Albert Park
Garden In Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
People’s Park created in the Victorian era with fine features.
Hmm, what should a grand Victorian Park contain? Well, here's the tick list for Albert Park (not the one in Melbourne if you are a F1 fan), Middlesbrough.
Lovely tree-lined avenues? Tick
Water fountain? Tick
Bandstand? Tick
Lake? Tick
Sundial? Tick
More adornments and monuments have been added over the years. Lets take a stroll around the grounds. At the entrance on Linthorpe Road, there is plenty to entice you in. The Dorman Museum and memorial to Company Sergeant Major Hollis are just for starters. The Cenotaph that stands near the gates is a colossus marking the two world wars. It is made from Aberdeen grey granite with an ashlar finish and stands in front of a commemorative wall with bronze tablets.
The tall memorial clock was gifted to the people circa 1900 by Thomas Sanderson, who started the clock on 28th August 1900, and two years later, he paid for a striking mechanism. Unfortunately, it no longer appears to work. It is made partly from cast iron, and it may have been painted the fashionable green of the time. Have a look at the ornate detail.
The park was opened in 1868 and was donated to the people for recreation by Henry Bolckow (1806 to 1878), a local industrialist. William Barratt designed the layout, who also happened to have a garden nursery, was able to supply the plants and trees. The chestnut tree avenue must look glorious in most seasons, and I assume they are from that era.
There is a caged bust of Henry near the entrance.
There is a Russian cannon, which was seized by British soldiers during the Crimean War at the Siege of Sebastopol (1854/55). When it arrived here in 1858, it was located by the lake, which was appropriately called Cannon Lake. It has been moved around a bit, and this is now its current resting place.
The sundial is a wonder, and it is delightful to peruse all the details. It should still work on a sunny day.
The dial at the West entrance of the park has mottoes that read: "First the hour then the day, Time by moments steals away", "Tempus Edax Rerum", "Therefore boast not thyself of tomorrow for on thine eyelids is the shadow of death", "The watchman by hand and fingers says the morning cometh and also the light". Also Greek and Hebrew mottoes, an eight line paraphrase of Psalm XIX by the poet Addison, and an inscription. History of Middlesbrough, Chap XVIII. Time in New York, Australia and Middlesbrough. Date later confirmed as 1876. ref Gatty. John Smith's earlier dial to a simpler version of this design is at Halifax, see SRN 7508.
The British Sundial Society
The fountain is centre stage, but alas, no longer flows. There are golden pelicans, a favourite of this era, depicting piety. The bird is pecking its breast to draw blood to feed its young. It is symbolising Jesus giving his blood to save mankind. However, pelicans do not do this in reality and the myth could be due to some having red beaks or some having a red breast during the breeding season.
We didn't get as far as the lake and see some of the other installations, so it will require another pleasant visit.
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How To Find Albert Park
Where To Park For Albert Park?
Parking outside park available.
Contributed by Rosalind Parker
Thank you for reading. I hope it sparks your interest. It’s always a pleasure to get out and explore, whatever the weather. I enjoy uncovering little snippets of information, especially when they’re obscure, amusing, or meaningful. All photos were taken on a mobile phone.
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