Saturday 16 August 2014

Weston-super-Mare - Clarence Park




A plaque at the entrance to the park states that the land was presented to the town by Rebecca Davies in memory of her late husband, Henry Davies in October 1882.  The park itself was apparently named Clarence after Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence and second in line of succession.  It was on Queen Victoria’s 71st. Birthday, 24 May 1890, that Albert was created Duke of Clarence and Avondale and Earl of Athlone.  

"Albert Victor late 1880s" by Alexander Bassano - 
National Portrait Gallery's collection of photographic negatives (website). 
Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons - 

Prince Albert was a colourful member of the Royal Family implicated in all sorts of scandals and affairs – although nothing was ever proved.  The most notable rumour was that Prince Albert was Jack the Ripper however this could not have been the case because on the days of the various murders the Prince was elsewhere.  On 31st. August 1888 when Polly Nicholls was murdered Prince Albert was at Danby Lodge in Yorkshire; on 8th. September 1888 when Annie Chapman was murdered the Prince was at the Cavalry Barracks in York; on 30th. September when Elizabeth Stride and Catharine Eddowes met their fate Prince Albert was at Albergeldie in Scotland; and on 9th. November when Mary Jane Kelly was murdered the Prince was at Sandringham. (The Jack the Ripper A-Z by Paul Begg, Martin Fido and Keith Skinner)

1889 brought its fair share of scandal when the Metropolitan Police uncovered a male brothel in London’s Cleveland Street.  Once again Prince Albert was rumoured to be involved but nothing was ever proven.   

A wife had to be found for the young prince but this was not easy.  He had fallen in love with Princess Helene d’Orleans, daughter of the pretender to the French throne but she was Catholic so unacceptable.  Queen Victoria wanted the prince to marry one of her granddaughters, Princess Alix of Hesse but she married Tsar Nicholas II instead and in 1918 she was executed along with other members of her family.  Finally it was arranged that Prince Albert should marry his distant cousin Princess Mary of Teck.  They became engaged in December 1891 and the wedding was set for May 1892.  However that winter an influenza pandemic swept through Britain and Prince Albert died one month before his wedding.

Cricket Pavilion, Clarence Park

The cricket pavilion dates back to the turn of 19th./20th. centuries and August 1914 saw Somerset playing their last two games here before the Great War.  The third was cancelled as the country had by then been mobilised.  The pavilion is now boarded up and looking very sorry for itself.
 
The Lodge, Clarence Park

The lodge, originally provided as the Park Keeper’s residence, looks as good as ever and just opposite is a delightful cafĂ©.  

Cafe in the Park, Clarence Park



A few weeks back the flower display, as I mentioned in an earlier post, was a delight to behold – a sea of poppies fluttering in the breeze. 


The old toilet block has recently been refurbished by Weston Town Council and you may “Spend A Penny”


 if you put 20p in the slot








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