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Blisworth Gardens , Blisworth, Northamptonshire, UK. All pictures are presented at relatively low resolution. There will be hundreds of pictures on this site - there is an economic limit to the webspace available. The point of this presentation is that you can see for yourself the extent of the collection and return later as the collection expands - as it surely will. Any interest in copies of a picture at a higher resolution (ie. clarity) should be directed through contacts given in the Blisworth "Round and About" parish council publication or using the comment form on the home page. In some cases the pictures are not available due to copyright restrictions. However, permission has been obtained, where possible, to include them here. Printed below each image is the photographer's name, if known. |
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04-00 An early picture of a large lawn area at Blisworth Gardens, with the Lido swimming area in the background (see below) |
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04-01 This picture shows the swimming pool area of Blisworth gardens. Called the "Lido", it was established by the third owner of the gardens in about 1930. As shown, it is how many villagers remember it. By the mid-1930's the school regularly sent children here for swimming lessons. 1947 aerial photos (NRO) show that this pool was near to the Station Road and at a lowest point - see 04-13 below. |
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04-02 The gardens were however set up by the first owner, Thomas Shaw shortly after opening his new hotel in 1845. The second owner Charles Parker re-opened the gardens in 1879 with a lavish fete and gala as described in this poster of the times. The gardens were an attraction, especially for one day at the weekends, for people even from neighbouring counties. There was a Victorian realisation that clean air and exercise, away from the dirty busy towns, was beneficial. More information In the early part of the 20th century there were some acts of kindness towards the poor. In 1912 there were poor put up in the old Towcester workhouse and here is a letter sent out to the manager. |
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04-03 Ladies bicycle "formation" display - see Occasions section, 1896. | |
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04-04 Left to
right: Florence Lack, Nellie Smith, ?, Nelly Pallett, Lizzy Wignell, Evelyn White,
Milly Townsend, Arthur Green (h.master), Lily Goodridge, Lotty Mallard, May Foster, Dolly Leach, Bella Goodson, Dorothy Carter, Lily Harris.
Date June 13, 1911 |
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04-05 The next group of pictures date from the 1930s, the first two being at the Lido. There is evidence of the hotel, the Lido etc. being short holiday resorts in the 1930s. Also the station was a significant access point to London and british rail offered really cheap Saturday evening deals for London. See the attached advert. | |
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04-09 Walks in the woods were behind the hotel and near to The Loundes as shown in aerial photos from 1947 (NRO). | |
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04-10 Known as the "Avenue". Unfortunately there seems to be no surviving map of the gardens. | |
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04-11 Note the row of changing booths - typical of any classic Lido that survives elsewhere in the country. | |
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04-11a Only one name is presently known from this group in the 1950s. First on the slide is Mary Henshaw (who later married Stuart Woolacott). | |
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04-12 The gardens fell into disuse by 1950 once railway holidays were giving way to the motorcar. Around 1958 the 4 acre area was largely cleared and made available for caravans for workers on the M1 motorway. By 1960 there were 70 caravan type dwellings. Later it developed into a park for modest-sized homes.
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04-13 Residential park in 1985 | |