When a £1.6million project was revealed to revamp Hartlepool park

A project to transform a Hartlepool park was revealed in 1997.

Campaigners wanted to spend £1.6million on breathing new life into Ward Jackson Park.

The proposals included an upgrade for the bandstand and the fountain.

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The Lodge House was being considered for a conversion into a visitor centre and there were plans for a new cafeteria and toilets as well.

Major landscaping and tree planting was also being lined up.

Karon Purvis, the council’s parks development officer at the time, said: “This is a major scheme that will uplift the park for local residents and visitors to the town.”

Officials were hoping to get Lottery money so that they could start the work on Ward Jackson Park that summer.

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What do you love best about the parks of Hartlepool? Contact us with your thoughts.

If you preferred to stay indoors, how about this line-up on the television?

The Mrs Merton Show in Las Vegas was on BBC1 and it included interviews with celebrities Bo Derek and Engelbert Humperdinck.

The Antiques Show was on BBC2, or alternatively, you could watch Steve Davis in action in the World Snooker Championships.

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Family Affairs was on Channel 5 (it was the episode about Sally’s funeral) and a new series of Bramwell had started on ITV.

There was also lots of coverage on most sides about that year’s forthcoming General Election.

Anthea Turner was off to Brazil and Judith Chalmers was visiting Tunisia in Wish You Were Here ....?

We would love to hear more about your own memories of 1997, or any other aspect of Hartlepool history you would love to share.

Get in touch by emailing [email protected].