A Grand Opening
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A Grand Opening
Barwicker No 35
September 1994
The splendid photograph above of a gathering of past
Barwick folk shows the opening by Jack Heaps of the children's
playground on the field which bears his name on the evening of 28
July 1954, forty years ago. The circumstances of his earlier gift
to the villagers of Barwick are described in the tablet shown,
which is on the wall at the entrance to the field on Main Street.
The children's playground was completed by the Parish Council
in October 1953 but the opening was delayed, as Jack Heaps was out
of the country at the time.
The motivation behind Mr Heaps' generous donation is recorded in the plaque shown below:
The opening party included the then Chairman of the Council,
Ted Smart, and five past and future holders of that office, Dorothy
Day, George Pullan, Dick Helm, Percy Hall and V.A.Blackah. James
Gray, Rector of Barwick, and Eric Holmes, Headmaster of Barwick
School, along with 'Tinner' Ingham, Billy Armitage, Tommy Birch and
Fred Scargill, also attended.
The photograph was taken by the Skyrack Express and a framed
copy was presented to Mr Heaps and another was retained in the
council chamber.
Following the opening ceremony, Mr Heaps was asked to bowl the
first ball in the Ladies and Gentlemen's cricket match.
HUGH HAWKINS
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