Children from King Edward Primary School, Mansfield, celebrated Titchfield Park’s 100th birthday at an activity day organised by Maun Conservation Group.

A total of 250 children wearing Edwardian costumes had a picnic in the town centre park, which was decorated with bunting made by the children.

They sang songs popular at that time before taking part in old-fashioned games and activities. These included hopscotch, marbles, hook-a-duck, hula hoop, skipping, splat-the-rat, and egg and spoon, and sack races. They did drawings based on pictures of what the park, which is owned and managed by Mansfield District Council, looked like in 1914.

Coun Philip Shields, portfolio holder for the environment at the council, was town crier, ringing a bell every 15 minutes so the children knew to change activities.

A duck race raised £150 for the Beacon Project, which supports homeless people.
The land has been used as a recreational area since 1880 and was formerly known as Nottingham Road Pleasure Grounds or The Water Meadows.

In 1914, the park was renamed Titchfield Park to mark the coming of age of the Duke of Portland’s son, the Marquis of Titchfield. At this time the Duke of Portland, the former landowner, gave the park to The Mansfield Corporation, now known as Mansfield District Council.