Consecration of St John's Church

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1407: There were some controversial points behind the consecration of, and the first Mass at, St John's church by Peterborough's mitred Abbot Genge. Philip Repington, the Bishop of Lincoln, should have attended but, it was claimed, he had more pressing engagements. Bishop Repington was chaplain and confessor to King Henry VI and it was 'suggested' that he was too busy chasing promotion to come to Peterborough. Was it a coincidence that he became a cardinal in 1408? (Bull, J&V., A History of Peterborough Parish Church - St John the Baptist 1407-2007; Mackreth, Donald, Peterborough - History & Guide,Sutton, 1994)

Taken from: The Peterborough Book of Days by Brian Jones, The History Press, 2014.

Start of the Nene Park Story

1968

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Prior to the creation of Nene Park, there were very few recreational green spaces in Peterborough. In 1968, a year after the New Towns Act, the Peterborough Development Corporation was established and land from the Embankment in the city centre to Wansford, seven miles west, was purchased from landowners including Earl Fitzwilliam. Gravel extractors Amey Roadstone approached the Corporation and negotiations began to ensure that the resulting lakes were planned and landscaped carefully for the best possible visitor experience. Plans also included space for car parking, a water sports centre, a lake specifically for water sports and facilities including a café and shop.

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Peterborough's First Skating Rink

1877

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Many Peterborians may have fond memories of roller skating at the Wirrina in years gone past, but the history of roller skating starting 100 years earlier.

The Peterborough Skating Rink opened on 2nd April 1877 and it was quite the place to be! Far from being a simple wooden floor to skate on with the ability to hire skates, an evening at the rink was a full evening of entertainment. Mademoiselle Lily an 'accomplished lady skater' and gymnasts, were two of the draws, but the most impressive were events such as bonfire night which featured a Guy Fawkes, outdoor illuminations and two full bands!

The skating rink appears to have been part of Fitzwilliam Hall, the largest indoor space in the city at that time. An advert of November 1877 states:

'On Monday Evening, November 26th, will be performed, at the Fitzwilliam Hall and Skating Rink, Peterborough, Handel's Oratorio "Messiah"'1

Another advert refers to it as 'Flitzwilliam's Grand Skating Rink.'² The skating rink offered a large event most weekends, with live bands, trapeze artists, and 'fancy skating', all at great cost. By July 1878 it housed a Hound Show, being referred to as a 'covered skating rink'. By September of the same year the rink was turned into a theatre to show Robinson Crusoe with the line 'The theatre is intended to be permanent'.3 However the skating rink continued for several years thereafter and continued to be the home of the Hound Show and theatre performances.

^Reference

^{1 Peterborough Advertiser, Saturday 24th November 1877, page 2, col 2}

^{2 The Era, Saturday Saturday 28th April 1878, page 20}

^{3. Peterborough Advertiser, Saturday 28th December 1878,}

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Recreation , Earl Fitzwillam , Skating , Fitzwilliam Hall , Broadway

Skating Rink Destroyed by Fire

1910

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Peterborough's first roller skating rink opened in 1877 and several graced the streets of Peterborough over the coming years. None appeared to be as unfortunate as the Princess Skating Rink, however. The rink, also known as the Princess Royal Skating Rink, was destroyed by fire on Saturday 2nd April 1910 in the morning whilst about twenty people were in the building. Everybody managed to escape unhurt, but the building was completely destroyed.¹

This is likely to be the same rink that in 1909 was wrecked in a storm. At that time the Princess Skating Rink was not in a building, but housed under a canvas roof. The storm that affected the city left the 'canvas roof torn to shreds and floor ripped up.' Damage to the rink was thought to be in the region of £1,000.²

The Peterborough Pavilion Rink appeared in 1911 offering 'the most up to date skating rink in the country.' It contained dressing rooms for ladies and gentlemen and offered children's sessions on a Saturday morning. Most if not all of the skating rinks were sited on land between Park Road and Broadway (which was created many years after the first rink), but as the home to the city's various cinemas and theatres, they would be well located for pleasure-seekers.³

References

1 Northampton Chronicle and Echo, Saturday 2nd April 1910, page 4, col 3

2. Lancashire Evening Post. Saturday 4th December 1909, page 4, col 3

3 Peterborough Advertiser, Saturday 14th January 1911, page 5, col 1

Resources

Recreation , Fire , Skating , Broadway

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Consecration of St John's Church

Information

Start of the Nene Park Story

1968

Information

Resources

Peterborough's First Skating Rink

1877

Information

Resources

Skating Rink Destroyed by Fire

1910

Information

Resources

Start of the Nene Park Story

Peterborough's First Skatin…

Skating Rink Destroyed by Fire

Please rotate your device

Consecration of St John's Church

Information

Start of the Nene Park Story

1968

Information

Resources

Peterborough's First Skating Rink

1877

Information

Resources

Related stories

Skating Rink Destroyed by Fire

1910

Information

Resources

Related stories

Start of the Nene Park Story

Peterborough's First Skatin…

Skating Rink Destroyed by Fire