Beauty without bounds: A history of music and landscape in Sheffield's public parks

This study delves into the beginnings of England’s public parks, with a particular focus on Sheffield. By examining historical records from both music and landscape archives, we explore the early history of sound in Sheffield’s public parks, starting from the opening of FirthPark, on 16th August 1875. The history of Weston Park provides rich materials for exploring the development of the city and the evolving cultures of town planning, social provision, and the interrelationship between commerce, industry, politics and the city’s cultural amenities. We have presented a broader and more comprehensive history of music-making within the city’s parks, extending beyond Weston Park to include activities across a wider range of sites and venues in the city. In particular, the role of brass bands offers significant insights into local and regional identities, community formations, music education, and sites of performance.