Extracts from a newspaper article dated 24 June 1898. The article was published in the Cambridge Daily News, the local newspaper at the time. It was discovered in the Cambridgeshire Collection by Sheila Ingham, of York Street, and transcribed for PACT by Lesley Tubb, also of York Street.

At last, but not at length, for only part of it is ready yet, the spot known hitherto as the St Matthew's Recreation Ground has had an official opening. Now it is re- christened "St Matthew's Piece," and it was a piece of that Piece that the Mayor and those with him gazed on last night. The aspect is as yet of the distinctly "plain and not gaudy" type comprising a rectangular enclosure, around which a spiked fence rears its effective points, and the inside is gravelled all over, offering unbounded scope for young Barnwellians to develop "gravel rash."

Ald Redfern (chairman of the Commons Committee) expressed his pleasure at being there that evening to hand over the piece of ground from the Commons Committee to the Corporation for the Mayor of the Borough to declare as their property (applause). He should be sorry to take the whole of the credit for the committee, for they had the Vicar to thank for

to have it finished (applause). He had a great deal of pleasure in having Mr Hargrove to peg away at him, for without support he should not have been able to bring about this result so soon. He thanked Mr Hargrove therefore, for the energetic way in which he had pushed the affair along. He would remind them that the Commons Committee had some ten or twelve commons under their control and so they could not devote the whole of their time to this. They were Parker's Piece, Christ's Piece, Midsummer Common, Stourbridge Common, Coldham Common, Coe Fen, Sheep's Green, Queens' Green, Petersfield, Empty Common, and last but not least, St Matthew's Piece (applause).

required a great deal of looking after, and all were for the benefit and recreation and the good of their fellow townsmen; therefore, although they had waited long, they were not the only ones, for other commons had to be dealt with too (applause, and a voice, "Who pays for 'em?"). He was happy to say the gentleman would have his penny- worth out of it, and he hoped he would enjoy it as the speaker enjoyed other commons (applause). He had great pleasure in handing over St Matthew's Piece to the Mayor of the Borough (applause).

The Mayor said it gave him very great pleasure, an especial pleasure in that district, to declare that this St Matthew's Piece was now open for the recreation of the inhabitants for ever (applause). Some gentleman asked who was going to pay for it. Now, he was very happy to say, the ground was already more than half paid for, so that they had gained something by waiting. He would also like to tell them that the Corporation had spent over this ground a sum exceeding £2,700, so they might give the Commons Committee credit for doing the very best they could for that thickly populated neighbourhood and they must all rejoice exceedingly it was a sign of the times that the Corporation at the present moment was looking to their health at the beginning, instead of waiting until disease and illness broke out, and then finding for them places of refuge (applause). It was thought nowadays that the best way of spending the ratepayers' money was to take care that the people had good sanitary arrangements and open spaces like that one, rather than giving their whole attention to the Council to providing hospitals when sickness came. If they looked back a few years, and pictured to themselves what that desolate spot was then, and compared it with to- day he thought they would be thoroughly satisfied. He thought he heard it stated on one occasion that the piece of ground at the end there was to be made into a swimming bath, and the Commons Committee were waiting to sell the growing crop from the part in which they stood (laughter). That was not quite correct, and although that part of the ground was not finished yet, another year he hoped to see it nicely planted with flowers and plants and he could picture

through it (laughter and cheers). He only wished, they had it that day. On behalf of the Commons Committee he would say that this piece would hereafter be named St Matthew's Piece. He must in conclusion thank Mr Hargrove for the interest he had taken in seeing this ground opened for their benefit.

Mr J Hough expressed his delight at being present and proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor and Mr Hargrove.

The Mayor briefly replied, remarking that they might have waited long but "All's well that ends well." (applause).

Mr Hargrove also responded and with cheers for the Mayor Mr Hough and the Vicar the ceremony ended.

Following the ceremony the Volunteer Band under Bandmaster Horlock mounted the platform and performed the following programme of music ...