Compiled by Stephen Birch THROUGH PARK GATES 1900-1963 A Compilation of images through the old entrance of ASTON PARK There were many postcards made of new public parks especially after the boom in the early 1900s. Many parks were opened which had once been part of great estates just like our own, Aston Hall. As the suburbs grew the councils often bought acres of green land especially around ready formed lakes as walking, seating, and playing areas for the general public. (There is a full story of all the Parks in Erdington with images and dates in our Archive from August.) This is my full collection of postcards looking through the old arched entrance of Aston Park out to Witton Lane and Aston Church. The old Entrance seen in the images was a later addition to the Hall and Estate. Sir Lister Holte spent a lot of money on improvements to the grounds over the period of three years; 1754 to 1757. A brick wall was built round the park are of the estate replacing earlier wooden paling. During this the new lodge was built opposite Aston Church. A gothic arch over the carriageway, flanked by a little two roomed pavillions on either side. The windows and gables echoing the jacobean style of Aston Hall. The entrance arch and lodges were known as rare early example of Jacobean revival. Sadly demolished in 1959 after a tragic accident (which has been mentioned in a post last year and is not detailed in this post in respect to the Family of those concerned). The Entrance was simply known as Sir Lister Holtes gothic gate lodge. 1. ASTON PARK 1903 A very early view looking down the drive from the Hall towards the entrance and the church surrounded by trees. This postcard was sent 18th June 1903. 2. ASTON PARK Entrance 1901 The earliest Postcard in the collection sent in 1901 at the end of the Victorian Era. It also shows the many tall gravestones in the churchyard of Aston Church sadly now moved. 3. ASTON PARK ENTRANCE LODGE 1904 Peaceful view looking from the park through the arch with the horse & cart walking along Witton Lane past the Churchyard in the background. Within 3 years lamp posts and overhead wires changed the cart horse to Electric tram. 4. ASTON PARK 1906 View looking down the drive from Aston Hall towards the Lodge and entrance. This colourised image shows the beautiful planted flower beds which lined the drive. The Spire of Aston Church setting the backdrop for a long gone Village scene 5. ASTON PARK dated March 1906 View across the drive of Aston Park with the entrance lodge in front of the Church in the background. The outline of the houses on Park Road on the right hand of the image. 6. ASTON PARK GATES & PARISH CHURCH 1906 Road Workers on Witton Lane in front of Aston Church seen through the entrance of Aston Park. Because of the date it has been suggested that the work is been carried out on the tram lines and new electric overhead wiring along the Witton route changing from Steam to Electric. 7&8. ASTON CHURCH & PARK ENTRANCE 1907 Two images showing the Same photograph from 1907. The little Edwardian girl leans on her pushchair watching the very new Electric open topped tram on Witton Lane on its way back to Witton Depot. 9. ASTON PARK GATEWAY 1912 Moving forward to 1912 this view through the gateway shows the row of Victorian/Edwardian terraces and shops opposite Aston Church on Witton Lane on the right hand side through the gateway. These houses and shops were demolished in 1969/70 to make way for the Aston Expressway which runs straight across the background of this view today. 10. ASTON PARK & CHURCH 1963 This image taken looking across from the apron, the drive in front of the Hall down on the left towards the Church and the new plain entrance which replaced the Gothic Arch structure after a fatal accident which rendered the buildings unsafe and so demolished. On the right across the park in the background are the houses near the bottom of Park Road opposite the park wall. Nechells Power Station dominates the skyline.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Nov 2014 18:30:00 +0000