n the time
arrived for my "master" to start, I was missing. Mr Leach was,
nevertheless, determined "ta visit t' Cliff," and as a last resort he
summoned his old friend "Little" Barnes to accompany him. The two
attended the "White Ball;" but I don't think either of them participated
in the dancing. Mr Leach afterwards told me that they were nicely
entertained by Mr Butterfield, who had a long chat with him, and
expressed a wish to have a chat with him at some other time on public
matters. One of the topics which engaged Mr Butterfield and Mr Leach was
a public park for the town.

MR LEACH AND DEVONSHIRE PARK

It is an acknowledged fact that to Mr Leach was due no small measure of
credit in connection with the securing of Devonshire Park for Keighley.
His pet idea for a public park was originally the Showfield in
Skipton-road. On one occasion Hawkcliffe Wood came into the market, and
was suggested as a suitable park for the public. Mr Leach opposed this
scheme tooth and nail--"ther wor too monny hoils an' caves abaat. They'd
be capt if somebody gat dahn one o' t' hoils an' wor nivver seen ageean."
A public meeting was held in the Drill Hall to test the public feeling as
to the purchase of Hawkcliffe Wood. Mr W. A. Robinson, I believe, was the
principal speaker on the affirmative side, and Mr Leach strongly opposed
the scheme of purchase. Next day, however, the question was settled by
the announcement that Mr Butterfield (whose estate agent, Mr James
Wright, had attended the meeting) had successfully negotiated with Messrs
Dixon, of Steeton, for the purchase of the Wood. Having practically
scored on this point, Mr Leach next turned his attention very vigorously
to the Showfield. He superintended the making-out of a petition to the
Duke of Devonshire, asking his Grace to make a grant of the Showfield for
a town's park. The petition was numerously signed, and was duly forwarded
through the Local Board to the Duke. His Grace could not see his way to
accede to the petitioners' wishes, but it was some gratification to Mr
Leach to hear that the Duke would probably see his way to do something
later--a promise consummated in the presentation to the town of what is
known as Devonshire Park. Mr W. Laycock (the Duke's steward) assured Mr
Leach that he was the first man whom the Duke of Devonshire had
recognised in this way, and that he was the means of securing the first
public park for Keighley.

MR LEACH'S EPITAPH