Today’s Treasures – Cae Glas Park, Oswestry
Cae Glas translates as green or blue field – Cae is the Welsh name for field.
In the 17th century, the site of the 7-acre park formed part of the estate of the Kynastons of Maesbury and in 1791 it became home to Cae Glas Mansion – a 3 storey house with pillared entrance, railings and 4 gates. The park gates are now the town’s war memorial.
In 1908 it was sold to the town council, on condition that it was converted into a public park. Mr. Charles Jones of Rossett also contributed £200 towards laying out the grounds.
The park has paths for wheelchairs and prams, sunny grassy spaces for sunbathing, and benches for resting and sipping a coffee in the shade. The band stand hosts music at the many occasions when the people of Oswestry gather for public events – like the Queen’s Funeral – and celebrations like the new King’s coronation.
Cae Glas is home to walkers and runners and cyclists, who have plenty of space to de-stress – the picnic tables offer lunchtime spaces to eat delicious food from the nearby delicatessen – maybe followed up with an exotically flavoured milkshake from the milk-bar just around the corner.
Babies in pushchairs enjoy the ride and toddlers have plenty of space to practice their tottering footsteps, closely followed by smiling grown-ups.
During lockdown our parks and green spaces became, literally, lifesaving havens of tranquillity, where we could enjoy the flowers, sit on the grass, watch the birds and just breathe the fresh air under the trees.
A New Scientist study found that the positive effects of nature help with psychological conditions including depression, anxiety and mood disorder; access to green spaces has also been found to improve sleep, reduce stress, increase happiness, reduce negative emotions, and promote positive social interactions – sit on a bench in Cae Glas Park in the sunshine and smile at the people who walk past – you will be amazed how many people smile back and say ‘hello’.
Published in the August edition of the Whitchurch Gossip