The Walney park named after a Vickers director

Dunn was the a director at Vickers when the park was opened in 1902 as part of the wider construction project in Vickerstown to create extra housing for shipyard workers.

The park was provided with a pond for swans, a bandstand, refreshment kiosks and a concert stage to host pierrot shows.

James Dunn was born on March 6 in 1838 and at the age of 14 was an apprentice at Chatham Dockyard.

By 1869 he was chief draughtsman for the Admiralty and in 1884 was borrowed by the War Office to prepare ships to assist in the relief force for General Charles Gordon’s besieged troops at Khartoum, Egypt – it arrived two days late to save them.

In 1897 Dunn retired form the Admitalty and joined the board of directors at Vickers, Sons and Maxim.

He never lived in Barrow but played a key role in organizing the design staff as the Barrow company became a major player in the international market for warships.

He died at York on July 17 in 1912.

In Edwardian times and up to the end of the First World War people would be enthralled by the antics of travelling troupes of Pierrot performers on the stage at James Dunn Park.

The Pierrot show was a vital part of every Edwardian seaside resort’s entertainment.

Entrepreneurs recognised a money-making prospect when they saw it and hired performing pitches from local councils.

This was quite lucrative for the council who in turn would guarantee no competition for the lucky troupe.

The Pierrots performed songs, dances and comedy sketches.

One troupe to visit Walney was Bliss and Bliss.

This is probably Birmingham based Leo Bliss and the Busy Bees.

He was a vaudeville artist with a reputation as a safe comedian who could “make a mummy laugh”.

He worked with his wife, Dorothy B Lloyd, another talented comedian. He died in

1924.

Similar acts working in Furness included the Walney Royal Pierrot troupe which

performed many concert parties for munitions workers during the First World War.