THE past ownership of land at Milford Park, Bitton Park Road has been called into question under proposals for a skate park at the site. The site is currently owned by Teignbridge Council and is leased to Teignmouth RFC for training. Historic records reveal that the two pockets of land, now known as Milford Park were purchased by the then urban district council in 1945. The council bought lawn at Lower Bitton from Teignmouth Lawn Tennis Club for £1,700. Later that year, the council paid £200 for land at Lower Bitton from Teignmouth and Shaldon Bridge Company. However, a report in the Teignmouth Post, dated June 2, 1950, states that Mr Milford bought the site. In the report of the official opening, the article paraphrases comments made by Mr Cross, a great friend of Mr Milford's. The article claims that Mr Cross said that Mr Milford 'bought the Bitton site when he heard the council were prepared to sell it.' l From page 1 It has been asserted by one reader, Mrs Gaynor Blackburn, that there are many long-standing Teignmouth residents that witnessed Mr Milford handing over his cheque for the purchase of the land. However, a contemporary newspaper photograph of the event documents only the handing over of a cheque 'to provide a children's playground'. Minutes of meetings held by the then Teignmouth Urban District Council in February 1949 clearly document Mr Milford meeting the cost of the work and provision of equipment only. The then council resolved to recommend at that meeting: 'The council place on record its gratitude on behalf of the inhabitants of Teignmouth to Mr Frank P Milford for his munificent gift to the children of Teignmouth in the provision and equipment of a children's playground'. A month later in March 1949, the council accepts the sum of £3,067 'to be used for the layout and equipping of a children's playground at Lower Bitton'. According to Teignbridge Council, it does hold legal title/the deeds to Milford Park. Its records show that the land was bought by the Teignmouth Urban District Council in 1945 and passed on to Teignbridge District Council upon its formation in 1974. It is currently leased to Teignmouth Rugby Club for training and sport and although it is public land, priority over its use remains with the club.
