Thornes Park, Clarence Park and Holmfield Park - CHaT Parks
Thornes Park, Clarence Park and Holmfield Park
On Saturday morning, June 14th, there will be the Race for Life 2025 events, organised by Cancer Research UK in Thornes Park (Horbury Road, Wakefield, WF2 8TY). The 10k starts at 09.30, the 5k and 3k at 11am, and then the Pretty Muddy Kids at 12.30 and the Pretty Muddy 5k at 13.30.
This means that the Wakefield Thornes parkrun is cancelled. [Read more…] about Race for Life 2025
The line up for this year’s Clarence Park Music Festival is here! Clarence Shockwaves, organised by the Wakefield Music Collective, is on Saturday July 26th and Sunday July 27th from 12 noon to 9pm at the Clarence Park Bandstand.
It’s going to be a fantastic weekend.
The Flower Garden in Thornes Park will be getting ready to put on the annual beautiful show next week. Council staff will be planting out the plants starting on Monday (2nd June) and any help we can give will be greatly appreciated. With luck the work will be finished in the week. Work will go on from about 8.00am to 4.00pm, but if you can come along and put in any time that will be good.
Will Poppleton from the Council will be in charge. Steve Brear, who has managed the project for the last many years, has now retired from the Council, but we think he will be there to help and advise.
Just a little of your time can help make all the difference!
There are still tickets available for the Family Fun World Bee Day event next Sunday (18th May) at Thornes Park from 10-4pm. It should be a great day and the weather is looking glorious. Ticket links and scanning the QR code on the image below:
@stgeorgeslupset
@grow_wakefield
@mindful_movers
@wakefieldcollege
The Friends of CHaT Parks will be holding their first car boot sale of 2025 on Sunday May 18th. Sellers can arrive from 7 am to 12 noon, with buyers from 8 am. The cost per vehicle is £10 car; £2 for a trailer and £15 for a van/car sideways.
Entry point is off the Denby Dale Road (on the same side as the Bandstand – banners and stewards will be on the roadside to assist) and the postcode is WF2 8DY. Exit onto Park Avenue. Items for sale should be second- hand. No knives or weapons. See you there!
Wakefield School of Tennis will be holding a morning camp at Thornes Park on Thursday 29th May from 10-1pm. This camp is recommended for ages 5 to 13, for a skill level of improver and beginner, with coach Dwight Brown.
Come and get your child on court for a morning’s tennis at Thornes Park. All equipment is provided. Your child will need a drink/snacks for the session.The cost is £10 and you can book at:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ThornesPark/Coaching/Camps
Want to give back to your community, meet new people, and spend time outdoors? The Friends Group is looking for volunteers to help with a variety of fun and rewarding tasks! Whether you have 10 minutes or a few hours, your help makes a huge difference.
Ways to Get Involved:
Games of Thornes – Help run the ticket office for tennis, putting green, bowls and pitch and putt.
Weather Station – Take simple 10-minute morning readings for the Met Office.
Plant Care – Water and tend to bedding plants in the nursery.
Secret Garden – Help keep up our wonderful Secret Garden with weeding, pruning and tidying.
Car Boot Sales – Help with setup and parking at our popular community events.
No experience needed—just enthusiasm and a little time to spare! Join us for fresh air, exercise, great company, Citizen Coin and the satisfaction of making a difference.
Contact for more information at: volunteer@chatparks.org.uk
Fireworks at Thornes Park
Just a reminder that the fireworks display at Thornes Park (WF2 8QE) is on Saturday 2nd November, 2024. The evening will feature a low-impact firework display at 6pm, for those that don’t enjoy loud noises, before the spectacular main event at 7.30pm. Rhubarb Radio will be hosting stage entertainment including children’s entertainment, DJ and saxophone set, you can also expect funfair rides and delicious street food.
This event is brought to you by Wakefield Council in partnership with the Friends of Clarence, Holmfield and Thornes Parks.
The Friends Group have played a major role in making sure this event takes place and we will have a gazebo next to the main access road to advertise our presence and to give out leaflets. We will try to recruit new members who will be very welcome to our group.
So when you come to the display please stop and say hello to our Friends volunteers in the gazebo!
*Please note, that this display will not feature a bonfire. Sparklers and personal fireworks are prohibited.*
You can arrive from 4:30pm onwards and the event is free.
https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/thornes-park-fireworks/
Update
The Wakefield Thornes parkrun is cancelled on Saturday morning 2nd November because of the evening event.
