2017 - Centenery Year of John Leigh Park
Next year is the centenary of the park. We plan to organise celebrations of this. It will be wonderful if people will share their knowledge, memories and feelings about the park. In addition if we could borrow photographs that will be very helpful – we will produce a review with acknowledgements
The history of John Leigh Park
In 1916 after many years of being left empty Oldfield Hall was pulled down. At this time the district council had considered purchasing the land and utilising it for housing. Deterred by the cost they hesitated in coming to a final decision. The future of the land mainly came down to the generosity of Mr John Leigh of Beech Lawn, Altrincham. Who in 1917 purchased the land and presented it to the council as a district park. The council accepted the gift and now had the land in which Oldfield Hall was once situated renamed John Leigh Park.
Do you have any fond memories, photos or information about the history of John Leigh Park? If so please Contact us here.
Do you have any fond memories, photos or information about the history of John Leigh Park? If so please Contact us here.
Article from the Altrincham Guardian dated 29th October 1915
Oldfield Hall is in the hands of the house-breakers, to whom it has been sold for demolition. The fate of the fine old place is irrevocably sealed, and in a few weeks’ time not one stone will remain or another to mark the spot on which it has stood for a century. The hall has no historic interest, and its removal on that account will not cause much regret. It is merely significant of the change that is passing over the whole district.
There was a “hall” at Oldfield in 1669, and Sir Peter Leycester, who wrote about it at that time, refers to it as belonging to Robert Parker. It was then described as the most valuable property in Altrincham. There were successive changes of ownership, and the estate in 1818 was owned by Mr. William Rigby, by whom the hall was rebuilt in stone, and laid out in the midst of smooth lawns. Mr E. J. Lloyd who gave us Lloyd’s hospital, lived in it at a later period, and he was followed by the late Mr. John Allen, who dwelt at Oldfield for many years.
On Mr. Allen’s death the hall and grounds were purchased by the late Mr. J. G. Groves, but he fled soon after the Linotype Company acquired possession of the outlying meadows, and reared their tall chimney there. The Earl of Stamford bought the property from Mr. Groves, and since then the hall has been untenanted. A portion of the land has already been built upon, but the use to which the vacant parts will be put has not yet been determined.
Oldfield Hall is in the hands of the house-breakers, to whom it has been sold for demolition. The fate of the fine old place is irrevocably sealed, and in a few weeks’ time not one stone will remain or another to mark the spot on which it has stood for a century. The hall has no historic interest, and its removal on that account will not cause much regret. It is merely significant of the change that is passing over the whole district.
There was a “hall” at Oldfield in 1669, and Sir Peter Leycester, who wrote about it at that time, refers to it as belonging to Robert Parker. It was then described as the most valuable property in Altrincham. There were successive changes of ownership, and the estate in 1818 was owned by Mr. William Rigby, by whom the hall was rebuilt in stone, and laid out in the midst of smooth lawns. Mr E. J. Lloyd who gave us Lloyd’s hospital, lived in it at a later period, and he was followed by the late Mr. John Allen, who dwelt at Oldfield for many years.
On Mr. Allen’s death the hall and grounds were purchased by the late Mr. J. G. Groves, but he fled soon after the Linotype Company acquired possession of the outlying meadows, and reared their tall chimney there. The Earl of Stamford bought the property from Mr. Groves, and since then the hall has been untenanted. A portion of the land has already been built upon, but the use to which the vacant parts will be put has not yet been determined.
