A little piece of pottery discovered in a Glossop park could hold the clue to a party attended by 2,000 children.

The fragment, found by Lynn Watson, seems to show it may be part of a souvenir beaker more than a century old.

She said: “I was on a recent stroll through Harehills Park and with an eye out for any pieces of old Victorian pottery and I saw a glint of white. 

“On turning the piece over I discovered it contained a tantalising piece of information about an occasion in 1904 related to children and the Glossop Co-operative Society.”

Research by Lynn, who lives near the park on Philip Howard Road, reveals details of a children’s gala day organised by the Glossop Co-operative Society on August 5, 1904. 

She said: “The event was attended by over 2,000 children. A huge event. I’m trying to visualise the whole of Glossopdale School, St Philip Howard and primary school children, all together in one place.

“The children marched through the streets of Glossop from their respective Co-op branches to Norfolk Square and then on to the fields at Pyegrove. They had supporting bands and decorated lorries and there were hundreds of spectators lining the streets. 

“At the playing fields, Marshall’s organised 1,200 children into sporting events. Ages ranged from under five to 14 years. 

“Some races had more than 200 children taking part. Prizes included balls, watches, penknives and postcard albums.”

Lynn does not know if commemorative beakers were produced and she would love to know if what she held in her had was a piece of that event from long ago.

She said: “I wonder if the child held on to the beaker as a memory of a happy day eventually throwing it away many years later. 

If anyone can complete Lynn’s story, please get in touch.

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