HISTORY: Walthamstow's Lloyd Park
5:05pm Friday 4th March 2011 in In Focus By Daniel Binns
HISTORY: Walthamstow's Lloyd Park
LLOYD Park in Walthamstow is today popularly associated with its most famous former resident William Morris.
But, as DANIEL BINNS discovered, the history of the park itself is just as fascinating.
Lloyd Park first opened to the public in 1900, but its existence as a grand garden expanse of flowers and trees stretches back much further.
Historians believe the land's use as a picturesque estate probably dates to the 16th century.
In the years that followed the site underwent many name changes including Cricklewood, Hawkes Capp and Whinnes Cap to reflect the various well-to-do families that each took up ownership of the estate.
The mansion at the park's Forest Road entrance, which was built in the 1760s, also underwent many similar title changes including The Winns, The Water House and the rather unoriginal 'The Mansion'.
In 1848 the Morris family moved in, and with them came their teenage son William, who would grow up to become a renowned designer, writer and socialist thinker.
He only lived there until 1856, but spent his years exploring its grounds, occasionally in his own specially built suit of armour.
But it was the estate's nineteenth century owners – the Lloyd family – that had the most momentous and lasting impact on the estate.
Following the death of his father Edward Lloyd, newspaper publisher Frank Lloyd surprised everyone when he announced he did not want to inherit the land and would be handing it over to the public instead.
A debate then sprung up over what to call the exciting new recreation ground. Mr Lloyd suggested the William Morris Park, but public gratitude for its benefactor, whipped up by Walthamstow MP Sam Woods, sealed its fate.
Following its grand opening on July 28 1900, Walthamstow Borough Council set to work sprucing up the land, adding new flowerbeds, a bandstand and a terrace.
In 1912 the park was enlarged when the council purchased a further 16 acres of adjoining land, opening it up as the linked Aveling Park.
The park's new island theatre was to follow in 1937, and in 1950 the William Morris Gallery was opened by prime minister Clement Attlee.
This year the park is set to undergo another radical transformation with a £4million refurbishment funded by the National Lottery and Waltham Forest Council.
Visit www.friendsoflloydpark.org.uk for more information on the park.
Helen, Walthamstow says...
9:09am Thu 10 Mar 11
By the time his father died and his family moved back to Water House (now the William Morris Gallery), he was 14 and just a tad too old for slipping into toy armour!
Instead he transferred his interests to medieval art and design, with results known across the globe.