Let’s be honest, if someone asked where Fenton is you’d probably direct them to the stunning town hall in Albert Square alongside the huge Gothic Christchurch. The rest of Fenton seems to be one splash of industry, retail and colleges. But there is something pretty special here, and that is its leisure and recreation facilities prominent among which are its parks.

 “In my opinion we have the finest recreation amenities in Stoke on Trent,” declares Fenton councillor and Lord Mayor Derek Capey. “There are two important parks here, Mount Pleasant recreation ground including the Lido and cricket ground. But for my money the jewel is Fenton Park off Victoria Road, a spectacular oasis in the middle of chaotic engineering and commerce.”

Gates to Fenton Park - on Victoria Road
The main gates were moved to Victoria Road
when the park was extended in 1957

"That’s the beauty of Fenton Park,” says Derek. “You simply encounter these delightful corners almost accidentally. Throughout my life I’ve been involved in sport, and I’m pleased to say the main attraction at Fenton Park is the excellent football facilities that are provided here. There are about seven full size pitches which are used by a number of schools and amateur clubs. And these are supported by some impressive changing rooms. During the day the park is well-used by local people and there is a superb brand new children’s play area.”

Derek is modest enough not to recall the important part he played in getting the children’s amenity off the ground. But then again, he’s always twigged what Fentonians want; after all he and his family ran a fish and chip shop here for donkey’s years.

“Fenton Park is a designated sports park,” he adds. “We’re just waiting for the council to get cracking, though we do host the fantastic fireworks show each year. But I do know the Lawn Tennis Association want to introduce training facilities in Stoke on Trent. It would be perfect if Fenton Park could be linked to this.”

The tennis courts are little used these days. Indeed one in particular has a carpet of moss covering it. Another has been transformed into a basketball court, though it’s not clear how much it is used.

“Fenton is one of the later of the City parks,” says historian Steve Birks. “It was opened in 1924 on the site of Broadfield Colliery at Fenton Low, and was extended in 1957 when it was increased to 36 acres at a cost of £40,000. These days it the third largest park in the Potteries, bigger than Burslem’s and Tunstall. Aside from the excellent sporting facilities the notable rockeries have all been built using the former colliery spoil providing a historic industrial link.”

In April 1924 the Sentinel covered the opening ceremony noting particularly Mayor Frank Collis’s colourful tribute – ‘someone here has made the desert smile,’ he said. And it’s interesting to note that Mr Collis was one of the federated borough’s last mayors. In 1928 the new City of Stoke on Trent had its first Lord Mayor. Fenton’s Derek Capey is 80^th in this line. 

The water fountain presented by William Baker
photo: 2001 when the fountain was still in Fenton Park

“It was the Baker family who built Fenton,” Steve continues. “In fact it’s possible that Fenton would not have been one of the six towns had the Bakers not provided work and built the town hall and the church. The family had no connection with the park but they did provide the prominent drinking fountain in Victoria Square which spent a short while in Fenton Park when the road layout was improved. Last year it was restored and is now back in City Road where it was originally situated.”