February 2, 2024

Discover Wicksteed Park: Jerry the dog

Have you ever spotted the statue of a dog inside the rose garden? That is Jerry the dog!

Jerry the dog was one of the three known dogs that the Wicksteed family had. From archive images it is believed that he was a terrier of some sort, possibly a Jack Russel Terrier.

Jerry was a particularly important dog as he was Charles Wicksteed’s loyal companion. He travelled everywhere with Charles, including on some trips where Jerry would ride the train with him.

Charles’ daughter Hilda also wrote serval books that featured Jerry. These books include ‘Jerry and Grandpa’. She also wrote from Jerry’s perspective with lines written such as ‘I love to ride in the car with my master’ and ‘Today I went in the garden to try to catch the goldfish in the pond’.

Sadly, Jerry disappeared while Charles and Hilda were on a trip in South Africa in 1928.

Jerry’s statue can still be found in our rose garden today with a plaque reading:

“Closely bound to a human heart, little brown dog, you had your part, in the levelling, building, staying of the streams, in the park that arose from your master’s dreams.”

Other News

Huge Success: Mother Christmas’ donation appeal helped disadvantaged kids enjoy Christmas

Mother Christmas has said a big and sincere thank you to all of her 'Christmas Helpers' in and around Northamptonshire who has helped make 2023's gift appeal so successful!

New Bird Hide at Wicksteed Park

New Bird Hide at Wicksteed Park

Exciting news for nature lovers! We have unveiled a brand-new bird hide at Wicksteed Park, offering visitors a peaceful spot to observe the park’s feathered residents in their natural habitat.

BBQs Banned with Immediate Effect

On recommendation of the Northamptonshire fire department and following having to extinguish numerous fires at the park over the week due to discarded coals, Wicksteed Park have had to make the difficult decision to ban all BBQs on site effective immediately.