History
Victoria Park was opened on 19 May 1894. The park was established on the site of Fence House and its grounds. Surviving images show that the house was Georgian and Victorian, but could have dated back to the Elizabethan era (1558-1603). It is thought that the word Fence may have referred to the boundary of the royal hunting forest of Macclesfield with the town.
Fence House was acquired by the wealthy and influential Brocklehurst family, and its gift to the town and people of Macclesfield by Francis Dicken Brocklehurst, formed one of a series of gifts by that family to Macclesfield including alms houses, another park and the museum. Fence House was demolished, and part of the grounds was set aside for the park. The remainder was used for Fence Avenue, a series of large houses, and the school.
Francis Dicken Brocklehurst, whose generous gift made
the creation of the Park possible.
Fence House c. 1890. The site of the house lies under the school on Fence Avenue.
Letter from Francis Dicken Brocklehurst offering the town land to establish Victoria Park:
11 February 1893.
Dear Mr Mayor
It is my desire to present to the town of Macclesfield a Park and Playground that may be of special benefit to the East side of the Town, a district comprising Hurdsfield, Lower Hurdsfield, and Macclesfield Common, now thickly covered with dwellings, and as it appears to me, very deficient in open spaces for health giving recreation. I am prepared to put in order for the purpose and to present to the town a plot of land containing about thirteen acres ... five acres to be Kept as a play ground In active games such as football, cricket, gymnastics etc. And the remaining portion of the land to be Kept as a Quiet Resort. May I ask you to be good enough to submit my offer to The Town at your convenience.
Believe me my dear Mr Mayor
Yours faithfully
After much work, the park was opened with celebrations across Macclesfield. The opening day was declared a public holiday for the people of Macclesfield. The mills, banks and businesses closed for the day at the request of the mayor. There was a large procession through the town to the new Victoria Park led by mounted police and a foot detachment of the 14th King’s Hussars, the mayor and other dignitaries. Dancing troupes, the football team, the cycling club dressed in fancy dress costumes, local bands, Sunday schools and other local societies also joined the parade.
The park quickly developed, and bowling clubs made use of the new bowling green.
