East End Life are inviting RESIDENTS to name a new gate on Victoria Park (see text and link below)
Despite lobbying at an early stage the Park was never adopted as a "Royal Park" and is administered by Tower Hamlets (a London Borough - if your outside London). Mayor Lutfur Rahman refers to royal links in announcing the opportunity to name a gate - but in truth there are few. Much more significant was the use of the park, and its predecessor open space Bonner's Fields as an area for debate and public meetings. Most significant of all was a meeting in 1848 that united radical Chartists (calling for the vote) and Irish nationalists. This huge meeting was broken up with considerable force by the police, with military reserves.
Police violence prompted questions in an unreformed House of Commons Click for hansard report
Make your mark to land a place in park history
Despite lobbying at an early stage the Park was never adopted as a "Royal Park" and is administered by Tower Hamlets (a London Borough - if your outside London). Mayor Lutfur Rahman refers to royal links in announcing the opportunity to name a gate - but in truth there are few. Much more significant was the use of the park, and its predecessor open space Bonner's Fields as an area for debate and public meetings. Most significant of all was a meeting in 1848 that united radical Chartists (calling for the vote) and Irish nationalists. This huge meeting was broken up with considerable force by the police, with military reserves.
Ernest Jones was arrested and subsequently condemned to 2 years solitary confinement for sedition, attending an unlawful assembly, and a riot, at Bishop Bonner's Fields. The words he was condemned for were, "Only organise, and you will see the green flag floating over Downing Street; let that be accomplished, and John Mitchell shall be brought back again to his native country, and Sir G. Grey and Lord John Russell shall be sent out to exchange places with him."
Please suggest the "Ernest Jones Gate" for Vicky Park to Tower Hamlets email your suggestions to dave.hime@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Police violence prompted questions in an unreformed House of Commons Click for hansard report
Make your mark to land a place in park history
RESIDENTS can leave their mark in history by naming a new feature at Victoria Park.
The council, Big Lottery Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund have secured £12 million to carry out an extensive programme of improvements to the park. They include a new community centre, a new island to house a Chinese pagoda, two attractive bridges leading to the island, improvements to the play areas and a makeover of the Old English Garden.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman visited the park to unveil the newly-refurbished Canal Gate and laid the final glass slab of the Jubilee Greenway Walk, a route that starts in the park and links the Olympic Park with other heritage sites and parks. It is intended to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
Mayor Rahman also launched a competition to name a new entrance in Grove Road. The park currently has 31 gates which are named after famous people, local landmarks or have a royal connection – for example Royal, Crown, Queens, Bonner, St Augustine’s, St Mark’s, St Agnes and Gunmakers.
Mayor Rahman said: “Victoria Park has a rich history ranging from its role as the People’s Park hosting political meetings and rallies to recreation, live music and sport and will be playing a key role in the Olympics as a live site. The competition is a chance to find a unique name which pays homage to the popular park and its royal links. It is the borough’s royal links and distinctive history, which marks it out as a leading contender to be the UK’s next city.”
Tower Hamlets is bidding for city status as part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
To enter the competition email your suggestions to dave.hime@towerhamlets.gov.uk or by post to Victoria Park, St Mark’s Office, Cadogan Terrace, E9 5DU by September 16.
