‘Omg… what memories of happy times spent there!’
Stamford Park paddling pool in 1980(Image: Tameside Local Studies and Archives)
Photographs of a long-lost children’s oasis have sparked memories of blissful summers in a Greater Manchester park.
Stamford Park on the border of Ashton-under-Lyne and Stalybridge dates back to the Victorian era, opening on July 12, 1873. In the following decades, the park expanded to encompass a reservoir, which became a boating and fishing lake.
However, one of the park’s most loved features, the original Stamford Park paddling pool and fountain, no longer exists. They were once a huge attraction for children and families during the summer months.
At the far end of the pool was a small children’s playground that many people also remember fondly, as well as an animal corner with a variety of birds and animals.
In the past couple of years, nostalgic photos of the paddling pool have been posted to The History of Stalybridge Facebook group, attracting hundreds of reactions and comments.
Christine Dunworth said: “Great photos. Took my children to the park all the time. My son fell in once with all his clothes on and it was a pretty cold day. Had to ring my husband up from a call box to come out of work to get us home for warmth lol. He never mucked about again”.
Lisa Garlick said: “Such lovely memories of us paddling away for hours in that pool when summer lasted forever”.
While tagging her friends, Katherine Clark posted: “Remember those long summer days here?”
Marian Timpson said she “Loved it in Stamford Park,” adding: “It was our playground. We were so lucky to live near to the park.”
Lee Stafford said: “Memories – my ‘oh so old nanny’ probably in her 50’s, sat on her deck chair in the shade while me and my two brothers played in the pool. 99’s for the parents and a rocket lolly each for us.”
Stamford Park paddling pool. C 1960s(Image: Tameside Local Studies and Archives)
Another feature of the park that many remembered was the “lethal” metal slide in the play area that had burned many a backside on a hot day.
Remembering the “steel slide of doom”, Christina Longden said: “If you didn’t smash your face in at the bottom (thanks to the top speeds you reached whilst wearing nylon) you’d get third degree burns from the slide itself.”
Barbara Lawley agreed, but she had an ingenious way of making the slide even more hair-raising.
She said: “On a hot day that steel slide was lethal however it didn’t stop my friends and I smuggling the waxed wrapping from Mothers Pride sliced bread. My goodness didn’t that make being fly.”
While Sarah-Jane Oliver posted: “Loved Stamford Park as a kid. Lots of happy memories of that rocking horse and slide. Lethal!!! Hated the roundabout. Made me sick and it still does to this day, lol”.
Photographs and home videos show that the original paddling pool was still a feature of Stamford Park in the 1990s. However, at some point it was filled in with the area now said to be popular with children on skateboards and rollerblades.
These days, Stamford Park still has its attractions for water lovers, including the original boating lake, and splash area with water fountains.
But many still prefer the paddling pool they remembered during their youths. As Anne Lucas succinctly put it – “Omg..what memories of happy times spent there!”
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