PURSTON HALL AND PARK
It is not known when Thomas Hall bought the land now known as Purston Park and built a house on it originally known as Purston Lodge. It is not mentioned in a gazetteer for 1822 but it is listed as Purston Lodge in one for 1838 with the owner Thomas Hall Jnr.
In the 1841 Census Thomas Hall is a gentleman (of private means) age 49. In 1851 he is described as a West Riding JP age 58 and a widower born at Castleford. (Note: some references say he came from Worsborough Dale.)
This 1849 Ordnance Survey map shows the extent of the estate from Hall Street to Girnhill Lane. It also shows the lodge built at the entrance to the estate at the junction of Hall Street and Ackworth Road. The photo of the lodge is by Dr J Gatecliff.
Thomas Hall's son the Revd Thomas Hepworth Hall married Elizabeth Craven in 1857. The wedding is registered in Halifax where she was born, but the 1861 Post Office Guide names him as the owner of Purston Lodge after Thomas Hall died in 1857.
Revd Hall added a large extension to the lodge in 1863 and it became known as Purston Hall but he did not enjoy it long because he committed suicide in a hotel in Scarborough in 1871. His age was given as 45. His wife remained in Purston and gave £1,000 to the building fund for Purston Church in 1875. She had another lodge built at the Girnhill Lane end of the estate in 1887. Her initials were put over the door. Now there were two lodges, the new one was called the South Lodge, and the original one was called the North Lodge. A personal photo of the South Lodge.
Revd Hall added a large extension to the lodge in 1863 and it became known as Purston Hall but he did not enjoy it long because he committed suicide in a hotel in Scarborough in 1871. His age was given as 45. His wife remained in Purston and gave £1,000 to the building fund for Purston Church in 1875. She had another lodge built at the Girnhill Lane end of the estate in 1887. Her initials were put over the door. Now there were two lodges, the new one was called the South Lodge, and the original one was called the North Lodge. A personal photo of the South Lodge.
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This postcard shows the original frontage of Purston Lodge with the extension on the back. The extension on the left is hidden by the shrubbery. The photo of the plaque on the rear extension is a personal one.
In 1880 she gave a ball at the hall to celebrate her son Percy Craven Hall's 21st birthday. There were about 60 of the surrounding gentry present, and their coachmen and servants were entertained at the Junction Hotel.
This Frith postcard shows the drive used by the coaches to get from Ackworth Road to the hall.
At one time in its history ivy was grown round most of the hall as this postcard shows.
In the1891 Census only Elizabeth and son Percy plus servants lived in the hall. Elizabeth died a few months after the Census. She had wiped off the debt on Purston Parish Church and had helped with the costs of choirmaster and organist and the annual choir outing and Christmas treat. Many Purston and Featherstone folk turned out for the funeral and the shops closed at that time. Her son, Percy Hall took over as owner of Purston Hall.
Percy Hall moved out and the property was rented. A directory for 1897 names Captain William Moore Wood as being in residence. The 1901 Census gives his occupation as a Whitwood colliery proprietor and his wife Dorothea and daughters Dorothea and Evelyn were living with him. In 1903 he left and Captain John Reginald Shaw took over. He was the owner of Featherstone Main Colliery. The photos of Captain and Mrs Shaw are from the Wakefield Library Collection.
Percy Hall moved out and the property was rented. A directory for 1897 names Captain William Moore Wood as being in residence. The 1901 Census gives his occupation as a Whitwood colliery proprietor and his wife Dorothea and daughters Dorothea and Evelyn were living with him. In 1903 he left and Captain John Reginald Shaw took over. He was the owner of Featherstone Main Colliery. The photos of Captain and Mrs Shaw are from the Wakefield Library Collection.
The Shaws allowed the grounds to be used for charity occasions and school functions. This postcard shows a typical Hospital Sunday gathering.
By the time of the 1911 Census John Shaw had moved on and Joshua Lister Ingham, a Horbury colliery proprietor, was in the hall with his wife Violet and son Edward.
In 1919 a public meeting was held to discuss a war memorial. One suggestion was a public park. Cr E Edwards said Purston Hall and 26 acres of land was on the market. The grounds could be made into a park and the hall into a YMCA institute. Cr P Darlington said a park could be left to the Council whose duty it was to provide one.
Later in the year the hall and grounds were offered to the Council for £4,000 plus legal fees. The present tenant, Mr W H Charlesworth, said he would prefer to remain in the hall until his lease was up, but if the Council bought the estate he would try to find suitable accommodation elsewhere.
