Nostalgia: Saving the jewel in Glossop's crown

Howard Park and the Victorian swimming baths are often described as the 'jewel in Glossop's crown'.

But in 1964, one town councillor was suggesting that both should be turned into a high class housing estate. 

The idea came from Cllr Harry Bintliff who said it was in view of the amount of money the ten acre beauty spot was costing the council to maintain. 

He said selling or leasing it to private developers would mean a huge cash injection which would prevent the need to ‘put up the rates’. 

Most councillors and aldermen at the council meeting in March of that year were bitterly opposed to Cllr Bintliff’s suggestion. 

Alderman Harry Cooper described it as ‘stupid and disgusting.’ 

Cllr Frank Gibbs said: “We must keep this jewel.”

But Cllr Donald Moore quickly replied: “We cannot afford jewellery.” 

Every member of the council had their own views of the proposal, many expressing them forcibly. 

Perhaps not surprisingly the suggestion was defeated. Almost 60 years on the idea of Howard Park becoming a luxury housing estate seems amazing, but with cash in the council coffers tight, it could have happened.