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Drewett Park, Jarrow
Posted by peter cook on 27/12/2025, 6:30 am
An old undated postcard photo.
Re: Drewett Park, Jarrow
Posted by Michael Arbon on 27/12/2025, 7:51 am, in reply to "Drewett Park, Jarrow"
Another great photo Peter, wasn’t sure where the park was so asked google ai.
This photograph captures the original entrance to the Drewett Playing Fields in Jarrow, Tyne and Wear, around 1910–1912. Now more commonly known as Drewett’s Park, this site has a rich history tied to the local community and the nearby monastic ruins of St Paul's.
Historical Context
The land was originally part of the Jarrow Hall Estate, owned by Drewett Ormonde Drewett. In 1895, the local council requested the land for a public park, but Drewett refused. Following his death in 1910, the land was donated to the town by his heir (and nephew), Alfred Henry Chaytor, in Drewett's memory.
The park was officially opened in 1912. The gates shown in your image were a central feature, though they have changed significantly over the decades.
Details from the Photograph
The Plaque: The sign on the central pillar commemorates the gift. It reads: "Drewett Playing Fields. These grounds were given to the people of Jarrow by Alfred Chaytor in memory of Drewett Ormonde Drewett AD 1910."
The Bandstand: Visible in the background on the left is a Victorian-style bandstand. These were common in parks of this era and were used for Sunday afternoon concerts.
Wartime History: During WWII, the open space you see behind the gates was used as a barrage balloon site to protect the River Tyne and nearby shipyards from enemy bombing raids.
The Location: The park sits between the historic St Paul’s Church (home of the Venerable Bede) and Jarrow Hall, which today serves as a museum and cafe.
The Site Today
While the grand gates and pillars in the photo are no longer there in their original form, the area remains a protected green space. It was recently granted "Fields in Trust" status to ensure it remains a public recreation area for future generations. Recent archaeological digs (the Jarrow Archaeological Mission) have even uncovered Victorian domestic waste and wartime artifacts beneath the grass where the children in your photo are standing.
