Cannock Park
During the First World War the grounds provided a venue for
fund raising and morale boosting activities.
When war broke out in August 1914, the planned show (in the park grounds) for that year was hastily abandoned. In 1915/16 in order to boost morale the shows continued with half the proceeds donated to the British Red Cross and other organisations. However in 1917 it was decided not to hold an outdoor show, as the society was concentrating on food production. An autumn indoor event was held with various competitions for the heaviest crops of potatoes etc. In 1918 Mr Harry Sambrook, of the 'Penkridge Road Nurseries' donated 100 trees to 'beautify' the grounds. Because of the scarcity of labour, volunteers prepared the ground and on Saturday March 9th 1918 all the trees were planted by members of the Association available to do so. During i 918 the Association continued helping and advising local people of beekeeping and how to grow their own food. A competition was held or local schoolchildren to see how many cabbage butterflies they could destroy, with a prize of two shillings and sixpence. Schoolboy Frank Coleman managed to kill forty and won the prize. On Bank Holiday Monday (August 5th) 1918, a special one day event was held, with soldiers from the local military camps participating. The New Zealand Rifle Brigade band gave a concert. As it was not possible to stage a horse leaping event, rugby matches were held. Many local soldiers from the camps participated with the New Zealanders with the Bedford's taking a predominate role.
The Cannock Women's Co-operative Guild provided tea and refreshments, with proceeds after expenses donated to Cannock Chase Military Hospital, and the Prisoners of War Fund. The event was filmed and later shown in local cinemas.
After the war the grounds were to play a role in fund raising for the 'Cannock War Memorial Fund', when in 1922 the grounds hosted a
'Grand Carnival'. Described as one of the finest events ever held thousands of people lined the town centre as over 70 tableaux and fancy dress floats on wagons, cars and motor cycles left the Flower Show grounds through the Simm Lane (now Park Road) entrance and paraded along the streets of the town to the market place and back to the Flower Show grounds.
They were accompanied by the band of the South Staffordshire Regiment from Lichfield and the Salvation Army. At the Flower Show grounds prizes were awarded for the best floats the wip.Pler being the 'Crown Garage'. Events in the.grounds included a ladies football match, folk dancing by pupils of Walhouse and Heath Hayes School accompanied by the West Hill boy's orchestra. A demonstration was given by Cannock Fire Brigade and the event culminated with dancing in the Horticultural Hall to the Arthur Thomas Orchestra. With money raised from an earlier event that week which was held in the grounds of 'The Limes' in New Penkridge Road over £500 was raised towards the memorial.
Photo provided by Mr M Hewitt
The flower Show Grounds
The grounds which eventually became Cannock Park played an important role during World War One, the following provides a snapshot of the activities which took place in the grounds at that time.
The Cannock Horticultural Society was run by local traders, farmers, residents and representatives of the mining industry, they would hold shows and events in the grounds (which were sub-let from Mr Daniel Lockett). In May 1914 prior to the outbreak of war the grounds were put up for auction, but were later withdrawn due to reasons unknown. The threat of the grounds being sold hung over the Society. When war broke out in August 1914, the Society continued with their efforts to ensure the home of the Show was secure. In July 1914 they had secured an agreement to purchase the grounds for a price of £1,050 and despite the onset of war they decided to look to the future and proceed with the purchase. The Society obtained a loan of £825 from one of its members Mr F.C. Adderley (a local farmer) and in January 1915 the grounds came into the ownership of the Cannock and District Horticultural Society. Their stated ambition was to eventually turn the grounds into a public park. A company was formed under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act. Shilling shares were issued with a yearly subscription of half a crown (2s 6d). Mr W Bach {Treasurer) stated "no individual wanted to derive any benefit out of it" further adding that "when the loan is paid off, they would seek advice on turning the grounds into a park".
Extract from forthcoming 'History of Cannock Park' by the Friends of Cannock Park Association
Sources Cannock Advertiser 1914-22, Cannock Courier 1914- 22, Lichfield Mercury 1914-22
Deeds & Abstract of the title dated January 1915 (kindly provided by Mr M Carr)
