Cooper park in days gone by
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READER Ronnie Cargill has unearthed this old photography of children queuing for their turn on the slide at Elgin's Cooper Park.
The image, taken around 1955, features Mr Cargill's brother Chay (11th from left).
It was taken around two years after celebrations were held to mark the golden jubilee of the park's opening.
In August 1903, the amenity was officially opened after being gifted to the town of Elgin by Colonel George A Cooper.
The Northern Scot's Christmas Number of that year described the opening as "quite a gala day".
It reads: "There was a general holiday, and the streets were gaily decorated.
"A large procession was organised, consisting of various public bodies, which marched from the west end of the town along High Street to the Park, where an enormous crowd had assembled to witness the ceremony of the formal handing over of the gift by Mr Cooper to the town.
"In handing over the titles to Provost Young, Mr Cooper said that his idea in presenting this park to Elgin was for the use entirely of the inhabitants and for no other purpose.
"He hoped that they and their children would come here at all times and enjoy themselves, see the grass growing and the green leaves, and be all the better for it."
