How Blakers Park began ...
Alderman John George Blaker had done well during his career in the late 19th century Brighton. He became Mayor three times and by the age of 43 had received a Knighthood. He then built a substantial house at 79 Stanford Avenue while he was Chairman of Brighton Council’s Works Committee. He also owned several parcels of land in the area, some of which he sold to builders.
In 1894 he gave the land now known as Blakers Park to the town. By doing so he also enhanced the area where he lived as it meant there was an open space around the corner from his home, rather than more rows of houses.
The small Burgundy Book of the Corporation of Brighton manual for 1894/5 states: ‘The Blaker recreation ground is a piece of land situated between Stanford Avenue and Preston Drove, containing 4 acres, 1 rod, 1112 poles, generously presented to the Corporation by Mr. Alderman J.G. Blaker in 1893, for the free use-and enjoyment of the inhabitants and visitors of Brighton for the purposes of recreation.’
On 10th November 1894 the park was officially opened. Brighton and Hove Herald reported the dedication of the Park by Alderman Dr. Ewart to the public ‘for ever’.
The Mayor came on the scene in his robes of office accompanied by the Mayoress; the mace bearer added the touch of dignity which the emblem of authority bestowed upon him; the Mayor had his piper in full Highland costume in readiness to play a skirl on the bagpipes, bright flags fluttered (a little sadly in the damp air).
Alderman Blaker was present with his wife and his daughter who was dressed in a ‘Kate Greenaway’ cloak and hood.He handed to the Mayor a silver gift key as an outward and visible sign of the gift of the ground to the town.Then the piper and mace bearer to the front, everyone walked from gate to gate of the enclosure and that completed the ceremony.Some speeches were afterwards delivered by the Mayor who spoke in warm and grateful terms of Alderman Blaker’s’ generosity and also of his gift to the town of £1,000 to be offered to him for releasing the restriction covenants of the Sanatorium ground at the top of Bear Road.
After the speeches Miss Ewart planted a tree in commemoration of the event and light refreshments were served in a tent.
