TODAY (Friday) marks a special day for Barnoldswick's Victory Park - the 50th anniversary of its grand opening.

Still a thriving park which has kept up with the times - boasting a wheelpark among its many features - the park was officially opened amid the celebrations for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth.

Fraught with controversy, the opening came after years of deliberation over the stretch of wasteland that had been purchased after the First World War to commemorate those who had lost their lives.

But the actual development of the park only came about at the start of the 1950s.

The Herald reported at the time: "All past disputes will be forgotten, and the playing fields will stand forever as a reminder of what will be an outstanding event of the century."

More than 3,000 residents flocked to the park for the grand opening, which was performed by Vincent Bury, the chairman of the Parks Committee of Barnoldswick Urban District Council.

He had been one of the leading forces behind getting the park up and running, and he was supported by the chairman of the council Mr E Wild and other prominent citizens.

The whole event was given a gala feel with a procession leading to the park.

Reported as "the finest spectacle of colour and gaiety in Barnoldswick's history" it included colourful 'tableaux' by local school children, depicting the different faiths and nations of the Commonwealth.

The procession was so long that as the last vehicle went round the corner at the junction of Park Road and Rainhall Road, the Hazley-Mansfield Pipe Band had already reached the bottom of Manchester Road, taking in Park Road, Park Avenue and Manchester Road up to its junction with Park Avenue.

During the day fancy dress competitions were held, bowling and tennis tournaments and entertainment from several comic bands.

"Certainly the park could not have been given a more splendid or regal opening, nor could the public have shown more enthusiasm!" the Herald reported.

The park was created in order to build up the character as well as the physique of the town's young, and provide much needed recreation facilities.

Today the spirit of its creation is very much in evidence.

While youngsters can utilise the new wheelpark for their bikes and skate boarding tricks and the children's play area, the older members of the community can use the bowling green and tennis courts, or simply relax in the open green space, also popular with dog walkers.

Football and cricket clubs make good use of the park and the town council are also trying to encourage rugby and other sporting activities.

The town council is trying to put together a lottery bid to upgrade the facilities in the park, which after 50 years, are showing signs of wear and tear.

On the wishlist is a new pavilion and the creation of a wheelchair trail around the park.

The park is used to hold the annual bonfire and the bugs festival, used to accommodate the gala and still remains very much central to the community it serves, 50 years on.