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East Cowes Esplanade Celebrates its Centenary Year

Friday, 13 September 2024 14:27

In June 1924, a grand opening was held for the “magnificent” East Cowes Esplanade.

An Act of Parliament gave the eastern esplanade project the go ahead in 1923. The East Cowes Urban District Council scheme was planned to cost £15,000 and a loan was received from Lloyds Bank.

Some of St. Thomas’s land was compulsorily purchased to allow the council to carry the esplanade through to Mr. George Shedden’s land at Springhill. Mr. Shedden donated all of his foreshore through to Old Castle Point with a wide strip of land behind. Mr. Sam Saunders bought St. Thomas’s and gave a 50ft (15m) wide strip of extra land where the tennis

courts and pitch and putt course were made. The council decided that the new esplanade should be named after Mr Shedden. Work started in 1923 and over two hundred men were given work. £9,000 was paid in wages. This had the knock-on effect of helping small businesses to stay open.

By 1924 the esplanade was complete and ready for the grand opening in June that year. Major General the Rt. Hon. J.E.B. Seeley MP cut the ribbon. In June the County Press reported: “A notable result of the commendable efforts of East Cowes Council to provide work for the unemployed during the long period of depression, through which the town has been passing, on account of the slackness in the shipbuilding industry, was witnessed on Saturday when the magnificent new esplanade was opened.”

The following year the paddling pool was created under the same government scheme to help the unemployed. This gave the town a facility that was new for the Island, and much appreciated by residents and visitors. A man was employed as beach attendant, and changing huts were erected.

A model boat club was set up, which had the use of the paddling pool every Tuesday evening. A little stage was set up for performers just past Shore Cottage and a bandstand was erected where there is now a car park.

100 years later our esplanade is still enjoyed and valued by the people of East Cowes and visitors to our town. The Town Council will continue the enhancement of the esplanade for generations to come.

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