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Clocks go back
Don’t forget that on the 27th October clocks will turn back by one hour, as we change from British Summer Time (BST) to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). It will provide an extra hour in bed for many and it also signals the start of shorter days and longer nights until the winter solstice on 21 December.
So if you’re in the junior parkrun, the French Bulldogs walk or the miniature railway in the Park on Sunday remember to change your clock!
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Halloween Fancy Dress walk for the Wakefield French Bulldogs & Friends
This Sunday – October 27th – is the annual Halloween walk for the amazing Wakefield French bulldogs & Friends group. Costumes are always fun to see and the group will meet at 11am at the car park by the Athletic Stadium in Thornes Park. Their walk lasts an hour. Please give them a wave if you see them!
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Wakefield School of Tennis will be offering two junior sessions on Saturday – 19th October – in Thornes Park. For 6-8 years old it will be from 1.45-2.30pm and for the 9-15 year olds from 2.30-3.30pm. These are free sessions with qualified coaches and just need booking:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ThornesPark/Coaching/Junior
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Weeding Wednesday on October 9th
We are planning another Weeding Wednesday on October 9 in the Rose Garden. This time it will be just our volunteers, we will not have the Council staff who came last week
We will be there from 11.00 until 3.00, weather permitting. Please come for however long you can manage. As before we will have a selection of tools, but if you have a favourite hoe, fork or spade etc please bring it along and don’t forget stout footwear, strong gloves and possibly a kneeling pad.
Fingers crossed for decent weather.
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Guided walk round the Park on Saturday 21st September
Have you ever wondered about the history of the park as you stroll around? Well, now’s your chance to find out how the Park was first proposed. There will be a gentle stroll investigating the origins and the historic setting of Thornes Park, Thornes House and the parkland we enjoy today. This is a free event organised by the Friends of CHaT Parks. All welcome. Meet in the car park opposite the Athletics Stadium at 2.30 on Saturday 21 September. The walk should suit all abilities and take approx. 90 mins following a circular route around the former Thornes House site, alongside the Lake and back to the car park opposite the Athletic Stadium. It is one of a number of heritage walks around the three Parks hosted by the Friends of CHaT Parks as part of Open Heritage Week 2024. Walk organisers Ian Deighton and Chris Welch from the Friends Group.
More details can be found on:
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Weeding Wednesday returns!
The Friends are holding a weeding session on Wednesday 18th September in the lovely Rose Garden. The Council will have some staff working on the project and we hope that many of you will join as well
The aim, as before, is to tidy up the beautiful Rose Garden in Thornes Park. If you have an hour or even just 10 minutes to spare could you please come along to the Rose Garden on Wednesday. No equipment or experience necessary, but you will need stout shoes and bring along gardening gloves if you have them. If you have favourite tools, please bring them as well.
We all value our Park, so please come along and join us any time from 10am to 2pm.
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Car Boot Sale, September 15th 2024
The Friends of CHaT Parks will be holding their final car boot sale of 2024 on Sunday September 15th. Sellers can arrive from 7 am to 12 noon, with buyers from 8am. The cost per vehicle is £10 car; £2 for a trailer and £15 for a van. Entry point is off the Denby Dale Road (on the same side as the Bandstand – banners and stewards will be on the roadside to assist) and the postcode is WF2 8DY. Exit onto Park Avenue. Items for sale should be second-hand. No knives or weapons.
See you there!
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Pay and Play in Thornes Park this summer
Don’t forget that the pay and play games in Thornes Park are open every day in the school holidays, from about 10.30am to 5pm.There’s tennis, pitch and putt, putting and bowls to choose from, so come along and have a go!
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The Opening of Thornes Park – 2nd August 1924
On this day – the 2nd of August 1924 – Thornes Park was opened by the Mayor, Alderman John Tennant, completing the trio of parks in Wakefield.
James Milnes, a Wakefield cloth merchant, bought land at Thornes in 1778 and in the subsequent year work began on Thornes House. The house was designed by John Carr and built in 1779-8. It seems probable that emparkment took place alongside the construction of the house, encompassing the area subsequently known as Thornes Park and covering over 100 acres. The areas to the east, which would later form the core of the current park area, were then farmland. In 1920 the Wakefield Corporation acquired the entire Thornes estate, with 92 acres added to the public park in 1924, and the house itself with 20 acres became a grammar school. The original building was destroyed by fire in 1951 but was rebuilt and reopened in 1956.
