Silsden Park Timeline
1927
Playing Field Association formed
Before its creation, Silsden lacked adequate public recreational spaces, a concern amplified by increasing traffic and a tragic road death in 1914 that spurred calls for safer play areas for children. After being denied funding by national and local government, the Playing Fields Association, a volunteer-led group, raised enough money over five years to purchase over eight acres of agricultural land.
1933
20 Jan 1933, Deed of Conveyance signed for The Old Shooting Croft.
The Old Shooting Croft bought from Veteripoint Estates Ltd for £12.560 (equivalent to £1.5m in today’s money)
1934
Mr Richard Fletcher cut the first sod (2nd February 1934) and opened Silsden Playing Fields with HRH Princess Royal
The park’s development began in February 1934, when mill owner Richard Fletcher and three-year-old Vera Cockshott ceremonially broke ground.
Silsden Park, originally known as Silsden Playing Fields, was inaugurated on September
29, 1934, by the Princess Royal. This
marked the first visit to Silsden by a member of the royal family. This event was notable for being the largest voluntary park scheme in the country at that time. Local textile manufacturer Richard Fletcher was pivotal in bringing this project to fruition.1935
Pavilion & Toilets, tennis courts, and more built
By September 1935, the Princess Royal officially opened the Playing Fields—including a bowling green, tennis courts, play equipment, and a pavilion—despite rainy weather. The bowling green was a key feature from the outset, indicating that lawn bowls were part of the park’s intended recreational offerings.
Sir Henry Price gave £700 (in today’s money £66k) to Silsden Playing Field Association for the park keepers bungalow to be built, and it’s named Priceholm in his honour. He gave a further £200 (in today’s money £18.5k) for other playing field improvements.
Toilets were built on either side of the pavilion along with the park keepers cottage, the tennis court, the paddling pool with an overlooking shelter, and the bandstand was built, (no record has been found as. to when the bandstand ceased to exist).
1938
Deed of Conveyance signed for two additional pieces of land adjacent to The Playing Fields from Veteripoint Estates Ltd.
Two adjoining fields were added to the playing fields. On 30 June 1938, a Deed of Conveyance was signed for two additional pieces of land adjacent to The Playing Fields from Veteripoint Estates Ltd.
1960c
The upper field was leveled by The Royal Engineers (as a training exercise). Silsden UDC paid for the equipment transportation.
1961
Provision for changing rooms in the pavilion were completed.
1968
The bowling hut was constucted.
1971/2
An entrance porch was added to the front of the pavilion and opened on 7th March 1972.
1974
1974 Local Government Act
Silsden became part of Bradford MDC, and as part of the reorganisation Bradford assumed the maintenance responsibility for the playing fields and its buildings. (Note, Bradford does not own the land, or buildings, which belong to Silsden residence, Silsden Town Council are the trustees of the park).
Unknown
The playing fields were renamed Silsden Park
Because children were breaking the tiles by climbing on the pavilion roof, which allowed water damage to occur, a painted pantile tin roof was installed to replace the terracotta pantile roof.
1995c
Toilets were demollished
The toilets (male and female on either side of the pavilion) were demolished (1995c), because, being unsupervised, and not maintained, they were not nice places to visit.
1995c
The pavilion was boarded up
The pavilion was originally provided for social events and a meeting place, a place to support the sporting events which took place in the park.
In 1968 the bowling club the bowling club moved to a separate building.
A green hut (behind the pavilion) was provided, with grants from the National Playing Fields Association. The green hut provided storage, changing rooms, and showers for the rugby team.
The pavilion was boarded up.Since being boarded up the pavilion has been opened for occasional sporting use, but now it is not fit for purpose. It is now in a very poor state of repair, the render is falling off the exterior walls, and the inside is damp with mould and plaster falling off the walls.
2000
Trees planted for the Millennium
Trees were planted for the Millennium on the slope on the north side of the top rugby pitch.
2005
Rocks and Ramps (The Skate Park) was built
Rocks and Ramps (The Skate Park) was built – a Silsden Youth Council project that raised the required money by their fundraising and securing donations and grants.
2007
Under 5’s playground was built
Under 5’s playground was built – a Silsden Youth Council project.
2009
The playground for older children was constructed
The playground for older children was constructed. Silsden Youth Council secured more than £70,000 in funding for the activity area.
2017
Friends of Silsden Park formed - 26th Oct 2017.
2017
Rugby pitch dug up, new drainage and replanted (Oct)
2023
The green rugby hut was demolished
The green rugby hut, having become dangerous, was demolished.
2023
The tennis courts were resurfaced
The tennis courts were resurfaced with money provided by the Lawn Tennis Association. Booking and courses/coaching are also arranged by LTA.
2024
The green rugby hut was replaced by green shipping containers
Jan 2024: a custom container was provided for Silsden Storm – providing changing facilities and showers (to replace the defunct green rugby hut and the use of the pavilion). Associated containers were provided for storage.
2025
The under 5s play area was refurbished with new equipment
Feb 2025: the under 5s play area was refurbished with a new play area and equipment.
This information was obtained from various sources:
♦ Silsden in Old postcards ♦ Silsden Story ♦ Silsden West Riding (Official Guide) ♦ A Village Tapestry ♦ Pennine Village ♦ 1936 OS Map ♦ Facebook ♦ STC Solicitors ♦ Peter Ford