Grandma can't wait to share magic of Kettering's Wicksteed Park with new grandson

Wicksteed Park is a special place for many people, including this grandma who can't wait to share the magic with her new grandson.

The Northamptonshire Telegraph has launched a search for Wicksteed Park’s number one fans and appealed for people to get in touch with their stories.

Here Ruth Walker, who has visited the park every week for more than 60 years, reveals how she can’t wait to take her new grandson.

Ruth Walker was born in Kettering and has a lifetime of memories at Wicksteed Park.

Now she can’t wait to introduce the latest member of her family – five-month-old Thomas, to the delights of a trip there.

Ruth, 64, of St Johns Road, Kettering, said: “We haven’t been able to see any of our grandchildren recently and didn’t get chance to take Thomas earlier in the year.

“But hopefully soon I will be able to take my new grandson to the park.

"I hope to pass on my love of the park to all my grandchildren so they can enjoy and love it as much as I do, making happy memories for many years to come.”

Ruth has lived in the town all her life.

When she was a child her father would tell her stories of cycling up to Wicksteed Park in the 1930s to play tennis.

When she was old enough she was taken to Wicksteed Park with her two brothers and she has been going ever since, making a lifetime of happy memories.

Ruth said: “We used to have fun on the little rollercoaster, the large slides the big Witch’s Hat and many more of the rides.

“It was a special treat if we were taken to pets corner at the bottom of the park by the water chute, and having a Wicksteed Park ice cream was yummy.

“When I had my own children they also made many happy memories at the park.

"We used to set off for the day with food and swimming costumes.

“I had no car so we would walk from the north side of town early in the morning.

"We would go with friends so sometimes there would be as many as 10 to 15 of us walking along Windmill Avenue.

"As a mum I have some lovely memories and even though my children are grown up now they often talk about things we did at the park.”

When Ruth became a grandma, she and her husband Richard would take their grandson Edward, who is now 15, to the park.

She said: “He loved going as he did not live in Kettering so Wicksteed Park was a real treat for him.

“Three years ago we became grandparents again.

"Over the last two years we have looked after our granddaughter four days a week.

“The park has been a wonderful place to go.

"How lucky am I to have it on my doorstep.”

Before the coronavirus outbreak, Ruth and granddaughter Alice, three, visited the park three times a week.

She said: “We take wild bird food and duck pellets and feed the ducks, what a wonderful site that is.

"I have a seniors wristband so every trip is special and we have lots of fun.

"She loves the roundabout and tea cups and of course the train.

“We know the train drivers by name and the ladies in reception are so friendly to my granddaughter.

"Where else can you go and sit in such a beautiful well-kept garden?

“They are amazing and it is a special, relaxing place.

"The treat for my granddaughter is a milk shake drink and a cup of tea for me in the cafe.

"When the weather is bad I take her into soft play.

"I have some lovely photos and memories.

"Alice was measured the other day and she is now big enough for a Mini-Me wristband, so I’ve promised to take her back to the park as soon as we can.

“I still walk to the park two to three times a week for my daily exercise because I live so close but it’s not the same walking through the park without her but I remember so many happy hours I have spent there.”

Anyone who would like to share their stories of Wicksteed Park can email hello@wicksteedpark.org or contact the Northamptonshire Telegraph on nt.newsdesk@northantsnews.co.uk, marking their email Wicksteed Park’s Biggest Fan.