Palmer Park, Reading
Encyclopedia
Palmer Park is a public park in Reading
, England
. The land for the park was given to the town in 1889 by the Palmer family, proprietors of the Huntley & Palmers
biscuit factory, and contains a statue of George Palmer.
Popular with all of the local residents for various activities, it often hosts religious festivals, sports tournaments and small special events. In the past, Carter's Steam Fair
visited the park every year. However, they stopped the annual occasion due to the discovery of ground subsidence in the park. Chalk mines were found underneath the park and the weight of the fairground rides posed great danger. Still today, areas around the park are fenced off to stop people from falling into suspected areas of subsidence.
, a velodrome
and athletics
stadium
. Included in the park is Palmer Park Library, two playgrounds, Palmer Park Bowling Club, two playgrounds and a number of football pitches which are used every week for local matches. During the summer months, some of the goal posts are removed to make way for a cricket pitch.
Reading, Berkshire
Reading is a large town and unitary authority area in England. It is located in the Thames Valley at the confluence of the River Thames and River Kennet, and on both the Great Western Main Line railway and the M4 motorway, some west of London....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The land for the park was given to the town in 1889 by the Palmer family, proprietors of the Huntley & Palmers
Huntley & Palmers
Huntley & Palmers was a British firm of biscuit makers originally based in Reading, Berkshire. The company created one of the world's first global brands and ran what was once the world’s largest biscuit factory. Over the years, the company was also known as J...
biscuit factory, and contains a statue of George Palmer.
Popular with all of the local residents for various activities, it often hosts religious festivals, sports tournaments and small special events. In the past, Carter's Steam Fair
Carter's Steam Fair
Carter's Royal Berkshire Steam Fair is a travelling fair based in south-east England. The fair is known for restoring old amusement rides and trucks, and has been featured on Antiques Roadshow. In addition, a limited edition Corgi die-cast toy model of some vehicles and rides has been produced...
visited the park every year. However, they stopped the annual occasion due to the discovery of ground subsidence in the park. Chalk mines were found underneath the park and the weight of the fairground rides posed great danger. Still today, areas around the park are fenced off to stop people from falling into suspected areas of subsidence.
Park facilities
The park also contains Palmer Park StadiumPalmer Park Stadium
Palmer Park Stadium is located in Palmer Park, Reading. It contains a velodrome and athletics stadium. Set in acres of parkland, the stadium provides a focal point for a variety of indoor and outdoor leisure activities, and is also used by the Berkshire Renegades for training-Velodrome:The...
, a velodrome
Velodrome
A velodrome is an arena for track cycling. Modern velodromes feature steeply banked oval tracks, consisting of two 180-degree circular bends connected by two straights...
and athletics
Athletics (track and field)
Athletics is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing, and walking. The most common types of athletics competitions are track and field, road running, cross country running, and race walking...
stadium
Stadium
A modern stadium is a place or venue for outdoor sports, concerts, or other events and consists of a field or stage either partly or completely surrounded by a structure designed to allow spectators to stand or sit and view the event.)Pausanias noted that for about half a century the only event...
. Included in the park is Palmer Park Library, two playgrounds, Palmer Park Bowling Club, two playgrounds and a number of football pitches which are used every week for local matches. During the summer months, some of the goal posts are removed to make way for a cricket pitch.