
In May 1894, the Earl of Northbrook was handed an elaborate illuminated scroll by Mayor Stopher thanking him for the gift of land to the City of Winchester on the Northwest slope of St Giles Hill, alongside the road now named Magdalen Hill. The City then reached out to one of the pre-eminent designers of the time, H E Milner, who sent a plan for the Park from his office in London to Winchester on 31 December 1894. A mere ten days later the Winchester Recreation Grounds Committee met and approved the go ahead with “work to be commenced at once in order to provide labour for the unemployed during the present severe weather”. By the end of January 1895 work was underway.
The Milner-designed area of the Park still has the distinct hallmarks of the designer’s hand with gently curving pathways, framed views and the planting of “flowering trees and shrubs” in groups and singly to a most pleasing effect. This section of the Park was deemed so important that it was fully enclosed with railings and four lockable gates, which are jewels in themselves, also dating back to 1895 and having been made by Jewell and Sons, iron founders of Winchester. The railings and gates are currently undergoing a well-deserved repainting by the Community Payback team.
In order to mark the commencement of the work 130 years ago this month as well as commemorating the contributions then by Mayors Stopher and Warren, it was most fitting for the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Russell Gordon-Smith, to mark the anniversary on Saturday 25 January 2025 by planting a small tree close to a spot indicated on the original Milner plan. It was especially fitting for the current Mayor to mark the occasion as he had a career as an accomplished landscape architect working around the World on a wide array of projects including parks. After the planting he spoke about the importance of parks to people and the importance of creating more liveable urban spaces.
In his address, the Mayor was keen to emphasise the achievement of former Mayors such as Thomas Stopher in making a mark on the City and he underlined the benefit to the City of the “ever present memorial” as the original gift of land was so described in 1894. He also praised the great benefit to the City of their communities of voluntary groups groups such as the Friends of St Giles Hill Park, who organised the event.
More than thirty Friends were joined by MP Danny Chambers and Councillors Rachel Aron and Nathan Eve who were keen to show their support. Sally Miller and Janet Hurrell of the Hampshire Gardens Trust were also in attendance. The Trust recognises the importance of the Park and featured research on it in their most recent magazine. It hopes to see the Park, especially the Milner extension, become more of a resemblance to the original plan.
Chair of the The Friends Dr Harry Mycock, welcomed the Mayor and after giving a potted history of the Park he outlined the activities of the volunteers in the charity and its aims and aspirations. He echoed the desire to continue helping with the maintenance of the Park whilst recognising the need for improvements to meet the “twenty first century considerations such as accessibility, information provision and well-being.”
The Friends would like to see the views and viewpoints improved and have aspirations to create walking routes in the Park such as one that celebrates the roles played by Mayors of the City over the years. He said “an overall Park Plan is needed and becoming ever more urgent due to the changing climate. Kew Gardens are planting trees right now in anticipation that by 2090 climate change will mean a loss or over 50% of their current trees.”
The Friends of St Giles Hill Park’s website provides information about the Park including its history, plans, news and events. It is simple and free to join as a Friend. Alongside regular Working Parties where new volunteers are most welcome, there are other activities such as guided walks covering topics such as the plants, trees and wildlife in the Park. Historical walks cover a rich seem of topics ranging from Medieval Fairs to the history and legacy of a superb Park, established in Victorian times for all to celebrate and enjoy today.
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