Warminster celebrates 100 years of pleasure on the lake

Celebrations for a city park turning 100 begin Friday and include airborne pyrotechnics, musical acts and 1920s fairground rides.

Warminster’s Lake Pleasure Ground is a focal point for many events in the Wiltshire town and includes a lake, splash pad, skate park, bandstand and cafe.

The park was officially opened on 26 July 1924 by the Marquess of Bath – the owner of Longleat – and was built on land used as a rubbish dump.

The town hall organized the event for free, but it had to be ticketed.

Music is played regularly at the bandstand, the Warminster Model Boat Club uses the lake, there are boats for hire, a putting green and there is now a nature reserve right next to it.

Over the years, there have been changes and additions to the grounds. There is now a Lakeside Centre, for example, for community groups and activities.

After the First World War unemployment was a big problem and the park was one of the public works schemes designed to employ unemployed men.

It cost £8,000 with a loan from the Ministry of Works and money from the Unemployment Grants Committee.

In 1923 the council bought the old pinnacle on Weymouth Street for conversion.

The opening 100 years ago included sports competitions, entertainment, a concert and fireworks.

Val Bush now runs the cafe in the park and remembers it in the 1960s: “This has been the park to come to since the sixties.

“We had an outdoor pool, we had slides and swings, but nothing like what we have now, it’s amazing what we have now.

“The pool was where the garden of remembrance is now … it was cold.”

Mrs. Bush said it’s even better than it was, and people are coming from miles around to see it.

“It’s a good day for the kids. It’s a very good asset for the city,” she added.

Since 2016, the park has been run by Warminster Borough Council.

Mayor Stacie Allensby told the BBC: “A lot of people really respect the park.”

Despite the big popular events there, she said: “Some people still don’t know the park is here. It’s well hidden, but we hope to improve this with decent signage.”

She explained that she is looked after by a “fantastic” team.

Groundsman Joe Reece said it was “the best park in Wiltshire”.

He explained that you can’t see the road so you don’t hear a lot of traffic or other noise which is a plus.

“Everyone is so positive about this park. I don’t get any complaints,” added Mr Reece.

Since taking over the park from Wiltshire Council, Warminster Borough Council has made changes including building the space-themed splashpad and improving the tennis courts.

The park has been recognized with a Green Flag award for well-managed parks and green spaces.

In addition to the centenary, other major events take place there, with the ice cream and bubble festival taking place in August.

The biggest downside to pleasure grounds seems to be the birds – visitors can be a bit nervous about the geese.

“Canadian geese are an acquired taste,” the mayor said.

Meanwhile, Mr Reece remembers the swans: “I don’t mind the geese. They were angry swans – we had Dangerous Doug. One that would jump out of the lake… well known.”