Fields in Trust facts for kids
 |
|
| Founded | 1925 |
|---|---|
| Founder | King George VI |
| Type | Charity |
| Registration no. | 306070 (England and Wales) SC040357 (Scotland) |
| Focus | protection of recreational green space |
| Location |
|
|
Area served
|
UK |
|
Chair of Trustees
|
Jo Barnett |
|
Chief Executive
|
Helen Griffiths |
|
Employees
|
15 |
|
Formerly called
|
NPFA National Playing Fields Association |
Fields in Trust is a British charity that started in 1925. It was first known as the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA). This group works to protect parks and green spaces. They also encourage having easy-to-reach places for play, sports, and fun in towns and cities across the UK.
Besides fighting to save playing fields and open areas, Fields in Trust also legally protects the King George's Fields. These are 471 public recreation spots created to remember King George V.
Contents
History of Fields in Trust
The charity began in 1925. It was set up by Brigadier-General Reginald Kentish and the Duke of York. The Duke of York later became King George VI and was the charity's first president. This special link to the Royal Family continued for many years. Queen Elizabeth II was their Patron from 1952 until she passed away in 2022. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was President from 1947 until 2013. His grandson, William, Prince of Wales, took over as President in 2013.
Fields in Trust became an official charity by Royal Charter in 1932. This means the King or Queen officially recognized their important work. In 1931, the International Olympic Committee gave them the Olympic Cup. This award was for their efforts in creating playing fields across Great Britain.
The charity is guided by its Council, which meets often to make decisions. Fields in Trust also works with many other groups. Local councils, schools, and sports clubs are some of their members. In 1972, the charity supported Bishop Trevor Huddleston. He spoke out about the lack of play areas, which had led to two boys drowning. This event helped start the Fair Play for Children campaign.
Fields in Trust created the Six Acre Standard. This is a guide for how much play space communities should have. It helps local councils plan for new housing areas. Fields in Trust also advises the UK Government on school playing fields. They help decide if school land can be used for other things.
Goals of Fields in Trust
In 1925, the charity made its first recommendations for outdoor playing space. Their goal was to make sure everyone in Great Britain could play outdoors. They wanted people to have a place to play close to home. The charity suggested that for every 1,000 people, there should be at least 5 acres (2.0 ha) of public open space. At least 4 acres (1.6 ha) of this should be for team games, tennis, bowls, and playgrounds.
Fields in Trust regularly checks and updates this standard. It is now called the Six Acre Standard. This standard suggests 6 acres (2.4 ha) of recreational space for every 1,000 people. This is seen as the minimum amount needed.
In 1992, the charity added the Children’s Playing Space Standard. This part of the Six Acre Standard focuses on the need for enough play areas for children.
Protected Green Spaces
Fields in Trust acts as a "Guardian Trustee" for many properties. This means they make sure these lands are always used for their original purpose as charity spaces. The charity protects over 2,800 parks, playing fields, and nature reserves. These places are all over the United Kingdom. In total, Fields in Trust helps protect more than 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) of land.
In the 1920s and 1930s, many of these sites received money from the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust. This money was given on the condition that the land would always be public playing fields. Fields in Trust works with many national and local groups to achieve its goals.
King George's Fields
Fields in Trust is also in charge of the King George's Fields Foundation (KGFF). This Foundation was created on November 3, 1936. It was set up to remember King George V. The Foundation's aim was to help create playing fields across the UK. Each field would be called 'King George’s Field'. They would have special signs to honor the King.
A "playing field" was defined as any open space used for outdoor games, sports, and fun activities.
These playing fields started from an appeal after King George V died in 1936. Instead of paying for a few big projects, grants were given to as many fields as possible. Local groups or councils would raise the rest of the money and take care of the fields. Most groups signed a special agreement. This agreement said the recreation ground would always be a memorial to the King. It would be known as a 'King George’s Field'. Fields in Trust (then NPFA) helped manage these grants.
In 1965, a new plan was made by the Charity Commission. This plan made Fields in Trust the official trustee of the Foundation. It also expanded the Foundation's goals to include "preserving" the King George’s Fields.
The Six Acre Standard Explained
The Six Acre Standard helps land planners make sure there is enough open space. This space allows people of all ages to play sports and games. It especially focuses on children having access to playgrounds and other play areas. The standard suggests that for every 1,000 people, there should be 6 acres (2.4 ha) of recreational land. Of this, 4 acres (1.6 ha) should be for outdoor sports and recreation (like parks). The other 2 acres (0.81 ha) should be for children's play, including equipped playgrounds.
Fields in Trust's guide, The Six Acre Standard, gives more details. It even suggests different types of play spaces for children.
New Guidance for Outdoor Sport and Play
In 2015, Fields in Trust updated The Six Acre Standard. It was reissued online as Guidance for Outdoor Sport and Play. This new guide helps planners in the UK. It includes modern planning rules and new topics like protecting the environment. These areas are now part of "Open Space," which is seen as a valuable community asset. Laws protect these spaces. New versions of the guide for Scotland and Wales were released in 2017.
Sports fields on school land are not usually counted as "Open Space." They are not protected by the same laws. However, if school land is to be used for something else, local or national government approval is needed. Local communities can challenge these decisions.
Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge
The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge was a program run by Fields in Trust. In Scotland, it was called the "Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge." This program aimed to protect outdoor recreational spaces across the UK. It was created to leave a lasting "grassroots legacy" to celebrate the 2012 Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Presidents of Fields in Trust
A member of the Royal Family has been president of the National Playing Fields Association since it started in 1925:
- HRH Duke of York 1925 – 1936
- HM The King 1936 – 1948
- HRH Duke of Edinburgh 1948 – 2013
- HRH Prince of Wales 2013 – Present
See also
- List of King George V Playing Fields
- Urban planning
- Gyro International, established 1912, sponsor of playgrounds in Canada and the United States
