Huddersfield Daily Chronicle (01/Jun/1880) - Scraps and Hints: Beaumont Park
The Chronicle later printed a letter in response to this article.
SCRAPS AND HINTS
The first sod of the Beaumont Park was cut on Saturday afternoon by the wife of the generous donor. All who attended the place for the first time must have been struck with the fitness of the ground for a park. The only objection at present is its distance from the town but, with the aid of the railway and the projected tramways the park should be brought close to the people's doors. Rounday Park, Leeds, and Peel Park, Bradford, are not so accessible as the Beaumont Park, and we have little doubt than when roads have been laid down, and the skill of the landscape gardener has embellished the spot, it will be a favourite resort of our artisans and their wives and children. Judging from Saturday's speeches, the Corporation is very much obliged to Mr. Beaumont for his gift, and Mr. Beaumont, so far from thinking that he has placed the town of Huddersfield under an obligation, is pleased to feel that his generosity is appreciated. A connoisseur of demonstrations could find abundant material for criticism in the proceedings of Saturday. The Yeomanry and Volunteers took their part with imposing military pomp, but the Corporation went to the park in a very slouching fashion. a veteran police officer bore the mace, but there was nothing to distinguish aldermen and town councillors from the general public. Some went in batches in waggonettes, others drove their own conveyances, hired cabs did the locomotion for others. Then, manufacturers of teetotal liquors accompanied by trade vehicles came upon the scene. The Friendly Societies made a miserable exhibition. Was it that having made provision for sickness they did not care to show their appreciation of a movement for preserving the public health? The inhabitants generally were also indifferent about the demonstration. A flag or a piece of bunting was a rare sight. Huddersfield might have had a park given every year, so undemonstrative were the mass of the people. However, all's well that ends well, and despite the blockade and capture of the select enclosure in the park, the proceedings on Saturday ended well. The speeches were in good taste, suggestive, and to the point. Mr. Beaumont and the Corporation were on good terms, and both being of one way of thinking as to the respective merits of Liberalism and Conservatism, avoided party politics with an amount of effort and skill that did them both credit. Master Beaumont, who was present, won golden opinions for himself, and it is possible that a long time hence he may figure somewhat prominently in the future life of Huddersfield.