Radipole Sensory Garden April 2024; Surprising What You Can Find On a Building Site.
Though today's post is really about my accidentally discovering some of the park's history. For those of you that follow us, you'll know that our park and gardens were created out of an estuary, it's land infilled with the dredging from the other side of the newly built Radipole Park Drive....
Exciting Times; Rising from the Ground; November 2023 Lottery Updates
Have to say our Lottery project in Radipole Park & Gardens has been a real test of patience and optimism. We have battled, covid, price hikes, value engineering, resubmission to Lottery panel...
Exciting Moment…A Tour of the Site; Radipole Play Park August 2023
It is quite fascinating to watch and be a part of this process as part of the Lottery Submission, our journey through to achieving the award, and of course, somewhat turbulent path towards the project's completion....
Sadness; The End of an Era…But…New Exciting Times to Look Forwards To. 2023
As my old mum would say, you have to crack a few eggs to make an omelette. Such is the case now....
Free Pumpkins Galore; 450 Years On and Which Side Are You?
This year we're combining our annual pumpkin carving with Weymouth's 450 celebrations. Thanks to a generous grant from Weymouth Town Council we can supply 100 free pumpkins to be carved at our All Hallows' Hoolies. When you arrive at Radipole gardens queue up and sign in to receive your free pumpkin, one per child. You'll then be directed to a carving table with tools, but we respectfully request that parents supervise their children during this activity, after all its good fun to do these things together. Mind you, I do remember a couple of somewhat eager parents last time taking this very seriously, taking over charge of...
Remembering Weymouth’s Long Lost Estuary
Historically though, the Backwater was exactly that, a back water as opposed to the sea front. Weymouth, or to be more precise, what used to be Weymouth and Melcombe Regis, were two separate settlements that were divided by this estuary. (The name Weymouth: of course means mouth of the river Wey)...
And the Band Played On; Weymouth Concert Brass Band
I can't believe we are already over half way through the year! Summer is finally upon us, delicious warmth on face, birds music-making in the trees and it's time to drag out and brush off those picnic baskets. What better way to spend a hot summer's day than lying in the dappled shade of our willows, liquid refreshment in hand, those scrummy fresh scones, cream and jam just beckoning you from our tea tent...
Warning!; Wet & Windy Weather; Radipole Park 1955-2012
Wet & Windy Weather. I spend some of my time researching old images, and often come across real gems, albeit by mistake. (Also makes it very hard not to go off on a tangent!) Such was the case over the weekend when someone posted a wonderful photo of old Weymouth. Intrigued I hastened over to the site and uncovered a wealth of Weymouth images going way back in history. Prompted by todays less than springtime weather, I though these very apt. Flooding of Radipole Park Drive in 1955. The only reason I remember this date is because it was the year I was born and my Mum always...
People Share Some Wonderful Memories
We often get links and pieces sent to us via our site and we appreciate every single one of them. They all add to our archives and enrich our living history. Such was the case last week when this wonderful piece popped up in my mails, though sadly no e-mail address with it to thank the sender. Below is what I received as it was written. I have added a couple of photos for those who are too young to remember it as it was or maybe like myself need something to jogs zee leettle grey cells as Poirot was fond of reciting. *** 'William Craven & The...
Discovering Images of Radipole Gardens Lost Past
Some might think that an odd title seeing as the gardens were only created during the 1930's, but if you're fan of good old Tony Robinson and Time Team, you'll know that sometimes it's easier to research, read and know more about centuries ago than it is our more recent history! Radipole park and gardens were created during the 1930's, a period between two World Wars, also a period of austerity and high unemployment. Schemes had been set up by the government of the day to enable councils to take advantage of cheap rate loans to employ many of those men and women who were unable...