Harris plaque restored and reinstalled at The Recreation Ground

In 2019 a member of Calne in Photographs posted a photo of a plaque celebrating the gift of The Recreation Ground to the town by Thomas Harris. This plaque had been missing from the gates of The Rec for some time.

I emailed Calne Town Council, who advised that they still had the plaque, but that it needed repairs.

At my suggestion, Andy Blackford was approached and restored the plaque to a high quality. He also manufactured brackets, so that the plaque could be reinstalled on the gate - all at no cost to the town.

After collecting the plaque, I displayed it at Calne Heritage Centre until it could be reinstalled.

Many thanks to Blackford Engineering along with Calne Town Council for completing this project. Thanks to Calne Town Mayor Cllr Tony Trotman for taking the time to thank Andy Blackford - photos will come later via Calne Town Council.

Here's some history regarding The Rec from my book, Calne Place Names:

The Recreation Ground c. 1891

The public park movement began in the 1830s as a response to overcrowding in urban areas. By the 1880s the benefits of public spaces were appreciated and started to become symbols of civic pride, which

led to a fashion of generous philanthropic gestures, which itself led to the height of public park openings between 1885 and 1914.

It is within this period, on Friday 21 August 1891, that Alderman Thomas Harris, presented the Recreation Ground to the town as a way to celebrate his silver wedding anniversary. The ground was said to be

elaborately laid out and included a cycle track, which has since been removed. The cost at the time exceeded £4000 and was formally opened by the Mayor, Thomas Edward Redman, Thomas Harris' nephew.

This gift also included the caretaker's house, 3 Anchor Road.

The original drinking fountain was given by Mrs. Harris (Elizabeth nee Colebrook). This was eventually replaced c. 1921, after previous repairs, by the drinking fountain that was previously located at The Square, itself a gift to the town by Thomas Harris, who was a long-time member of the Temperance Movement.

A plaque was placed at the gates to the ground, which reads:

"This Recreation Ground is the Gift of the Late Thomas Harris, Esq. J.P. Mayor of Calne Five Times. It was Opened to the Public on August 21st 1891"