Opening of Lowther Gardens, 1872

LYTHAM.

OPENING OF LOWTHER GARDENS.

On Tuesday, Lytham was en fête, the whole of the shops and places of business being closed, on the occasion of the opening of a small, but very beautiful park and gardens, named Lowther Gardens, facing Lowther Terrace, and a short distance north of the Clifton Hotel.

The ground, which comprises nearly 13 acres, is the gift of Mr. J. T. Clifton, of Lytham Hall, the lord of the manor, and has been exquisitely laid out by Mr. Barnes, of Lytham, from the design of Mr. Rowbotham, park keeper to the Preston Corporation.

At one o'clock, a procession was formed at the market house to the gardens. It comprised :—Mr. Clifton, Mr. T. H. Clifton, Lady E. C. Clifton, Colonel the Right Hon. J. Wilson-Patten, M.P., Mr. J. P. C. Starkie, M.P., Mr. R. T. Parker (Cuerden Hall), the clergymen of all denominations resident in Lytham, Captain Alcock (chairman of the Lytham Commissioners), the gentry and tradesmen, visitors, Sunday schools, &c.

The procession, headed by the band of the Lytham Rifle Volunteers, having perambulated the park, repaired to a dais in the centre of the park, near the fountain basin, where the principal members of the procession took their seats, and an address to Mr. Clifton was read, thanking him on behalf of the commissioners, the inhabitants, and visitors for his munificent gift. Mr. Clifton, in replying, said he had great pleasure in dedicating the “Lowther Gardens" to the visitors and inhabitants of Lytham, and intimated his intention of upholding and maintaining them at his own expense, so that it might not be thought he was casting a burden upon the ratepayers. (Cheers.)

The school children, led by the band, then sang the National Anthem, and three cheers having been given for Mr. Clifton, Colonel Patten called for three cheers for Lady Eleanor Cicely Clifton, which were heartily given, and the proceedings at the gardens terminated.