[Source: photo of Thornes House by kind permission of Wakefield Libraries and Museums, www twixtaireandcalder.org.uk]
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Thornes Park Miniature Railway Open Day
Saturday 3rd August 2024 sees the return of Thornes Park Miniature Railway open day. This event invites lots of visiting engines from various clubs around the country. A huge variety of steam engines and even the odd steam car visit to run on the site.
Passenger hauling from roughly 10.30am right through to 5 or 6pm.
Rides £1 per person, cash or card payment accepted.
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Clarence Unleashed comes to the Park!
It’s only a few days now until the Clarence Unleashed festival in the Park. Wakefield Music Collective present the Clarence Park Festival on Saturday and Sunday, July 27th and 28th at the Bandstand in Clarence Park, Denby Dale Road, Wakefield from 12 noon to 9pm each day.
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The opening of Holmfield Park, 1919
On this day – July 19 1919, Holmfield Park was opened.
Holmfield House was built in 1833 by Thomas Foljambe, a Wakefield lawyer who had been acquiring land at Thornes. In 1863 the house and land were sold to Major Joseph Barker, worsted manufacturer, who enlarged the house in the 1870s with a stable block, entrance lodge, boundary wall, carriage drive and an avenue of chestnut trees. After Major Barker’s death in 1892 the house was first let and then sold to Alderman W.H. Kingswell, who like Major Barker had been one of the original Park Trustees. In 1918 Wakefield Corporation purchased the house and the surrounding 14 acres and on July 19th 1919 – national Peace Day marking the conclusion of the First World War – Holmfield Park was dedicated by the Mayor, Councillor George Blakey.
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Tennis Day Camps in Thornes Park
Summer holidays are coming soon and here’s a fantastic tennis day camp for children 5-13 years in Thornes Park. Wakefield School of Tennis will be holding three day camps (morning or afternoon attendance) for only £2 for the day – yes, £2! This Summer, the holiday Tennis Camp sessions run midweek. All sessions have key elements of Tennis coaching with multi sport elements added.
Children will need to bring a drink and please remember that the Thornes Park courts have very little shelter, so make sure they have plenty of sun (& rain ) protection. The days on offer are: Tuesday 6th August 10am – 1pm; Monday 19th August 10am – 1pm and Tuesday 26th August 12-3pm.
To secure your child’s space and for more information follow this link:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ThornesPark/Coaching/Camps
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The opening of Clarence Park 1893
On this day – July 6th 1893 – Clarence Park opened. The Duke of Clarence had planted a white horse chestnut tree on the site of the proposed park and sycamores, chestnut and oak trees were planted, with a double row of 108 chestnuts lining the carriage drive in the park. Other features included a bandstand on Lowe Hill presented by Colonel Milnes-Gaskell planted round with three dozen oak trees and wrought iron gates at the entrance on Denby Dale Road provided by Lady Caroline Milnes-Gaskell. A decorative drinking fountain was erected in 1893 in the park as a memorial to Major Joseph Barker by the workforce of his worsted mill at Thornes Wharf.
A colour postcard depicting a scene from Wakefield Park in 1904. The drinking fountain can be seen in the foreground. It was erected in 1893, probably when Clarence Park was opened on the 6th July in memory of Major Barker of Holmfield House by the employees of his worsted mill at Thornes Wharf.
[Source: by kind permission of Wakefield Libraries and Museums, www twixtaireandcalder.org.uk]
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Classic Vehicle Gathering July 5th 2024
The Classic Vehicle Gathering 2024 on the 5th July was a great success, thanks to the hard work of the Fleur de Lys Society and the Friends of CHaT Parks. Wonderful vehicles, good weather and the enthusiasm and knowledge of all the entries made it a great family event. Thank you to Drone Yorkshire for this wonderful photo of the event.
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Wakefield School of Tennis courses
The Friends of Chat Tennis program is growing with the addition of an adult session through Saturdays. This will be starting on 2nd July from 11:30-12:30 and can be booked in on a per session basis. Here’s the link.
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ThornesPark/Coaching/Summary/9dc1dac8-c8cd-4d5c-abbc-48eb0bc0f0f1
Wakefield School of Tennis will be running new junior and adult tennis classes in Thornes Park. Fully qualified coaches will guide players and all the equipment is provided. These classes are such a great way for both adults and children to learn about how to play tennis in a friendly and relaxed way and make friends along the way.
