Repurposed horse trough in Bell Vue park

Image: © Adrian S Pye Taken: 2 Oct 2022

Lowestoft's first park was laid out in 1872 and opened in 1874. In August 1873 a tender of £256 from G Simpson was accepted for erecting a thatched keeper's lodge. Image] The design of the park followed the character of contemporary pleasure grounds, with winding paths and cross-walks through areas of lawn densely planted with a wide variety of specimen trees and shrubs. Image] A pagoda-style bandstand was erected on the eastern boundary to take advantage of the sea views. Originally called Arboretum Hill, but quickly changed to Belle Vue. Mr Arthur Stebbing proposed that a bridge be erected across the ravine on the northern boundary of the park, to mark the Queen's Golden Jubilee. Image] The bandstand was little used, and demolished to erect a memorial to the Royal Naval Patrol Service personnel who died in WW2 in its stead. Image] And of course the horses were not forgotten. Owing to the lack of horses it has been repurposed as a planter; however the original siting of the trough is not known. The park is grade II listed.

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