The History of Fog Lane Park - What shall we call the park?

By the beginning of 1928, the laying-out of the park was progressing rapidly and it was time to think about construction of the buildings. At the meeting on 9 December 1927 Tom Fox, the Chairman of the Parks and Cemeteries Committee, reported that as the park was being opened to the public in the spring, it would be necessary to provide conveniences and £1,300 had been set aside for the work. The City Architect had submitted plans for a set of conveniences to be erected comprising the following accommodation:

‘Six W. Cs and 8 Urinal stalls for men

Six W. Cs and Urinette for women.

The buildings are proposed to be erected in common brick with glazed brick lining on the inside. The floors are to be in concrete, and the roofs slated.’

The City Architect estimated that the cost would be £1,150.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

I had never heard of ‘urinettes’, but on looking this up, found that they were an experimental idea introduced in London in the early years of the 20th century. They were smaller than standard water closets, sometimes separated by curtains rather than doors, and allowed women to relieve themselves quickly without fully sitting. However, these early trials were widely discontinued after user complaints about privacy and cleanliness. I doubt that they were ever installed, but it does show that Manchester was leading the way with the latest ideas.

Twelve companies submitted tenders for the work, which was given to Mosley Construction Co. Ltd, Manchester in July 1928. They had submitted the lowest tender of £846 ‘subject to the references being found to be satisfactory’ However, at the next meeting on 3 August 1928, the tender was rejected and instead it went to the second lowest bid, Mr Arthur Fenton of Manchester for £859.

At the same meeting in July 1928 plans were also submitted for a combined Bowlhouse and Tennis Pavilion which would contain:

‘two shelters, one facing the tennis grounds and the other the bowling green. In connection with the tennis a gentlemen’s dressing room is provided, 19ft. 6ins. by 12 ft. with a square bay window, and also a ladies’ dressing room of the same size, but with two W. Cs. The Bowlhouse contains a lavatory, which can be used in connection with both tennis and bowls for gentlemen, and an attendant’s room, with bowl cupboards.’

The City Architect estimated the cost of the pavilion at £2,600.

Image courtesy of Manchester Libraries

At the same meeting, designs were submitted for the bandstand, estimated cost £500, and also two small shelters, each 24 ft. by 20ft. with suitable seating accommodation at a cost of £400 each.

At the meeting on 8 June 1928, Mr Pettigrew, the General Superintendent:

‘begs to draw the attention of your Committee to the fact that so far the two most recent additions to your Public Parks in the Withington and Chorlton districts have not had any official names bestowed upon them.

Since the date of their first acquisition they have been known as Fog Lane Park and Chorlton Park respectively, and the question arises as to whether or not you desire to perpetuate these or give them entirely new names.

The general Superintendent is of the opinion that as the two parks have now become exceedingly popular places of resort, some definite decision might be arrived at on this matter.’

It was quickly decided that the park in Chorlton should be called Chorlton Park, but things were not so straightforward when it came to Fog Lane Park:

‘Motion made:

That the new park in Withington be named ‘Fog Lane Park.

1st Amendment moved:

That the new park in Withington be named ‘Withington Park’

The first amendment having been put, the Chairman declared the same to have been negatived.

2nd Amendment moved:

That the new park in Withington be named ‘Lapwing Park’

The second amendment having been put, the Chairman declared the same to have been negatived.

3rd Amendment moved:

That this matter be adjourned for further consideration.

The third amendment having been put, the Chairman declared the same to have been negatived, and the motion having been put, it was

Resolved:

That the new park in Withington be named ‘Fog-Lane Park.’

So, Fog Lane Park it was.

At the same meeting, it was decided that Fog Lane Park should be classified as a 1st Class Park. They also looked at the pay grade of the Head Gardener and decided that:

‘the Head Gardener be graded as coming within the category designated as “Other Staffs” Section “A”. As the Head Gardener has been in charge of the laying out of the Park for the past two and a half years he suggests that their wage start at the figure of £4. 10. 0. in this grade, which, for the time being, means a reduction of 2/9d per week in their income, but, on the other hand, gives them a definite status.’

I’m not sure whether the Head Gardener would have seen it in the same way.

Image courtesy of Manchester Libraries