The Wakefield School of Tennis are holding junior and adult sessions at the tennis courts in Thornes Park on Saturdays. Here are the links to book on:
Juniors 1.45-2.30pm FREE
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ThornesPark/Coaching/Summary/81e69efb-afc5-458b-bece-c5729fe3ba0e
And Adults 2.30-3.30pm:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ThornesPark/Coaching/Summary/a4ca8ead-dc01-4825-8fde-7021485b4713Junior courses:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ThornesPark/Coaching/Junior
Adult courses:
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ThornesPark/Coaching/Adult
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Wakefield Music Collective presents the free Summer Solstice event at the Bandstand in Clarence Park from 2.00 to-6.30pm on Saturday 22nd June. Sally Cinnamon, The 189ers, Jilly Riley & Stu Fletcher, Zarina and Mental Block will be live in the park to celebrate the Summer Solstice so come and enjoy!
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Car Boot Sale, Sunday 23rd June 2024
Our next car boot sale for the Friends of CHaT Parks will be on Sunday June 23rd. Sellers can arrive from 7 am to 12 noon, with buyers from 8am. The cost per vehicle is £10 car; £2 for a trailer and £15 for a van. Entry point is off the Denby Dale Road (on the same side as the Bandstand – banners and stewards will be on the roadside to assist) and the postcode is WF2 8DY. . Exit onto Park Avenue. Items for sale should be second-hand. No knives or weapons. See you there!
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Race for Life 15th June 2024
On Saturday 15th June Thornes Park will be busy with the Cancer Research UK Race for Life. The 10k race starts at 9.30am and the 5k and 3k races at 11am. The postcode for the event site is Horbury Road,WF2 8TY. The starting point is on the playing field by the children’s playground. Then there are some two Pretty Muddy events – the Pretty Muddy Kids at 12.45 and the Pretty Muddy 5k at 13.30. Entries for these events can still be made at:
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Brass Band in the Park
Wakefield Music Collective presented the second brass band concert of 2024 at the Bandstand in Clarence Park this Sunday afternoon – 2nd June, sponsored by the Friends of CHaT Parks . The James Farrell Concert Band performed from 2-4pm on a lovely sunny afternoon.
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Car Boot Sale May 19th 2024
The first car boot sale for 2024 for the Friends of CHaT Parks was on Sunday May 19th.
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May Day Bank Holiday Weekend 2024
The 2024 May Day Bank Holiday weekend was as busy as usual.
On Saturday the morning parkrun was cancelled and returned Saturday May 11th. The Thornes Park easy ride organised by the Wakefield District Cycling Forum met at the Stork Lodge cafe by the duck pond at 10.30am, with an easy going paced ride suitable for beginners. The Games of Thornes opened from 10.30-5pm at the ticket office for booking golf, bowls and putting, also with equipment hire. At 1.45pm Wakefield School of Tennis held their weekly junior coaching at the tennis courts in Thornes Park. (This is a free event for children and a great introduction to tennis with qualified coaches.) They will also hold adult coaching from 2.30-3.30pm for £3.50.
On Sunday the junior parkrun celebrated their 6th birthday at their 9am run. The Games of Thornes opened at 10.30am for golf, putting and bowls. At about 1.30pm the Wakefield Miniature Railway was running by the children’s playground.
On Monday 4th May , the May Day Gala was held in the Clarence Park arena from 10am to 5pm, with a family funfair, rides and attractions. Games of Thornes also opened from 10.30am to 5pm.
Wakefield Music Collective present the annual Clarence Park music festival on Saturday and Sunday 30-31st July 2023. As well as great music, food and drink the Clarence Park Festival is also a great family event, so there will be some performers from the amazing live event management folks, Pastiche to join in, so look out for them in the crowd. There’s also a face painter, hair braiding, craft workshops, a small funfair and a toy stall. Fun for all the little ( and not so little) ones.
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What could be nicer than to see the snowdrops in the Park? Such a lovely sight and sure to lift the spirits on a winter’s day.
There’s always plenty going on in the Park and this month is as busy as usual. A sunny morning stroll gave time to appreciate the trees and also to spot the first shoots of daffodils emerging. The gardeners were busy planting in the border by the ticket office and the tennis courts with some fine, healthy plants which will fill out the border in the coming months. Elsewhere contractors arrived at the duck pond to begin desilting the inlet and outlet. By removing the build up of organic material this will increase the capacity of the lake and help to improve the water flow and increase the oxygen levels.
© 2026 Friends of Clarence Holmfield and Thornes (CHaT) Parks. Registered Charity Number: 1166255