Beach House Park, Worthing
Encyclopedia
Beach House Park is a formal garden
in Worthing
, a town and local government district in West Sussex
, England. Opened by Worthing Borough Council in 1924, the 9.57 acres (3.9 ha) park has formal lawns and flowerbeds, bowling green
s of international standard, and a war memorial
commemorating war pigeon
s. A café in the grounds was destroyed by fire in 2009.
, a Grade II*-listed Regency-style
villa, was built in about 1820 by John Rebecca
. It faced the beach on the English Channel
coast, and its grounds extended northwards as far as the east–west Lyndhurst Road. In December 1922, Worthing Borough Council bought a section of these grounds (covering 9.57 acres (3.9 ha) between Brighton Road to the south and Lyndhurst Road to the north) for the benefit of the public. Formal gardens were laid out, and the park opened in early 1924.
The south (Brighton Road) end of the park is planted with shrubs, flowers and trees, while the northern section is given over to bowling greens, tennis courts and associated buildings. Trees run down the eastern and western boundaries, and surround the war pigeon memorial in the centre. The London Plane tree (Platanus × hispanica) is the predominant species; many were planted in 1992. There are also Cappadocian Maples (Acer cappadocicum). A herbaceous border
runs along the north side of the formal gardens, separating them from the bowling greens. Formal flowerbeds line the pathways in the ornamental gardens and the central pathway from there through the bowling greens.
The park originally had two bowling greens. More were laid out in 1926, 1934 and 1967. Three tennis courts, toilets, a park attendant's office, changing rooms and extra-large outdoor chessboards are also available.
For many years, there was a café in the park. In July 2009, it was severely damaged in an arson attack, but reopened—only to be destroyed by another fire three months later.
facilities. As of , four clubs are based at the park.
Bowls England
, formerly the English Bowls Association, moved to the park in 1987 when it built its headquarters on the Lyndhurst Road side. Each summer, it organises the National Championships—an event which has taken place at Beach House Park every year since 1974.
s: birds used during World War II
to carry messages, explosives and other items, in some cases on secret missions. Described as "splendidly conceived and charming", it is thought to be the only such memorial in Britain. The "Warrior Birds" memorial was promoted and commissioned by actress Nancy Price
and members of the People's Theatre in London. Local sculptor Leslie Sharp started work on the memorial in 1949, and it was unveiled on 27 July 1951 by the Duke
and Duchess
of Hamilton
.
As originally designed, the memorial consisted of a circular mound planted with shrubs and a rockery with streams and pools of water, two boulders with carved wording, and two stone pigeons. The pigeon sculptures have since been stolen and not replaced, and a fence has been added around the mound. One stone bears the words ; the other reads . The line A bird of the air shall carry the voice and that which hath wings shall tell the matter is a quote from the Book of Ecclesiastes
in the Old Testament
. A metal panel next to the entrance gate in the fence repeats most of the details from the first stone. The stones, which were quarried in the Forest of Dean
, were refurbished and repainted in 1999, and Worthing Borough Council continues to maintain the memorial.
Garden
A garden is a planned space, usually outdoors, set aside for the display, cultivation, and enjoyment of plants and other forms of nature. The garden can incorporate both natural and man-made materials. The most common form today is known as a residential garden, but the term garden has...
in Worthing
Worthing
Worthing is a large seaside town with borough status in West Sussex, within the historic County of Sussex, forming part of the Brighton/Worthing/Littlehampton conurbation. It is situated at the foot of the South Downs, west of Brighton, and east of the county town of Chichester...
, a town and local government district in West Sussex
West Sussex
West Sussex is a county in the south of England, bordering onto East Sussex , Hampshire and Surrey. The county of Sussex has been divided into East and West since the 12th century, and obtained separate county councils in 1888, but it remained a single ceremonial county until 1974 and the coming...
, England. Opened by Worthing Borough Council in 1924, the 9.57 acres (3.9 ha) park has formal lawns and flowerbeds, bowling green
Bowling green
A bowling green is a finely-laid, close-mown and rolled stretch of lawn for playing the game of lawn bowls.Before 1830, when Edwin Beard Budding invented the lawnmower, lawns were often kept cropped by grazing sheep on them...
s of international standard, and a war memorial
War memorial
A war memorial is a building, monument, statue or other edifice to celebrate a war or victory, or to commemorate those who died or were injured in war.-Historic usage:...
commemorating war pigeon
War pigeon
Pigeons have long played an important role in war. Due to their homing ability, speed, and altitude, they were often used as military messengers. After World War II, they ceased being used.- Nineteenth century :...
s. A café in the grounds was destroyed by fire in 2009.
History and facilities
Beach HouseBeach House, Worthing
Beach House in Worthing, England is a Regency beach-side villa, built in 1820 to designs by John Rebecca. It was originally known as Marino Mansion.-History:...
, a Grade II*-listed Regency-style
Regency architecture
The Regency style of architecture refers primarily to buildings built in Britain during the period in the early 19th century when George IV was Prince Regent, and also to later buildings following the same style...
villa, was built in about 1820 by John Rebecca
John Rebecca
John Biagio Rebecca , the son of Italian-born decorative painter Biagio Rebecca , was an architect of many buildings in Sussex and London. He is credited as being the principal architect of Georgian Worthing...
