Underneath the arches I dream my...

But by the 1870s - some 40 years after the town was granted its “Royal” prefix - the first mayor of Leamington, Samuel Wackrill, decided the gardens should be opened to the general public...provided the public could stump up a one penny entrance fee.

People particularly enjoyed strolls beneath the eight Linden Arches which were ornate cast-iron constructions with gilded crowns at the edges and globular gas lights suspended in the middle. Sadly, the last two of the deteriorating Victorian arches, their lights long gone, were taken down just a few weeks ago.

But Archie Pitt, and fellow members of the Friends of the Royal Pump Room Gardens, have been steadily fundraising and now have nearly 90 per cent of the £100,000 they need to recreate the scene in time for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations next year. This time, of course, the replica arches will hold electric, rather than gas lights in the centre.

Members of the Friends group - who are always looking for more support - are determined to do all they can to preserve and enhance the once private park which is now a focus for so many town events. They have already won a £40,000 Heritage Lottery grant to create a wildlife corridor along the river and produce a full study of the site. But they need to collect more local information about how things used to be in the park.

l If you have memories,of the park call 426134.