Catalogue

It’s quite a few years ago since the Friends of Bakewell Street Park Trust was established and as a result secured major investment for the huge job of replacing the old unsafe paths, completely restoring the old bowing green pavilion, and clearing many self-setting and dangerous trees. In addition. the team worked hard in securing additional funding for picnic benches and seating on the lower section of the park.

In 2005 a group of enthusiasts got together to form ‘The Friends of Bakewell Street Park” Progress had been steady with a number of events being held in the park during the summer months. In a bid to ‘Awards for All’ the group have secured nearly £10,000 of funding to pay for a large marquee, metal picnic tables and seats, the services of a landscape architect to draw up the new plans and various other items. Three Pages

It is impossible to make comparisons today for the working and living conditions of the middle years of the 19^th century and yet it was a reality of life not to be brushed under the carpet. Without exception, the vast majority were either potters or colliers in every town of the Potteries and the challenge to the working class was to avoid the workhouse at all costs.

The causes of such depravity are numerous, the pottery industry was unpredictable especially with the USA market. Breadwinners, because of the payment system of wages being paid in the corner pub were encouraged by the landlord to have more to drink as he claimed had not enough change to pay them from a £5 note from the foreman who held the pay for all under him. Many wives, along with their children would stand outside imploring their husbands to come out before all their wages were spent but to return home with drunken spouse with the certain knowledge, they would be evicted the following week as there was no money for the rent or food.A true reflection of life in the pottery towns ideal for the study in Humanaties. Nearly 1800 words x three pages.