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War Memorial Park, Romsey (also known as War Memorial Park, Romsey)

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Pgds 20151218 124042 1
Pgds 20151218 125018 3

Introduction

The park was created on a two hectare (five acre) meadow, known locally as Street Mead, with money collected for a World War 1 memorial. It lies between two arms of the River Test, and comprises grassed areas and flower beds, a war memorial (1921) and a restored bandstand (2002). The park also incorporates a children's play area, bowling green and tennis courts. It is well maintained and in good order.In 2015 after an appeal, a ‘War Horse’ memorial statue was unveiled to commemorate the World War I centenary and the equine contribution, many horses having been trained at the Romsey Remount Centre.

The park remains much as it appeared at its opening in 1920, with grassed areas and planted beds. Lying between a fast-flowing arm of the Test from the Mill race and a calmer arm, its situation is very picturesque and provides an oasis of quiet.
Visitor Access, Directions & Contacts

Telephone

01264 368813

Website

https://www.testvalley.gov.uk/communityandleisure/parksandgreenspaces/parks-green-spaces-romsey

Access contact details

The park is open daily from sunrise to sunset.

Owners

Test Valley Borough Council

Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover, Hampshire,, SP10 3AJ
History

After World War 1, money was collected for a memorial which was used to provide a public park. Opened in 1920, the park was created on wetlands of a two hectare (five acre) meadow known locally as Street Mead and owned by the former Romsey Borough Council. Hard core to shore up the wetland was transported from a redundant site of a ‘horse reform' ground, where some 4000 horses had been re-trained after military use during and after the war.

In June 1946, Lord Mountbatten donated the Japanese 150mm field gun which had been given to him as Supreme Allied Commander of the South-East Asia command when he received the surrender of the Japanese.

A war memorial was presented in 1921 and in the years between the two world wars a bandstand with a thatched roof was installed. The war memorial stands on an axis between the two arms of the river with the bandstand on the same axis. The bandstand later fell into disrepair and was removed but was restored in 2002, based on Victorian castings and without the thatch.

Period

  • 20th Century (1901 to 1932)
  • Early 20th Century (1901 to 1932)
Features & Designations

Features

  • Flower Bed
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
  • War Memorial
  • Earliest Date:
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  • Bandstand
  • Description: The bandstand was restored in 2002 based on Victorian castings.
  • Earliest Date:
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  • Garden Feature
  • Description: In June 1946, Lord Mountbatten donated the Japanese 150mm field gun which had been given to him as Supreme Allied Commander of the South-East Asia command when he received the surrender of the Japanese.
  • River
  • Description: River Test.
  • War Memorial
  • Description: In 2015 after an appeal, a ‘War Horse’ memorial statue was unveiled to commemorate the WWI centenary and the equine contribution, many horses having been trained at the Romsey Remount Centre.
  • Earliest Date:
  • Latest Date:
Key Information

Type

Park

Purpose

Commemorative

Principal Building

Parks, Gardens And Urban Spaces

Period

20th Century (1901 to 1932)

Survival

Extant

Hectares

2

Open to the public

Yes

Civil Parish

Romsey

References

Contributors

  • Hampshire Gardens Trust

  • Lesley Wilson