WEST BROMWICH DARTMOUTH PARK the great amenities have all disappeared bring back the Boating Pool

[@awalkwithphil]

Park Videos generally contain a few "easter egg sounds" see if you can spot them. Many thanks for watching

[@awalkwithphil]

Hope you enjoyed this walk around Dartmouth Park. Consider subscribing to this channel by hitting the SUBSCRIBE BUTTON in order for me to continue making films in and around West Bromwich and it will also ensure you are alerted to new video content. As always, all comments, questions, and feedback are welcome. Thanks for watching!!

[@tommorrissey]

You brought back a lot of memories with this video Phil, from feeding the ducks with my little sister and paddling in the pool to drinking cans of Special Brew with Si, Rar, Daz(rip),Jet,Sim and many more mates on hot summer Sundays during that period when the pubs shut. Happy happy memories.

[@awalkwithphil]

Many thanks Tom

[@brumwolf]

Used to love going to the park as a child the big flower clock by the entrance, and when it was hot going in the paddling pool with it's fountain, and as I got older the boating pool and to the right of the boat house was the bowling green.

[@awalkwithphil]

Many thanks BW, appreciated

[@awalkwithphil]

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[@marktimmins3589]

Thanks for this Phil. My memories when I was a young boy was the Sandwell Historic Vehicle Parade and it finishing at Dartmouth Park. My Dad was well into it and spending the afternoon going around the park looking at the cars, lorries and buses. I seem to remember one year they had a Chieftain Tank going around ripping up all the grass in a demo area below the area of the pavilion. I too remember being in the paddling pools on a warm day. You had to be careful of any broken glass in there though! so my mom kept reminding me. I also seem to recall one year going to the park for the bonfire and fireworks display. I seem to remember that the bonfire was absolutely huge made out of pallets which took them days to build. I don't seem to recall any barrier around the fire, you could walk up to the embers when it had died down. I also seem to recall there was some kind of amphitheatre and bandstand in the park behind where the duck pond is now, kind of built into the hill as you ascend, at 12:27 in the video. Remember that the Farley Fountain used to be in the park (near the Dagger Lane entrance), but this got moved in the 90's to its current location in High Street (by where the Farley Centre is). Nice to see that you mentioned the Darbys Ales recovered painting. You can find some more info on that at this link. www.friendsofdartmouthpark.org.uk/book/Section%204.pdf Thanks.

[@awalkwithphil]

Great memories Mark. Many of us remember all those facilities and events, but where have they all gone? It now doesnt even have a fountain that works. But its a pleasant park to walk around but I often wonder that it used to offer its local people so much more and could do again if the powers that be wanted

[@paulhill196]

@marktimmins3589 Hi Mark I Remember that old 1930s Dennis Bus that turned up evey year at the park and now I know it was a classic vehicles rally all the best Paul

[@paulhill2891]

Hello Phil just to say i spent many happy hours with my family around the park paddling pools and on the boating pool rowing and fishing and also on small pond you had to be there early to get a peg in those days happy days behind the boat house was a bowling green before that fort there was a cafe in lived an amazing mynah bird that was very entertaining

[@awalkwithphil]

I wasnt too sure where that bowling green was so thanks for the direction, much appreciated

[@Rollin-Rant]

Ha ha 😂 I thought that there was something wrong with my hearing, that horse noise 🐎 🤣 frightened the life out of me. Thanks for the entertaining video Phil 📹 👍 😂

[@awalkwithphil]

Thanks RR

[@Caggyhanded]

A guy called Joseph Ridley Straughan of 5 Dagger Lane built the rowing boats for the pool up until 1954, next to the boathouse was a bird aviary and the bowling green was behind the aviary (where the picnic tables are today), often went in the old cafe to see the talking mynah bird, the modern Fort Apache is a poor replacement but it has some nice old photos of the park inside and a large bell from somewhere local (forget but think it may be from the Christ Church), went on the top once when newly open it gives nice view but been closed off ever since, i was one of the many kids who fished both boating lake and duck pond, remember the art deco bandstand it stood unused for years till knocked down, and of course the flower clock.

[@awalkwithphil]

Thanks CH some brilliant info there, much appreciated

[@Amanda12325]

Enjoyed the walk again Phil, heard 5 Easter egg sounds but won’t spoil the surprises 😂. Made it interesting thank you 😊

[@awalkwithphil]

I think you called it about right

[@jim-md6ej]

Hello Phil, enjoyed the walk around Dartmouth Park.. I'm sure you can still fish on the boating lake.Nice to hear the resident flock of sheep at the beginning 😂, the invisible galloping horse and the growling beast...😂.

[@awalkwithphil]

Well spotted Jim. There is also a flock of seagulls back in the day that would have been rather unusual to hear, but they are in there anyway. Many thanks

[@XiOjala]

You could definitely fish in the boating pool. It cost 9d. There were roach, perch, gudgeon and bream. There probably still are. When the weather warms up a bit get your rods out Phil.

[@awalkwithphil]

Thanks for the confirmation. 9d eh, those were the days

[@cymrujoy]

Happy memories of the park and the King George V Pavilion. It all looks so empty now though.

[@johnhaynes5814]

Do they still hold the Historic Vehicle Parade at Dartmouth Park in May? On the morning of the parade some of the historic vehicles did a drive around the borough.

[@awalkwithphil]

I dont think they do John. I remember it going around the local streets before entering the display within the park. Great event, that was

[@johnhaynes5814]

@@awalkwithphil Pity, used to be organised by Geoff and Linda Price who had a passion for everything bus related, lovely couple. We used do put on the WW2 battle reenactment every year and help raise money for Hallam Hospitals Radio Lollipop amongst other charities over the years.

[@paulhill196]

Hi Phil I always loved the Boating Lake/Pool I liked looking inside the boat workshop to see the boats being maintained and as you say Phil come in number 9 and are you in trouble number 6 and will you please add that ugly building Plallet central to your ugly buildings tour of west Bromwich and I bet the sensory Garden looks loverly in the summer and I enjoyed the walk around Dartmouth Park all the best Paul

[@awalkwithphil]

You're most kind Paul. All the amenities we once had at the park have all gone, Golf, Tennis, Rowing, Fishing, paddling pool, refreshment room, concert stage and Bowling. I think most forget what an extraordinary place the park was in its heyday

[@matthewwilliams3827]

Honestly I’ve never even minded cold or wet weather that much, it’s just the way people treat their own country and that nobody seems to care about where they live anymore… I like going for a walk in almost any weather apart from when it’s REALLY pouring it down. Lol

[@awalkwithphil]

Good point Matthew

[@ostrowski3469]

Loved this one mate, have you done Sandwell Priory woods/ Ruins & Sand Well?

[@ostrowski3469]

Europa Wood is really nice too lots of history along with Europa avenue

[@awalkwithphil]

@@ostrowski3469 Not yet ostro i'll probably explore the area in the Spring, I will add it to the list, thanks for the suggestion

[@nelswbafc]

Metal benches are installed because wooden benches get vandalised by youths .lots youths use band stand drink alcohol smoke drugs there esp evenings get lots broken glass there and on paths by youths drinking esp at night .nice park for people that use it properly .but not safe get gangs in there up to no good .

[@shaunhopkins1850]

There use to be some big fish in the bigger lake

[@europeanworldenglishchampi3860]

What was that noise at 5.16😂

[@awalkwithphil]

Park videos always contain one or two "easter eggs"