Then & Now - an Edwardian Walk in Stamford Park

A HISTORICAL guided walk of Stamford Park has been developed in a project led by Community Champions working with the council.

‘Then and Now - An Edwardian Walk in Stamford Park’ is the brainchild of Tameside Community and Age Friendly Champion Ken Morris, using his collection of Edwardian postcards featuring the venue. 

It has been designed to share the flagship Tameside park’s culture and history with the community with the added benefits of offering exercise and well being 

The council’s Community Champions Programme and Greenspace Development Team worked with Ken on the project, which involves a guided walk around Stamford Park parts of which are located in both Ashton and Stalybridge.   The walk incorporates eight display boards featuring then postcards and now photographs with informative historical notes.

The walk is accompanied by a booklet explaining the park’s origins and development through detailed maps and images.  There is also a children’s activity sheet, to provide fun as well as education, for families enjoying the walk and park.

The guided walk will be launched  on Wednesday 12 October 2022 11am – 1pm Community Room, Highfield Pavilion, Stamford Park with a welcome and introduction followed by a guided walk with Ken Morris.  All welcome.

Tameside Council Executive Leader Councillor Ged Cooney said  “The park has long been a popular amenity within the local community and it is fantastic to work with the community on this project to record and celebrate the park’s history and cultural story.  I would like to thank Ken for his hard work on this project and for sharing his knowledge and insight so that more people can learn about the park and enjoy its heritage”

Community Champion Ken Morris added “During the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020 Tameside’s Victorian and Edwardian parks were rediscovered by many as a safe place to get out and about.  Each of our parks has a story to tell as to how they have developed into what you see today. As a tribute to my late wife who was a champion of local history, and Stamford Park in particular, I have been able to work with the Community Champions Programme to use a collection of old Edwardian postcards to tell its story by matching the view in the card as it was then with photographs today”

The Community Champions Programme was launched in 2020 to reach out to the Tameside public on all things Health and Wellbeing.  If you wish to join the programme you can register at www.tameside.gov.uk/communitychampions

Following the Launch, Booklets and activity Sheets will be available in the Pavilion Café with downloadable versions available at www.tameside.gov.uk/walking/shorttownwalks