The above postcard shows a section of Victoria Road in Lundin LInks, as well a few of the Leven Road houses in the distance on the left. However, the expanse of grass on the foreground is the focus of this post. Known back then as 'Homelands Park' due to its proximity to the villa of Homelands. A range of community activities took place in the park. One example was amateur football, upon which the local press regularly reported. "Lundin Links Victoria was well beaten by 10 goals to 4 by the White Rose last Saturday, at Homelands Park" said the Fife Free Press of 8 October 1927. Three decades earlier the St Andrews Citizen (16 April 1898) covered 'Largo Crusoe v Renton'. "After six weeks' idle time the Crusoe met Renton, Kirkcaldy, in a friendly match at Homelands Park. Two goals were registered prior to the interval; but in the second half training told its tale. The visitors were in fine trim and won comfortably with a lead of three goals."
Later the same year (1898) the Largo and Newburn Horticultural Society held their annual show there. The St Andrews Citizen (13 August) noted that "it was a bit of an experiment to hold the show at Homelands Park, and one that did not have the favour of the conservatives of Upper Largo." Nevertheless, a record gate was reached (which would have been even higher if not for the "mean" folk who chose to view the event from outside the fence)! A spacious marquee had been erected and filled with fine exhibits - although the drought had apparently taken its toll on some produce. Sir John Gilmour formally opened the show and the architect Peter Henderson presided over the occasion. A number of sports took place. Sir John "had lent his road roller, and a cycle track was roughly mapped out" for cycle races. Ten teams competed in a five-a-side football competition. Largo Brass Band provided music.
Sunday School picnics, summer fetes and firework displays were other regular events. Around the turn of the century, the end of the summer season in Lundin Links was marked with elaborate fireworks displays. The "Amusements Committee" of Lundin Golf Club organised these occasions. An Evening Post account from 29 August 1900 captures the extravagance of the event...
"Last night nearly 2000 people assembled to witness the display...started with the liberation of a huge balloon, about 9 feet high, which rose without a hitch to an altitude of several thousand feet....Rockets of every available description and falling stars were poured forth for nearly two hours. The exhibition was diversified by several torch dances by two dozen of the most enthusiastic golfers in improvised costumes, the local band supplying the "piping". Very fine interludes were enjoyed by lighting up the adjoining woods of Homelands in sylvan style and despatching fixed repeating shots from the ground."
I'm not sure when the name 'Homelands Park' fell out of favour but I've always known the area as 'the common'. Memories of other events held here are welcome.
Later the same year (1898) the Largo and Newburn Horticultural Society held their annual show there. The St Andrews Citizen (13 August) noted that "it was a bit of an experiment to hold the show at Homelands Park, and one that did not have the favour of the conservatives of Upper Largo." Nevertheless, a record gate was reached (which would have been even higher if not for the "mean" folk who chose to view the event from outside the fence)! A spacious marquee had been erected and filled with fine exhibits - although the drought had apparently taken its toll on some produce. Sir John Gilmour formally opened the show and the architect Peter Henderson presided over the occasion. A number of sports took place. Sir John "had lent his road roller, and a cycle track was roughly mapped out" for cycle races. Ten teams competed in a five-a-side football competition. Largo Brass Band provided music.
Sunday School picnics, summer fetes and firework displays were other regular events. Around the turn of the century, the end of the summer season in Lundin Links was marked with elaborate fireworks displays. The "Amusements Committee" of Lundin Golf Club organised these occasions. An Evening Post account from 29 August 1900 captures the extravagance of the event...
"Last night nearly 2000 people assembled to witness the display...started with the liberation of a huge balloon, about 9 feet high, which rose without a hitch to an altitude of several thousand feet....Rockets of every available description and falling stars were poured forth for nearly two hours. The exhibition was diversified by several torch dances by two dozen of the most enthusiastic golfers in improvised costumes, the local band supplying the "piping". Very fine interludes were enjoyed by lighting up the adjoining woods of Homelands in sylvan style and despatching fixed repeating shots from the ground."
I'm not sure when the name 'Homelands Park' fell out of favour but I've always known the area as 'the common'. Memories of other events held here are welcome.
RSS Feed
