Platt Fields Park's clock marks centenary year

The new boathouse clock marks Platt Fields Park's centenary

The unveiling of a boathouse clock has marked the start of a year-long series of celebrations to mark the centenary of a Manchester park.

The original timepiece on the building, in Platt Fields Park, Rusholme, went missing more than 50 years ago.

As part of the 12-month centenary celebrations, the costume gallery at Platt Hall will reopen its doors in March after a £1m makeover.

There will be a special weekend in May to mark the park's opening.

'Fantastic milestone'

Councillor Mike Amesbury, from Manchester City Council, said: "Platt Fields Park is a Manchester gem and the history attached to it is something to be celebrated.

"We're so proud that the park has reached this fantastic milestone and look forward to the next 100 years, as it continues to welcome local people and visitors from miles around."

One local resident remembered the clock was used "to teach us children how to tell the time ... We'd be fishing for tiddlers and check when it was time for tea and get home sharpish so as not to annoy our mam".

The reintroduction of the clock to the park was welcomed by local residents, the park's Friends group and Manchester City Council.

Anne Tucker, secretary of the Friends of Platt Fields Park, said: "Putting the clock back on the boathouse was one of the first suggestions made by local people when we asked them how to celebrate the centenary."