People are being invited to share their memories of Barrow Park as work to redevelop the former park keeper’s house continues.
Piel View House is the home of sound, art and new music organisation, Full of Noises, who will move back in once the extensive project is complete in the summer.
They’d like to hear from anyone with memories of the park, particularly Piel View House which was built on the site of a farm pre-dating the creation of Barrow Park in 1908.
The park, covering 45 acres, was designed by renowned garden designer and town planner, Thomas Mawson.
More than a hundred years since it opened, Barrow Park is still a special place for Barrovians and visitors.
In 2019, as part of their Not In The Shipyard Now project, Full of Noises recorded people’s memories of the park including those of former park superintendent, John Crossfield and senior park ranger, Ken Higginson.
John’s first memory of Piel View House was visiting the park superintendent there as a Scout hoping to earn his gardening badge.
“I knocked on the big imposing door and then was asked lots of questions about gardening by the superintendent who said he would sign my certificate so I could get my badge,” said John.
Having always been interested in gardening, he asked if he could become an apprentice in the park and got his chance in 1950.
One of his first jobs was as a can lad, making sure all the other gardeners had hot tea while outside doing their work. At that time, pollution caused by Barrow’s industries meant the variety of plants and shrubs which could withstand such an atmosphere was limited.
Over the years, John worked up to become park superintendent himself. “It was a job I enjoyed doing, meeting the public and providing a facility which made life a bit more pleasant for a lot of people.”
Ken Higginson was also proud of the part he played in Barrow Park’s life. “It makes me feel great to know that it gives so much pleasure to so many people. I like to think that I’ve made a lot of people smile,” he said.
Thanks to support from Arts Council England, The Sir John Fisher Foundation and park owners, Barrow Borough Council, Piel View House will become a nationally recognised centre for Full of Noises.
The £640,000 redevelopment includes a new ground floor extension to provide a 40 capacity performance and project space as well as a reception and offices. This space has been designed precisely for high-quality acoustics and will provide a new hub for FON’s ongoing activities in the park.
The project is being delivered by Barrow-based Leck Construction and has been designed by Leeds Environmental Design Associations (LEDA).
Anyone with memories of Barrow Park and specifically Piel View House can email them to [email protected] or post on FON’s social media (see links at fonfestival.org)
