Members of the Peace Celebrations Committee.
Most of the members can be named. Can anyone fill in the “Unknowns?
Back Row L-R. George Proud; B. Miles Thomas; J.O Richards; D.R Reynolds; Unknown; D.M Davies; Hywel Evans (he became the town clerk).
Middle Row L-R. E.A Thomas; Cllr Mrs B.M Timothy; 3 unknown ladies; Mrs Doris Black; unknown; Gethin Thomas (Annie Francis sweet shop on the square); Reg Hooper (he was the food officer in the Town Hall during WW2).
Front Row L-R. Sidney Pitt (Church organist); Mrs Dr James; Cllr Gwilym Williams; Mrs Rita Morris (Church Warden St Mary’s); Mrs Bessie Williams; Mrs Minnie Davies; Mrs Kelly; Nurse James; Mrs Anne Harries.
Red letter day for Fishguard Children
Peace Celebrations Committee’s gift to the town
This is a red letter day for the children of Fishguard” declared Cllr. Gwylim Ll. Williams in performing on Whit – Monday last (26th) the formal opening of the Children’s Playground at Lota Park, Fishguard.
County Echo Thursday May 29th 1947
Costing £400, the equipment forming this “kiddie’s paradise” was provided by the Peace Celebrations Committee, the body originally formed to arrange Victory Festivities to mark the end of WW2, and was then presented by them to the Urban Council as a gift to the children of the town.
The hard work and expertise of the Committee made possible this magnificent gift and it was hoped the playground would provide amusement and recreation as well as keeping children safe from the perils of the roads and add to the amenities available to holidaymakers.
Later in the proceedings several members of the Urban Council successfully tried out the giant slide; the only technical hitch befell Cllr E.A Thomas who came to a momentary standstill halfway down the slope!
The Committee had also provided a set of swings to be erected in the children’s playground at Lower Fishguard once the transfer of land so kindly given by Mrs Williams of Cefn-y-Dre (to the council) was complete.
The day started off with a “Monster Carnival” which assembled on Fishguard Square at 10.30 a.m prompt. After the official opening in Lota Park there was a tea given to all Fishguard children at the market premises at 3.30.p.m. Children were requested to bring their own cups or mugs!
A Grand Dance was held at the Drill Hall from 8-12 p.m. Music by Kensington Swingtette. Admission 2/6d. The spacious Drill Hall was crowded and the M.C was Mr Sydney J Pitt.
At the Grand Concert, given the same night in the Church Hall commencing at 7.30 p.m. entertainment was provided by “The Famous Royal Artillery Band” comprising 27 instrumentalists. Admission was 2/6d.
The park had been used for public entertainment for many years. The Grand Sacred Concert advertised in 1928 is testimony to the wide range of uses found for the space.
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Sidney Pitt, ‘Church organist’ and ‘MC’ of Penslade is my Grandfather. His second wife, Aline, ran a wool shop from their house.
My Mother, Connie and her brothers, Alcum and Wallie were all brought up at 3 Penslade too. I have many photos illustrating their lives there in the 1920s and 30s.
I think that the title here should read “The Opening of Lota Park Playground”.
Lota Park itself was opened in 1926.
The witch’s hat, just behind the group on the left hand side, was still going strong in the 1960s/70s when we were kids. When enough kids were on it and it got up to speed, you were in danger of losing teeth on the cross bars, smashing your legs against the centre pole or being flung head first into the concrete if you weren’t holding on tight. We loved it!
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