. It faced the beach on the English Channel
English Channel
The English Channel , often referred to simply as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates southern England from northern France, and joins the North Sea to the Atlantic. It is about long and varies in width from at its widest to in the Strait of Dover...
coast, and its grounds extended northwards as far as the east–west Lyndhurst Road. In December 1922, Worthing Borough Council bought a section of these grounds (covering 9.57 acres (3.9 ha) between Brighton Road to the south and Lyndhurst Road to the north) for the benefit of the public. Formal gardens were laid out, and the park opened in early 1924.
The south (Brighton Road) end of the park is planted with shrubs, flowers and trees, while the northern section is given over to bowling greens, tennis courts and associated buildings. Trees run down the eastern and western boundaries, and surround the war pigeon memorial in the centre. The London Plane tree (Platanus × hispanica) is the predominant species; many were planted in 1992. There are also Cappadocian Maples (Acer cappadocicum). A herbaceous border
Herbaceous border
A herbaceous border is a collection of perennial herbaceous plants arranged closely together, usually to create a dramatic effect through colour, shape or large scale. The term herbaceous border is mostly in use in the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth...
runs along the north side of the formal gardens, separating them from the bowling greens. Formal flowerbeds line the pathways in the ornamental gardens and the central pathway from there through the bowling greens.
The park originally had two bowling greens. More were laid out in 1926, 1934 and 1967. Three tennis courts, toilets, a park attendant's office, changing rooms and extra-large outdoor chessboards are also available.
For many years, there was a café in the park. In July 2009, it was severely damaged in an arson attack, but reopened—only to be destroyed by another fire three months later.
Bowls
Worthing Bowling Club was established in 1907 and was originally based at Homefield Park—the site of the town's only bowling green. In 1924, when Beach House Park's first two greens opened, the club moved there. By 1938, eight clubs had been founded in the park, and a pavilion had been built. In 1972, the second men's Bowls World Championship was staged at Beach House Park, at which time another pavilion was added. Five years later, the third women's World Championship was also held, and in 1979 the Masters Tournament took place. The men's World Championship returned in 1992. All five greens have automatic irrigationIrrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
facilities. As of , four clubs are based at the park.
Bowls England
Bowls England
Bowls England governs the game of flat green outdoor bowls for men and women in England. It was formed on the 1st January 2008 following a merger of the English Bowling Association and the English Women’s Bowling Association....
, formerly the English Bowls Association, moved to the park in 1987 when it built its headquarters on the Lyndhurst Road side. Each summer, it organises the National Championships—an event which has taken place at Beach House Park every year since 1974.
Pigeon memorial
In the centre of the formal gardens, there is a memorial to war pigeonWar pigeon
Pigeons have long played an important role in war. Due to their homing ability, speed, and altitude, they were often used as military messengers. After World War II, they ceased being used.- Nineteenth century :...
s: birds used during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to carry messages, explosives and other items, in some cases on secret missions. Described as "splendidly conceived and charming", it is thought to be the only such memorial in Britain. The "Warrior Birds" memorial was promoted and commissioned by actress Nancy Price
Nancy Price
Nancy Price, CBE , was an English actress on stage and screen, authoress and theatre director. Her acting career began in a repertory theatre company before progressing to the London stage, silent films, talkies and finally television. In addition to appearing on stage she became involved in...
and members of the People's Theatre in London. Local sculptor Leslie Sharp started work on the memorial in 1949, and it was unveiled on 27 July 1951 by the Duke
Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton
Air Commodore Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton and 11th Duke of Brandon, KT, GCVO, AFC, PC, DL, FRCSE, FRGS, was a Scottish nobleman and pioneering aviator....
and Duchess
Elizabeth Douglas-Hamilton, Duchess of Hamilton and Brandon
Elizabeth Ivy Douglas-Hamilton, Duchess of Hamilton OBE DL was the daughter of Alan Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland and his wife, Helen. Lady Elizabeth Ivy Percy was born at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland and spent her youth between there, Albury House in Surrey and Syon House in Middlesex...
of Hamilton
Duke of Hamilton
Duke of Hamilton is a title in the Peerage of Scotland, created in 1643. It is the senior dukedom in that Peerage , and as such its holder is the Premier Peer of Scotland, as well as being head of both the House of Hamilton and the House of Douglas...
.
As originally designed, the memorial consisted of a circular mound planted with shrubs and a rockery with streams and pools of water, two boulders with carved wording, and two stone pigeons. The pigeon sculptures have since been stolen and not replaced, and a fence has been added around the mound. One stone bears the words ; the other reads . The line A bird of the air shall carry the voice and that which hath wings shall tell the matter is a quote from the Book of Ecclesiastes
Ecclesiastes
The Book of Ecclesiastes, called , is a book of the Hebrew Bible. The English name derives from the Greek translation of the Hebrew title.The main speaker in the book, identified by the name or title Qoheleth , introduces himself as "son of David, king in Jerusalem." The work consists of personal...
in the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
. A metal panel next to the entrance gate in the fence repeats most of the details from the first stone. The stones, which were quarried in the Forest of Dean
Forest of Dean
The Forest of Dean is a geographical, historical and cultural region in the western part of the county of Gloucestershire, England. The forest is a roughly triangular plateau bounded by the River Wye to the west and north, the River Severn to the south, and the City of Gloucester to the east.The...
, were refurbished and repainted in 1999, and Worthing Borough Council continues to maintain the memorial.