Only just found this thread. What happy memories it brings at the age of 88. Born in Abbey Road [other end of George Road from Marsh Hill and next to Rosemary and St. Thomas Roads] So I spent childhood and later, going to Brookvale park catching tiddlers and sailing my yacht as I got older. I remember that before the war the lake froze so much people were skating on it and there were several braziers on the ice for people to warm themselves. During the war, when a bomb had hit a water mains and our water supply was cut off, my brother and I used to take buckets to get water from a standpipe in the park. As said by others, sadly there were a number drowned having been caught up in the weeds. Also, during the war all the iron railings were removed along with others from many other places and buildings to help the war effort. My nan lived in lodgings in George Road [if I remember right at 155] They were lovely large houses.
Thanks to all who have posted pictures. One in particular jolted my memory when I saw the overflow hole at the end near the bandstand. It always scared me to death as the water poured down it.