Kings' Park's 80th Birthday Celebrations

On the 29th June 1938 Retford gained, what we now fondly describe as "the jewel in the heart of the town", the beautiful Kings' Park.

Now, some 8 decades later, there are exciting plans afoot to mark Kings' Park's 80th Birthday.

Bassetlaw District Council, in partnership with EES Showhire and supported by Retford Business Forum, Retford Civic Society and other bodies, are inviting everyone to join them in celebrating the 80th Anniversary of this outstanding, national accredited, Green Flag site.

 

Find out the latest information about Kings' Park's 80th Birthday Celebrations here.

The celebration will be a vibrant and inclusive event with wide appeal to families and visitors of all ages from the local area and beyond.  It’ll certainly be enjoyable and memorable and will also give local businesses, community groups and local talent an opportunity to raise their profile.

These are just some of the ideas now being considered and developed to create a memorable 80^th Anniversary.

Theme

The aim is to make the event and activities a trip back in time, with significant focus on the 1930's..... imagine garden parties, swing bands, vintage cars, old film footage on the big screen, afternoon tea, costumes, food and music.

The Splash pool area in the park can be used to recreate a 1930s Butlins experience. Think Redcoats, deck chairs, donkey rides and a few comedy competitions... how about a 'knobbly knees' competition?!  Perhaps a Photo Booth with the period costumes, hats and props? Cake Competitions, Funniest Veg, etc?

Bassetlaw Museum will host displays and activities with a 1930's bus running between the Museum, Town Square and Kings Park gates.

Opportunities for Retford’s Business Community

Working closely with the Retford Business Forum, it is hoped that Retford businesses throughout the town will join in the celebrations with special window displays and fancy dress reminiscent to the 1930's.  The celebrations are aimed to involve everyone from the smallest business to every local community group that wishes to participate in some way.

It is intended to bring the Town into the Park and local Retford businesses are encouraged to be the ones providing all the stalls and food concessions.  If you’re a local butcher can you do a barbecue or hog roast?  If you’re a Retford food outlet of any sort, or a local artisan can you provide sandwiches or crepes, picnic hampers, non-alcoholic drinks, fresh fruits, cakes, ice cream and afternoon teas with strawberries & cream or other produce?

If you run or are part of a local Community group such as the Scouts, WI, Lions, Civic Society, etc, or a local School, here’s your chance to showcase yourselves and raise vital funds for your group or school. Come and stage your own activities within a traditional garden party setting; this could include games like traditional skittles, catch the rat, tin can alley, roll a penny, to name a few... the list is endless!  Why not dress up in 30’s costumes to add to the general atmosphere?

Craft Stalls

Craft traders of every kind are invited take a pitch.  Contact the people below to obtain a booking form.  Access to generator power can be provided at an additional cost. All traders are required to hold their own public liability insurance, copies of which will be requested prior to the event.

Entertainment

A variety of entertainment will be the highlight of the day’s events.  Using the newly erected Performance Space, local musicians are invited to come and play music reminiscent of 1930's together with performances from local dance academies, choirs, schools, theatre groups and community groups.

It is also intended to use the Park’s formal gardens and Rose Garden which will provide a beautiful setting and backdrop to showcase the wonderful and diverse local talent that we have in and around Retford.

Big Screen Entertainment

It is hoped to put together a variety of footage and photographs of 'Life in the Times - 1930's Retford' with the help of Bassetlaw Museum. This would involve a fascinating and engaging illustration of work, leisure, transport, fashion, shops, schools, sport and local events from the period.  This would also feed the live action and entertainment from the Performance Area and various activities around the park throughout the event.

Education and Information Zone

Hopefully there will be an 'Educational Zone’ illustrating what life was like in the 1930's with possibly a timeline of how the park has changed over the years.

Publicity

Look out for further information from Bassetlaw District Council, the Retford Times and other local publications, from ourselves In North Notts, as well as through local radio, social media networks and more.

If you’re a local business, please can you help the promotional efforts by displaying a poster and hand out leaflets to your customers?  Good promotion will mean thousands of visitors to Retford on the day with increased footfall for retailers and an opportunity to showcase your uniqueness & diversity.

Sponsorship

If you or your firm would like to sponsor any part of the event please contact either of the people below to find out more.

Contacts

If you’d like to know further details, be part of the day’s event, or would like to lend a hand in the event’s organisation, don’t hesitate to contact these people:

Carol White, EES Showhire, Office: 01777 704633, Mobile:07539 184145,
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Julie Foye, BDC Parks and Open Spaces, Office: 01909 534525,
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.