Warminster town park centenary event sees packed crowd

The town council organised two tribute bands performing on the town park bandstand as well as displays by the model boat club, fairground rides and stalls.

The ticket-only event was sold out and it is estimated that around 3,000 people attended the Lake Pleasure Grounds celebrations.

The man-made lake at the town park was dug out by hand by unemployed men following the First World War to give them work in the depression that followed.

Andrew Davis wears a flat cap in memory of his grandfather Arthur Charles Davis who attended the original opening of the Lake Pleasure Grounds. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Among them was Arthur Charles Davis, the grandfather of current Warminster town councillor Andrew Davis.

Cllr Davis said: “I wore a flat cap to the celebrations in honour of my grandfather, who was wearing one at the original opening 100 years ago.”

Andrew Davis’s grandfather Arthur Charles Davis who attended the 1924 opening of the Lake Pleasure Grounds wearing a flat cap.  (Image: Trevor Porter)

The park was originally opened by Longleat House owner Thomas Thynne, the 5th Marquess of Bath, on July 26 1924. It was built on a former rubbish tip.

The centenary celebrations ended just after 9pm with an aerial fireworks display from Airborne Pyrotechnics planes to light up the sky at the event’s climax on Friday, July 26.

Warminster Mayor Cllr Stacie Allensby officially opened the centenary celebrations at the Lake Pleasure Grounds 100 years to the day the park first opened. (Image: Trevor Porter)

Warminster mayor, Cllr Stacie Allensby, welcomed visitors to the special celebrations, saying “This park has been at the heart of the town for a century.

“People have grown up with the park, they bring their children to the park and then they bring the grandchildren to the park. It is a special place the people love to visit.

“It is an amazing asset. It can be a hive of activity and yet an oasis of calm.”

The celebrations opened with a performance from the Elton John tribute band Forever Elton and then the Beatles with an A, wowing the crowd.

Cllr Allensby added: “Everyone had a fantastic time, singing along and dancing. Airborne Pyrotechnics were a wonderful finale to a brilliant event. We will remember this.

“Not forgetting the model boat club, fairground stalls, food and drink vendors, security, town council staff and the Warminster public for making the event such a super success.”

Cllr Stacie Allensby added: “This just goes to show what love and affection there is for the Lake Pleasure Grounds and how much it is appreciated.

“What a way to celebrate this wonderful space, 100 years to the day that it opened. Thank you so much for supporting the event.”