Trifter

GATESHEAD, once the dirty back lane leading to Newcastle upon Tyne has had many new attractions placed there in recent years.  They include the Angel of the North, the Baltic Art Centre and the Sage Music Centre.  However Saltwell Park, the People’s Park which first opened in 1876 has been given a facelift.

The Victorian Park which lies on Saltwell View, just off Durham Road was called the People’s Park because it gave the surrounding community who lived in overcrowded, sub standard housing and worked in hellish conditions in louring factories a chance to enjoy themselves and forget their hardships for a few hours in a large green and pleasant open space.  In short Saltwell Park provided a living, green lung for the depressed neighbourhood.

Saltwell Park is based around Saltwell Towers, built between 1859 and 1852 as the home of William Wailes, a glass designer and maker who began his working life as a Newcastle grocer.  He sold his estate to Gateshead Cooperation for 335,000 (around £1.7million at today’s rates) in 1875 so that they could create Saltwell Park.

However Saltwell Towers was at first to remain a private abode, becoming the home of solicitor Joseph Shipley before being converted into a military convalescence home during the First world War.  It opened as a museum in 1933, finally being closed when the roof had to be removed due to dry rot in 1969.

            The towers, which had been a delightful mixture of Gothic, Elizabethan and French features deteriorated into a roofless and hazardous ruin which spoilt the centre of the park.

Part of the £10million restoration of the park has involved the complete renovation of the stable yard at the rear of the towers, while the interior has had a revamp which has brought it up to date.  A gothic arch at the North Tower reveals a vast expanse of chrome and glass doors and a tile floor which leads to a lift.

“The stairway will feature glass panels created by glass artist Bridget Jones and will lead up to a relaxation area where people will be able to look out over the gardens, just as William Wailes and Joseph Shipley would have done,” said Steve Palmer, the restoration programme manager.

The restored Saltwell Towers will form an information centre and café for the park.

The Victorian Gardens were originally designed by Edward Kemp, possibly the most acclaimed garden designer of his time.  It followed the classical late 19th Century style of appearing to be a series of garden rooms.  People believe that the key to Kemp’s designs is the way in which he allows visitors to see his scheme in so many differing and objectively planned ways.

“The entire park was designed almost as a series of paintings, which changed with the seasons,” continued Mr Palmer.  “But many of the views have been obscured and spoilt.  That is the emphasis of the restoration which obviously takes into account how the buildings looked too.

“So much of what it had originally been has simply disappeared and had been replaced by concrete and planting which had not been thought out.”

Saltwell Park, which is home to 12 listed buildings and is in the register of Historic Parks that is issued by English Heritage has been restored to its former splendour.  Major elements of the work has have been the repair and restoration of all its historical features, the improvement of walkways and the formal gardens and the recreation of the Victorian landscape.

The park, which now has new interpretation facilities to explain its history to visitors, remained open to the public throughout the restoration.  Steve palmer considers that this strategy was worthwhile.

“It would have been incredibly frustrating for people if the park had been closed, because this space is really does form part of the community’s routine and everyday lives.  It is also nice that people have been able to witness the restoration process and watch the day to day development.

“This park, and the restoration of it, lies bang in the centre of cultural importance.  To me, it represents a rich heritage, which forms part of our culture and also provides an outstanding venue for cultural activities and events.

“Parks are designed to be places where people can leave their cares outside the gates and come in simply to absorb the spaces and whatever is going on inside.

“People will really see the full impact of what has been done in the park over the next few years.  We really need a 10 year plan to make sure that what has been achieved does not get corroded or falls by the wayside.

“It would have been a tragedy if this restoration work had not taken place.  However, not keeping up all the hard work which has been done would be even worse.”    

Saltwell Park stages many events during the summer.  Many musical performances, such as brass bands and jazz festivals are held there.  There are also pageants, sports fixtures, boat meetings on the lake and environmental sessions.

The Victorians created town parks for the benefit of the working classes.  These open spaces have gradually fallen into disrepair or been vandalised.  Now parks like the People’s Park of Saltwell are showing how this trend can be reversed.

These living green lungs in the towns and cities are still needed.