In a message dated 03/03/2005 13:14:03 GMT Standard Time, jem.wickets@btinternet.com writes: I'm particularly interested in the wording of his will as it relates to the conditions attached to the use of the park which he bequeathed to the town as it was then. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Hi Jem, On a similar topic, in 1873 Sunderland Council decided to seek designs for a Town Hall at the north end of Mowbray Park. However Alderman Reed, and others felt that building in Mowbray Park was infringing the rights of citizens, that the Park had been dedicated to the use of the people of Sunderland, freely and in perpetuity, and that a Town Hall would infringe that right. Ratepayers instituted legal proceedings to halt the scheme, the court's judgement, on appeal, was that Mowbray Park was dedicated to public use, although it said the Library and Museum part of the scheme was permissible. The council abandoned the proposal and subsequently settled on the Shrubbery site in Fawcett Street. The first part of the park was Building Hill, which was purchased by the Council in 1854, the north part was purchased in 1866 from the North Eastern Railway. Regards Stan Mapstone www.mapstone.org