In 1920 the Ministry of Health held a public inquiry into the purchase and later agreed to the Council borrowing the purchase money, but said it could not come from the Public Works Loans Board. The Council asked Barclays Bank to loan the money but they declined.
At a Council meeting Cr T Ryan said Lord Masham could be asked to add one more to his list of benefactions by making the town a gift of the hall and park which could be called Masham Park or Lister Park. Cr R Holiday said was His Lordship's policy to help those who helped themselves. It was not fair for one side to be asked to do it all.
The Council tried other sources for the money including the Leeds Permanent Building Society but without success so the matter was dropped.
In 1922 at a Council meeting Cr E Evans said the district was to have a grant of £5,000 from the Miners' Welfare Fund to purchase the Assembly Rooms. He claimed the workers at the three collieries were against this and Purston Hall Estate should be purchased for £4,000 leaving Snydale Colliery to decide what to do with the other £1,000. He was ruled out of order by the chairman Cr Holiday who said they could not discuss the Welfare Fund.
At the May 1925 Council meeting Cr Edwards said he regretted Purston Hall estate had been allowed to fall into the hands of Tommy Sides (He paid £2,750). The Council had made a very big mistake in allowing it to slip through their hands; it was one of the worst things which could have happened. Now they had lost their only chance of acquiring the estate for a public park.
Cr Evans pointed out they had never refused to buy. They were unanimous in favour of purchasing. The only question was how were they to get the money? The Council would have proceeded but failed to find a lender.
Cr Edwards said the estate should have been bought by the Miners' Welfare Fund. It could have been got for just over £3,000, whereas they had paid £10,000 for an institute. Cr B Dakin replied if the welfare scheme continued for another five years there would be something as healthy for Featherstone folk as the Purston Hall scheme, but he was not at liberty to say more at present.
The estate was put up for auction in 1927 but there was no interest from buyers. Only two bids of £1,200 and £2000 were made and the estate was withdrawn from sale.
Cr Darlington opposed the proposal to buy the estate. He said the financial position of the Council was such they could not afford the purchase. Could not the Welfare Committee make provision for recreation? The miners contributed to the Welfare Fund, and it was not fair they should also have to pay through the rates for facilities which might be provided from the fund.
Cr A Sharratt said the matter had been fully discussed in committee, and he thought they all agreed the time was over-ripe for a public park. The money could be borrowed on a 30 years' lease. The welfare committee had not at present sufficient money to develop the schemes already approved.
Cr J Rodgers said if they could get the estate for their offer they would be doing very well. If they got the money to be repaid in 30 years, the principal and interest repayment would amount to a rate of 1d, and the benefit derived would be well worth it. Purston Hall was one of the most beautiful parks in the district and would help the children to develop a love of nature. Nobody would second Cr Darlington so the proposal stood.
After lengthy negotiations, finally in July Tommy Sides accepted £3,600. The permission of the Ministry of Health would have to be obtained, but it was considered as there had already been a public inquiry this would be forthcoming. In September the Ministry of Health gave permission for the Council to borrow the money.
The Council opened negotiations with the Public Works Loans Board, but then the West Riding Superannuation Joint Committee offered to lend the full amount at 5% interest. In October the Council decided to accept that offer and not proceed with the Public Works Loan Board.
The seal of the Council was affixed to the purchase in December and arrangements were made with the tenants of the hall and park. Mr Hughs was requested to move his haystacks before the end of next January. The photo of Tommy Sides is from the Wakefield Libraries Collection.
Four months after the purchase this advert was put in the Express.
The public entered the park via a new entrance to the drive erected by the Council. The photo is a Frith postcard.
In 1919 a public meeting was held to discuss a war memorial. One suggestion was a public park. Cr E Edwards said Purston Hall and 26 acres of land was on the market. The grounds could be made into a park and the hall into a YMCA institute. Cr P Darlington said a park could be left to the Council whose duty it was to provide one.
Later in the year the hall and grounds were offered to the Council for £4,000 plus legal fees. The present tenant, Mr W H Charlesworth, said he would prefer to remain in the hall until his lease was up, but if the Council bought the estate he would try to find suitable accommodation elsewhere.
In 1920 the Ministry of Health held a public inquiry into the purchase and later agreed to the Council borrowing the purchase money, but said it could not come from the Public Works Loans Board. The Council asked Barclays Bank to loan the money but they declined.
At a Council meeting Cr T Ryan said Lord Masham could be asked to add one more to his list of benefactions by making the town a gift of the hall and park which could be called Masham Park or Lister Park. Cr R Holiday said was His Lordship's policy to help those who helped themselves. It was not fair for one side to be asked to do it all.
