

Events

Vintage Steam Rally

Each year the park hosts North West England's largest Vintage Steam Rally, featuring a vintage fair, and vintage steam machinery.[8]

Parkrun

A 5 km parkrun takes place every Saturday morning beginning at 9am.[9]

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See also

References
  1. https://www3.halton.gov.uk/Pages/libraries/parks.aspx
  2. https://www.visitliverpool.com/things-to-do/victoria-park-p16147
  3. The Wonders of Widnes. Author Andrew Richardson. West Derby Publishing. ISBN 1 871075 07 6. Page 54 - 56
  4. http://visit.halton.me/project/victoria-park/
  5. The Wonders of Widnes. Author Andrew Richardson. West Derby Publishing. ISBN 1 871075 07 6. Page 54 - 56
  6. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1392210
  7. https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1392210
  8. http://northwestvintagerally.co.uk
  9. http://www.parkrun.org.uk/widnes/

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