Park expert Elaine's history of town's green gem

The 90-page book, which traces a timeline from the park’s opening to the present day, is filled with photos from the past 124 years, many of them from the Advertiser.

“There are some lovely pictures which will bring back a lot of memories, including Sunshine Corner with Uncle Archie, concerts at the bandstand and all sorts of things many people may have forgotten about,” said Elaine, of Clifton Grove.

“I’ve been scouring the documents in the archives and I hope I’ve not missed anything out.

“I remember visiting the park as a little girl in the 1940s and it’s been a part of my life since then.

“It’s been a real labour of love because I’ve been working on it for three years on and off.”

Elaine is perfectly placed to compile the park’s history as a lifelong Rotherham resident and the founder chairman of the Friends.

The group’s proudest moments include the massive Lottery-funded overhaul of the park’s water play area, rock garden and other features, the creation of the new Garden House and the installation — thanks to the generosity of Advertiser readers — of the new Second World War memorial earlier this year.

“It’s been very enjoyable — my last book was about cholera in Rotherham so this had been a bit more cheerful,” Elaine said.

q Clifton Park from 1891 to 2015 is available from the Rotherham visitor centre, Hambys store in High Street, Clifton Park Museum and Middle Lane post office, priced £13.99.ark.