The Council tried other sources for the money including the Leeds Permanent Building Society but without success so the matter was dropped.
In 1922 at a Council meeting Cr E Evans said the district was to have a grant of £5,000 from the Miners' Welfare Fund to purchase the Assembly Rooms. He claimed the workers at the three collieries were against this and Purston Hall Estate should be purchased for £4,000 leaving Snydale Colliery to decide what to do with the other £1,000. He was ruled out of order by the chairman Cr Holiday who said they could not discuss the Welfare Fund.
At the May 1925 Council meeting Cr Edwards said he regretted Purston Hall estate had been allowed to fall into the hands of Tommy Sides (He paid £2,750). The Council had made a very big mistake in allowing it to slip through their hands; it was one of the worst things which could have happened. Now they had lost their only chance of acquiring the estate for a public park.
Cr Evans pointed out they had never refused to buy. They were unanimous in favour of purchasing. The only question was how were they to get the money? The Council would have proceeded but failed to find a lender.
Cr Edwards said the estate should have been bought by the Miners' Welfare Fund. It could have been got for just over £3,000, whereas they had paid £10,000 for an institute. Cr B Dakin replied if the welfare scheme continued for another five years there would be something as healthy for Featherstone folk as the Purston Hall scheme, but he was not at liberty to say more at present.
The estate was put up for auction in 1927 but there was no interest from buyers. Only two bids of £1,200 and £2000 were made and the estate was withdrawn from sale.
The Council revealed in January 1930 they had held talks with Tommy Sides about its possible purchase by the
Council. No details were given but the Council decided to ask Normanton
Council the cost of the upkeep of their park.
Cr Edwards asked at the February meeting if the Council were definitely
pledged to purchase the Purston Hall Estate. The clerk replied the
purchase depended upon the price asked, and the consent of the
authorities. At the March meeting it was announced Tommy Sides had asked
for £4,300 for the Purston Park Estate, and the Council had offered
£3,500 after receiving the district valuer's report.Cr Darlington opposed the proposal to buy the estate. He said the financial position of the Council was such they could not afford the purchase. Could not the Welfare Committee make provision for recreation? The miners contributed to the Welfare Fund, and it was not fair they should also have to pay through the rates for facilities which might be provided from the fund.
Cr A Sharratt said the matter had been fully discussed in committee, and he thought they all agreed the time was over-ripe for a public park. The money could be borrowed on a 30 years' lease. The welfare committee had not at present sufficient money to develop the schemes already approved.
Cr J Rodgers said if they could get the estate for their offer they would be doing very well. If they got the money to be repaid in 30 years, the principal and interest repayment would amount to a rate of 1d, and the benefit derived would be well worth it. Purston Hall was one of the most beautiful parks in the district and would help the children to develop a love of nature. Nobody would second Cr Darlington so the proposal stood.
After lengthy negotiations, finally in July Tommy Sides accepted £3,600. The permission of the Ministry of Health would have to be obtained, but it was considered as there had already been a public inquiry this would be forthcoming. In September the Ministry of Health gave permission for the Council to borrow the money.
The Council opened negotiations with the Public Works Loans Board, but then the West Riding Superannuation Joint Committee offered to lend the full amount at 5% interest. In October the Council decided to accept that offer and not proceed with the Public Works Loan Board.
The seal of the Council was affixed to the purchase in December and arrangements were made with the tenants of the hall and park. Mr Hughs was requested to move his haystacks before the end of next January. The photo of Tommy Sides is from the Wakefield Libraries Collection.
In 1933 the Council decided to install a playground for children. The Carnegie UK Trustees donated £60 and the National Playing Fields Association £20 towards the estimated cost of £500. When it was opened the Council found it attracted more than children and the police were asked to prevent adults using the apparatus. It was decided to fence it off and lock the apparatus at night to prevent abuse. There were several pieces of apparatus. This photo from the Council's 1951 souvenir programme shows four of them. The one in the middle was called the "umbrella". The close up of the slide is also from the programme.
There were safety swings for young children and ordinary for those who were older. The first photo was uploaded to Featherstone Bygone Days by Margie Marsh, and the second one by Deb Howell.
More elaborate apparatus included the "zigzag". Photo uploaded to Featherstone Bygone Days by Keith Galey.
Another popular one was the "banana". This is not Purston Park, but one identical to this was installed. Photo - Getty Images.
The bowling green. A Frith postcard.
When the war started in 1939 there was a move to have public land ploughed for food production. The Council was not in favour, but in the summer of 1940 they were persuaded by the West Riding Agricultural Committee it was the right thing to do. With most of the park lost for the public it was decided to allow anyone into the children's play area on Sundays but the apparatus would be locked.
