Temple Memorial Park

Temple Memorial Park is a park in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England, given to the public by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1946 and named after William Temple, the former archbishop of Canterbury.

Temple Memorial Park
Plaque commemorating 1961 opening of Temple Memorial Park.
LocationSouth Shields
Coordinates54°58′03″N 01°25′21″W
Area175 acres
Opened12 July 1961 (1961-07-12)
Operated bySouth Tyneside Council

History

Temple Memorial Park was given to the people of South Shields by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners in 1946 to recognise their contribution to winning the war at sea in the Second World War.[1] The park was named after William Temple, the former archbishop of Canterbury, and was opened by his widow Mrs Frances Temple on 12 July 1961. But for many years was used as a rubbish dump by the local authority [1][2]

A cycle speedway track was built in 1967.[3]

St Cuthbert's church on King George Road burned down in the early 1970s and the North Pastures Farm (located within Temple Park) was demolished in the late 1960s.[4]

The centre has a gym and indoor sports facilities.

Constructed on the site of the former cycle speedway track, the Temple Park Centre was opened in 1977, offering facilities including a swimming pool, closed in October 2013[5] and demolished in 2018.[6]

Temple Park Junior school closed on 31 August 2011[7] and, after attacks by vandals, demolished in 2018.[8]

Later history

In March 2019, a local campaign sought to have the park recognised as a war memorial.[9]

A steep hill and circular route for mountain bikes was created within the park.

In November 2019, 840 trees were planted.[10]

Facilities

Temple Park has a route, often called the BMX track,[11][12] created specifically for mountain bikes, paths and green spaces for walkers and a skate park, playground, football court and car park. Since May 2016, the park has been used for five kilometre running events.[13]

The Temple Park Centre's indoor facilities include a gym, netball courts and rooms for fitness classes.[14]

References
  1. "Temple Memorial Park Public Open Space - South Tyneside Council". www.southtyneside.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  2. "Inauguration of Temple Memorial Park, South Shields - South Tyneside Libraries". southtynesidehistory.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  3. "South Shields". www.newcastlecyclespeedway.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  4. Braniff, Victoria (31 August 2017). "TEMPLE MEMORIAL PARK, PHASE I – DESK TOP STUDY" (PDF). South Tyneside Council planning. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  5. "Mayor of South Tyneside takes final swim at Temple Park Centre swimming pool - South Tyneside Council". www.southtyneside.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
  6. "Plans approved to bulldoze pool at Temple Park leisure centre in South Shields". www.shieldsgazette.com. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  7. "Temple Park Junior School - GOV.UK". www.get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  8. "Vandal-plagued former South Shields school to be demolished within weeks". www.shieldsgazette.com. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  9. Nightingale, Lisa (28 March 2019). "Fight continues to have South Shields' Temple Park recognised as war memorial". Shields Gazette.
  10. "Volunteers to plant 840 trees in Temple Memorial Park, South Shields after 'climate emergency' declared". www.shieldsgazette.com. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  11. "Unopened Stella bottle and Blackberry among curious items unearthed on BMX archaeology project". www.shieldsgazette.com. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  12. "A youth worker has had his say on the lost Temple Park BMX track as hundreds sign petition calling for new one". www.shieldsgazette.com. Retrieved 2020-05-20.
  13. "Temple Memorial Park 5km | Run Eat Sleep - South Shields". runeatsleep.co.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-07.
  14. "Fitness classes at Temple Park Centre - South Tyneside Council". www.southtyneside.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-05-04.
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