3-017-170 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Floral, Musical, and Athletic Festival at Springfield Park, Lancaster, 1865. Engraving from a photograph by John Holmes, of a cultural event. 'The park...kindly lent for the public enjoyment by Mrs. Ripley...is a fine level piece of ground, with an elevation leading up to Springfield Hall. On...the elevation, under the shade of some fine lofty trees, was the inclosure and pavilion for ladies. A little further to the south, under the shade of some fine umbrageous trees, was placed the tent for the flower show, while the refreshment and other tents were placed in different parts of the grounds round about...The whole of the first day was devoted to the flower show and a brass band contest; whilst the proceedings on the second day were of a miscellaneous character, consisting of contests in athletics, gymnastics, vocal music, and part-singing; the flower show also remained open. The object of the latter was to give the gentry and nurserymen of the town and neighbourhood an opportunity of displaying some of the produce of their gardens...and to encourage gardening among the working classes, and children, or inmates of hospitals, asylums, and workhouses, by awarding prizes for the best specimens of flowers, fruit, and vegetables'. From "Illustrated London News", 1865.