To aid the recovery from the war the Government decided to have a Festival of Britain and urged all local authorities to undertake some activity or project. The Council decided to develop Purston Park. A scheme was drawn up in 1950 by Mr H Tattersall, clerk to the Council, and work commenced in June that year until May 1951.
In those eleven months over a quarter-mile of pathways were laid, a boating lake constructed, a miniature golf course formed together with a public shelter, lily pond, fountain and new entrance. A rose garden was also started. A souvenir programme was printed for the official opening on 14 May 1951.
The boating lake. A Frith postcard.
The water in the lake was only two feet deep so it was safe for older children. Photo uploaded to Featherstone Bygone Days by Stephen Marsh.
The boathouse and boats. Photo uploaded to Facebook's Featherstone Bygone Days by Janet Oxley.
The original fountain. Photo from Facebook's Purston Park Group.
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| The rose garden. A Frith postcard. |
In June 1951 the Council decided to make the hall into a civic centre and hold their meetings there. It was decided to change the name to the Town Hall. The photo is a Frith postcard.
There were accidents on the slide, Mainly due to children climbing up the slide instead of the steps. Inevitably some fell off. The council put a safety mesh round the slide in 1951 to stop this. This can be seen in this photo uploaded to Featherstone Bygone Days by Margie Marsh.
In 1956 the Council decided to replace the fountain. The photo of the new one is a Frith Postcard.
There was a putting green in 1963. Photo - Remembering Purston Jaglin, Featherstone, North Featherstone and Ackton Facebook page.
After the Gala for the opening of the revamped park in 1951, the Council decided to have an annual one. It didn't always have a Gala Queen or parade or fun fair and occasionally was held over two days. The band photo is from Facebook's Purston Park Group, and the second is from Featherstone Bygone Days.
The Covid pandemic caused a three year break in the Gala. it resumed in 2022 with a military band and a bigger thrill for the youngsters. Photos - personal.
In 1974 the hall and park became part of the assets of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. The park began to show its age and vandalism began to take its toll. Over time many things were removed or altered. The pergola at the 1951 entrance was removed, the boats were taken away and the boat house demolished; the fountain and lily pond were filled in, the pitch and put and the rose garden were abandoned, and the tennis area was changed to a five a side pitch and then a skateboard area. Photo - personal.
The bowling green, a constant target for vandals, was replaced by a new area for roses in 2004. The photos are personal.
In the 1980s the children's play area was moved again to near where the rose garden used to be. Photo - Bill Henderson.
One favourite piece of apparatus was a helter skelter (behind the ice cream van), but as with the original slide, there were accidents so it was dismantled and replaced with a large safer slide, seen in the background of the second photo. All three photos - personal.
Featherstone Parish Council moved back to the original council offices in Wakefield Road and Wakefield MDC sold the hall to a Yorkshire businessman in 2003 to be converted into flats. A fire in 2004 burnt out the roof and much of the interior.
The hall after the fire. Photo - Facebook Purston Park Group.
The north side of the hall after the conversion. A personal photo.
The park was beginning to look in need of some TLC so in 2014 a group of people decided to make a difference and called themselves the Purston Park Group. In their first two year they provided more seats and litter bins, tidied the flower beds and planted new shrubs and flowers. Their Facebook page included this photo of the disused fountain and lily pond, which is a good example of their work.
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Ducks as well as people enjoyed the park. A Purston Park Group photo.
In 2017 Wakefield MDC had a campaign to stop smoking in children's play areas. This photo from the Council's website shown the placard in Purston Park with Cr Pat Garbutt and competition winner Kitty Simpson who did the design.
Travellers invaded the park in 2021. After the necessary legal means to get rid of them, preventative measures were taken to stop a return. The photo of the travellers camp is by Paul Clarkson.
A steel gate and two large tree trunks were installed to prevent access via the south end car park, and large boulders were placed at another possible access point. The drive at the north entrance was also protected with boulders. Photos - personal.
In 2021 Featherstone Council decided to reinstall the fountain. It was soon vandalised. The photo of the restored fountain is personal. That showing the damage is by Steven Marsh.
The damaged one was replaced by a much stronger one in 2022. Photo - personal.
The children's playground was rebuilt with a more adventurous one in 2022. The large slide was retained. All the photos are personal.
The old changing rooms were altered to a social place for veterans in 2022. Photo - Phil Richards (Featherstone Bygone Days).
Photo - personal 2022.
A new skateboard area was installed by Axo Leisure on the same site as the old one in 2024. Photo - Axo.
