Beach Road Dingle

Alexandra Park includes two wooded valleys, or dingles, one on the Beach Road side of the Park, and the other, known as The Dingle, forming the southerly boundary.

The Beach Road Dingle begins just inside the Rectory Road entrance and runs down past the Lodge to the Beach Road entrance. Towards the southerly end, adjacent to the greenhouses, was a wooden bridge which led to steps going up to the bandstand and shelter. In March 1920 this bridge was found to be unsafe and was closed.[1] Initially there was a proposal to replace it with a new concrete bridge[2], at a cost of £900, but eventually it was decided to make a culvert and build up the land instead of erecting a bridge.[3] This can be seen in the present day park in the form of made-up land topped by a tarmac path.

In February 1909 the Parks Committee recommended that "an Ornamental Convenience for Gentlemen be erected on the left hand side of the entrance from Rectory Road"[4], meaning at the head of the path leading down the Beach Road Dingle. Ordnance Survey maps from the 1920s to the 1950s show a urinal here, and on the 1970s map a Public Convenience was marked in this position.

Sources of information

  1. Meeting of the Parks Committee 22nd March 1920
  2. Adjourned Meeting of the Council 15th December 1920
  3. Meeting of the Public Works Committee 29th January 1923, approved by Meeting of the Council 5th February 1923
  4. Meeting of the Parks Committee 16th February 1909