Sefton Park will be celebrating its 150th anniversary this year with a programme of eclectic events - and the first one has been revealed.
The iconic South Liverpool park was opened on May 20, 1872 by Prince Arthur who dedicated it "for the health and enjoyment of the townspeople". The beautiful Palm House, a popular and long-standing feature in the park, celebrated its 125th anniversary last year.
Now, the Palm House has announced a string of plans that will mark the Grade I listed park's important milestone. As part of the festivities, the Palm House's much-loved outdoor events will be ramped up this summer.
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Working closely with Liverpool City Council, the Palm House Presents will be offering live music from the Bandstand, kicking off in June, where warmer weather will hopefully stick around. It is hoped the park will provide an ideal place for families to gather on Sunday afternoons.
The free Sunday afternoon sessions will begin on June 19 with the much-loved Liverpool Community Choir starting proceedings. The choir will be performing a medley of genres, mixing well known classic hits alongside current chart toppers. The choir's performances will continue on selected weekends until September.
The week also sees the anniversary of the arrival of the Peter Pan sculpture which first came to the park in 1928. The sculpture, now homed in the grounds of the Palm House, has been a firm favourite among generations of families. As part of the National Lottery Heritage Fund signage and interpretation programme, the Palm House will be hosting free Peter Pan activities and crafts on the afternoon of Sunday, June 19 to help people celebrate this anniversary, too.
Kate Martinez, head of external relations of Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust, said: “In celebration of Sefton Park's 150th anniversary, our event programme will be spreading its wings this year with the Palm House Presents events taking place at other venues around the park. During lockdown we really appreciated how much our green spaces mean to us, and we are looking forward to being part of the special celebrations for this beautiful park.”
Cllr Dan Barrington, Liverpool City Council’s cabinet member for Environment, said: “We’re incredibly lucky in Liverpool to have such a vast array of beautiful parks and green spaces and Sefton Park is one of our finest jewels in the city’s crown. Its history reflects the grandeur and civic mindedness of our Victorian past and the legacy of that time still shines through today.
"Its 150th anniversary is going to be a great occasion and one in which I hope everyone can get involved in. The park is not just a majestic green lung, it has blossomed as a venue and space for a fantastically diverse range of events, be it Africa Oye to fun runs, fireworks displays to concerts and weddings, to family picnics.
"And the rebirth of the Palm House is arguably one of the county’s great restoration success stories of this century. Everyone in Liverpool has some connection to Sefton Park, in some way, and I hope we can reflect its unique role in our city through these special celebrations.”
Sefton Park is managed by Liverpool City Council.
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