Old Mans Park on Mill Bank, Loftus

I want to know who the little girl is with the big hat!  An image before the iron horse this one, no metalled roads. 
Derick Pearson tells us: ”It is actually taken two thirds of the way up Loftus bank from Kilton Mill. The pit and the works are a giveaway. I was informed many years ago that the wall on the photograph led to two paths that cut through to the gardens to the right of (High Row) and to a place called The Old Man’s park on the path directly behind the little girl. The old men would have a nice view from here overlooking both pits and the Mill as the trees in those days did not go all the way down.”
Norman Patton adds: ”I recall not only the two pathways but three! On the high side, it was possible to walk along the bottom of the furthest “allotments” in front of St Hilda’s Terrace/Short Row. The central path led into the park where there were Swings, Roundabouts, a SeeSaw and several seats. This recreation area was revitalised during the 1950s but again fell into dis-use. The third path was just below the Park and would have been wide enough for carts and possibly vehicles. This path might have lead to Loftus Pit and possibly Skinningrove before the Pit was opened?”

Image courtesy of the Pem Holliday Collection and thanks to Derick Pearson and Norman Patton for the updates.