Member Article

Peel L&P Invokes the past for ‘Hulton Park Happenings’

The Hulton family, the first owners of Bolton’s historic Hulton Park estate, may have gone, but their strong sense of community support and pride is being re-awakened this summer with a special programme of events curated by Peel L&P.

Hulton Park will throw wide its gates this Summer for Hulton Park Happenings, a community focused event series which will open up the Park for a special weekend featuring everything from historical guided park walks and outdoor cinema screenings to a family PlayFest, maypole dancing and even disco yoga.

The announcement of more Hulton Park Happenings follows this month’s hugely popular Community Archaeological Dig, which saw more than 400 people from all ages and walks of life join experts from the University of Salford to excavate the site of the former Hulton Hall.

The next happening in the line-up will be a late summer Garden Party which will take place on 3rd and 4th September, 11.30am – 6pm, inspired by the Hulton families own garden parties in the 18-1900s. Taking direct influence from the Hulton’s 1905 garden party, which featured The Wingates Temperance Band, the 2022 event will feature the modern-day Wingates Brass band. They will entertain guests and those taking part in the traditional Garden Games – featuring an egg and spoon race, quoits and a Tug of War competition – recreating events which were a feature of the Hulton family’s own garden party 117 years ago.

Peel L&P’s long-term vision for the circa 900-acre Hulton Park includes restoring parts of the estate back to its former glory, including the pleasure grounds – where the Happenings will take place. Peel L&P is also planning on restoring the historic walled kitchen garden and serpentine lake and creating new walking and cycling routes through the Park for the public to enjoy.

Emma Green, Project Manager for the Hulton Park Happenings at landowners Peel L&P says the events planned for the Garden Party weekend have been inspired by the estate’s long history as a cornerstone of the local community.

“Hulton Park Happenings is a celebration of place, culture and having fun. Hulton Park has such a fascinating history and by delving into local historical records and using the expert knowledge of our Peel Group archivist, we have established a detailed picture of the Hulton family and the Estate, which we have used to inspire our thinking and creativity for our Hulton Park Happenings event series.

“It is important we celebrate and learn from local history but also make our happenings as fun and inclusive for our new neighbours as possible. We hope these events will re-connect the community with the Estate, which has been closed to them for many decades. With such a vibrant and diverse line up of activities and partnerships, there will be something for everyone. It really is all happening at Hulton Park!”

Hulton Park Happenings Garden Party will welcome a special collaboration with Parentfolk, the community and family space curators who have previously collaborated with CBBC, Camp Bestival Shropshire, BRIO, NEXT, LUSH and Wonderbly to create memorable family content and experiences. 

Parentfolk are renowned for creating alternative family socials, completely different to regular family events, designed for ‘folk raising folk.’ They are set to deliver a beautifully curated and inviting play space, PlayFest, where kids play meet’s micro festival, with different activations from music, to play and make and do, to performances.

Nic Spindler, Founder, Parentfolk said: ‘We’re delighted to be teaming up with Peel L&P for an exciting weekend of culture, heritage, and family cool at the Hulton Park Happenings Garden Party. Having visited this beautiful and historical location we’re looking forward to being part of this community focused inclusive weekend, and we have had so much fun planning our signature PlayFest social space for families.

“Our event spaces always focus on opportunities for families to make memories together so expect some kids vs parents games, family style silent disco adventures, vibrant craft workshops, bake space, face art and glitter bar, plus comedy performances, storytelling, and lots of great music! We’re bringing some ParentFolk pals along with us too, so there’ll be fun activations from brands such as Harvey Nichols Kids too. We’re looking forward to this special Garden Party Weekend at Hulton Park Happenings, and can’t wait to bring an engaging line up for kids and their grown-ups.”

After a weekend packed full of activities, the Garden Party will close with a live ‘Sofa Cinema Club’ podcast recording and outdoor film screening. The hit podcast produced by Audio Always, is hosted by Coronation Street Stars, Colson Smith, Ben Price and Jack P. Shepherd. Garden Party goers will be invited to settle down, snuggle up, and set aside the rest of the late afternoon to immerse themselves in the film and relax. The film being screened is to be revealed soon.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by John Robson .