The Friends of Bailey Park is a group that was established in 2009.
Its members are passionate about their park, and are committed to working towards restoring it to its former glory. Together with the Town Council, their aim is to create a park that we can all be proud of. Their year begins in March with an Open Evening where similar groups and members of the public learn about what has been achieved in the previous year and what plans are in place for the current year.
Achievements in 2014
Spring Litter picking and planting of the new Sensory Garden and park flower beds began every Thursday evening between 6-7pm.
With support from the local History Society an Interpretation board was erected to commemorate the 100yrs centenary of WW1 near the site where a WW1 Tank once stood.
Summer A successful Fun Day for the community was held to celebrate the Old Swimming Pool where a mural was painted on the site and various other activities were organised including serving OXO drinks and jam sandwiches, which proved very popular.
Other fund raisers included Table Top Stalls in Saturday Markets and a Coffee Morning in the Mayor’s Parlour.
Autumn Friends helped organise parking in Bailey Park for the Abergavenny Food Festival.
They joined forces with Rotary, the Steam Rally Association and MCC to erect a model steam engine on the plinth in the walled garden. This is proving a great favourite with the youngsters.
Future Plans The wish list grows as the volunteers continue to safeguard the Park’s future and have ideas for its further development.
However more volunteers are needed and anyone who thinks they might be interested should come to the next Open Evening at Abergavenny Rugby Club on 18th March at 7pm.
You can keep up to date with news and events by searching Friends of Bailey Park on Facebook.
To:- The Friends of Bailey Park.
I am looking for a copy of a photograph of the World War 1 Tank which was on the plinth in Bailey Park, Abergavenny between 1919 and 1940. I have tried Abergavenny Museum with no success.
I have an interest in ex military British armoured vehicles and have regularly displayed my 1942 Daimler Dingo Scout Car, 1959 Daimler Ferret Armoured Car and 1945 Ford GPW [Jeep] at the steam rallies over the last 35 years.
If you are able to assist or can direct me in the right direction, it would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Barrie Richards
Hello Barrie,
I have failed to find a photo of this tank. It was reported in the Abergavenny Chronicle at the time but they rarely showed photos in those days. The tank was brought to the G.W.R. station, which I think is Monmouth Road,and it would appear to have got to Bailey Park under its own steam. If you haven’t seen the Chronicle items, and you haven’t got access to Welsh Newspapers on Line, let me know at beale.george@yahoo.com and I can forward it to you.
regards George Beale
George,
Thank you for your reply and apologies for my late reply.
I have read the articles in the Abergavenny Chronicle, dated 19/12/1919, 26/12/1919 and 28/03/1919, and as you quite rightly stated they didn’t tend to put many, if any, photographs in the Chronicle at that time.
I have managed to get photographs of the ‘Tank Bank’ Julian [113] in Abergavenny and on the Monnow bridge at Monmouth.
I have, yesterday, been given three photographs of the Abergavenny Presentation Tank. It was a MkIV female, numbered 242, which I believe was a Home Forces training tank and probably came from Wool in Dorset.
Any further info give me a call on …
Barrie@griff98.fsnet.co.uk