Jubilee Park

East of Beechburn Beck is an area of woodland known as Jubilee Park. Originally called Howden Plantation, it existed many years before
Howden-le-Wear became a village.
The Shafto family owned the area of land but eventually sold to The Bitchburn Coal Co.,and the minerals were extracted. As the village developed the Park became an ideal place to unwind after a hard days work.
Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897 was an occasion to name many streets, houses and parks, and Howden Park was no exception.
In the Park itself there used to be a 'powder magazine' about a hundred yards from the gates on the South side and further along a tunnel went under the road where a tub line carried the coal from the pits to the coke ovens and railway sidings.
In the 1930's the pits contributed a small amount of money per ton and a grant was given to construct tennis courts and a bowling green. Red ash was led from the Flat (near Greenhead) to the top end of the field and the courts laid where the BMX track is now.

Entertainment in the Park

A bandstand was brought from the Newcastle Northeast Coast Exhibition of 1929 and erected at the bottom of tree covered bank side. This location gave a perfect view of the bandstand and all the famous bands that played there. Mr. George Brown took his role as band steward very seriously. Dressed in tail suit and high silk hat and white gloves, he made announcements and took requests from the audience.
Older people recall the days of 'Howden Show held in the Park and were very sorry when 1934 saw the end of Show Days. The beginning of Show Day saw special trains bringing people to Howden Station, wagons brought livestock from the station to the field. Horses were tethered to the top fence; there were tents for small livestock and flowers. After the 'Show Day' ceased the park was still used as the venue for Carnivals, Sports Days, Tennis Matches, Football Matches and Band Concerts. Travelling show-people often visited with their amusement stalls and rides.

Today, the park is still regularly used by people exercising their dogs, cyclists on improvised tracks, pedestrians, and by elderly, local Walking Club members on organised strolls.
Paths and tracks are well surfaced and easily followed. The area is very natural and informal, with mature trees, an area of open playing field, and, in the valley, the Beechburn stream. There is an abundance of wildlife and Jubilee Park remains a great asset to the village.

The BEECHBURN BECK and HOWDEN-le-WEAR JUBILEE PARK in Springtime.