King George's Fields facts for kids
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A King George's Field is a special public park or playing area in the United Kingdom. These fields were created to remember King George V, who was the King from 1910 to 1936.
After the King passed away in 1936, a group led by Sir Percy Vincent, who was then the Lord Mayor of London, wanted to create a special memorial. They decided that instead of just a statue, they would set up a foundation. This foundation would help create playing fields all over the UK.
The main goal of the King George's Fields Foundation was:
- To help set up playing fields across the United Kingdom.
- These fields would be for everyone to use and enjoy.
Each playing field would be called 'King George's Field'. They would also have special plaques or signs. These signs would show a design approved by the foundation. They would remind everyone of King George V.
Local communities helped raise money to buy the land for these fields. The foundation also gave grants to help. Once the land was bought, it was given to the National Playing Fields Association (now called Fields in Trust). This was to make sure the land would always be kept safe for the public to use. New fields were still being added even into the 1950s and early 1960s.
When the King George's Fields Foundation closed in 1965, there were 471 King George's Fields across the UK. Today, Fields in Trust legally protects them. Local councils or groups of trustees manage them. Special rules and agreements make sure these open spaces will always be there for people to enjoy.
Contents
How the King George's Fields Started
A Memorial for the King
When King George V died in 1936, the Lord Mayor of London set up a committee. They wanted to decide how to best remember the King. In March 1936, they agreed on two things. First, there would be a statue in London. Second, there would be a special project to help people across the country. This project would be named after King George V.
So, in November 1936, the King George's Fields Foundation was officially created. Its goal was to provide open spaces for people to play. Many people realized that cities were growing. This meant there were fewer open spaces for young people to play and exercise.
The Foundation's main aim was to create playing fields throughout the UK. These fields would be called 'King George's Field'. They would have special signs or plaques to honor the King. A 'Playing Field' was defined as "any open space used for outdoor games, sports, and pastimes."
This project was flexible. It focused on city areas but also helped rural communities. Each local area could decide what it needed. The project encouraged local people to get involved. They could donate money or land. Every field would have a unique sign to remember King George V. This was thought to be what the King would have wanted. It helped young people stay active and healthy.
Funding the Fields
The Foundation wanted to create a lasting memorial. They wanted to make sure these open spaces were always linked to King George V. They would be named 'King George's Fields'.
The goal was to get, plan, equip, and protect playing fields. These fields would be in towns and villages across Great Britain and Northern Ireland. However, buying and setting up all these fields was very expensive. The King George's Fields Foundation (KGFF) couldn't do it alone.
To raise the money, a national appeal was launched. Before World War II, about £557,436 was collected. The Foundation soon realized that this amount was not enough. It couldn't cover the costs for all the fields needed.
So, they decided to give 'grants-in-aid'. This meant they would give money to local groups. These local groups would then raise the rest of the money needed. They would also be responsible for managing and maintaining the fields. This plan was called the 'Grant-in-Aid Policy'. It started on March 1, 1937. It needed support from donors and local authorities.
To avoid doing the same work twice, the Foundation worked with the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA). The NPFA helped review proposals and decide where to give grants.
The amount of money given depended on several things. These included the local population, existing playing fields, and the local economy. There were no strict rules on the size or type of field. Some fields were very large, like the one in Enfield, London, which is about 128 acres. It has many pitches for different games. The smallest field is less than 1/4 acre in the City of London. This small field was important for keeping children off busy roads.
There were also some important rules. The Foundation wanted to make sure the fields would last forever. They needed to be legally protected as 'King George's Fields'. Money was not given for projects that might disappear after a few years. The land also had to be suitable for playing games. Gardens or parks that were just for looking at were not accepted.
Each field also needed a special entrance. This entrance would display the unique signs that marked it as a 'King George's Field'. The Foundation did not want fancy or expensive entrances. They suggested using local materials for the design.
Building the Fields
Between March 1937 and September 1939 (when World War II began), the Foundation approved 462 projects. They had received about 1,800 applications. Around £400,000 was given out as grants to towns and villages.
However, during the seven years of the war, building work on the fields mostly stopped. After 1945, things changed. Other important issues like health, education, and housing became top priorities. Many original projects were cancelled. But in some cases, new projects were approved and received grants. All the fields were finally finished by the 1960s.
It took some time for all the 'King George's Fields' to be fully completed. The tables below show how many fields were created in each country and who owned the land.
| Number of Projects |
Area | Total Costs £ |
Grants Given | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 344 | 3,210 acres (13 km2) | 3,433,876 | 458,407 |
| Scotland | 85 | 723 acres (2.9 km2) | 379,849 | 93,495 |
| Wales | 35 | 329 acres (1.3 km2) | 253,070 | 53,840 |
| Northern Ireland | 7 | 26 acres (0.1 km2) | 32,135 | 11,375 |
| Totals | 471 | 4,288 acres | 4,098,930 | 617,117 |
Notes:
- The numbers for England include the Channel Islands.
- 19 fields were paid for entirely by local groups. They didn't get grants from the Foundation. But they were still recognized as 'King George's Fields' and got the special plaques.
- The Foundation could not spend money outside the UK. However, they allowed sites in Barbados, the Falkland Islands, Malta, Nigeria, and Yemen (then Aden) to be called "King George's Field" and gave them the special plaques.
| Main local authorities | Parish, town or community councils | Local trustees | NPFA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 203 | 105 | 25 | 11 |
| Scotland | 71 | – | 14 | – |
| Wales | 17 | 11 | 6 | 1 |
| Northern Ireland | 5 | – | 1 | 1 |
| Totals | 296 | 116 | 46 | 13 |
The Foundation Closes
The 1960s brought more changes. Almost 30 years had passed since the Foundation started. It was time to hand over its responsibilities. The National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) took over. Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh was its President for a long time. Later, his grandson Prince William became President in 2013.
The King George's Fields Foundation was never meant to last forever. The NPFA became the main trustee of the charity on December 1, 1965. Any remaining money, about £41,251, was given to the NPFA. They were then in charge of paying out £12,200 for approved 'King George's Fields' projects that hadn't used their funds yet.
The NPFA's new role included "preserving" the King George's Fields, not just helping to "establish" them. This means that if a local group wants to make changes to a field, they need the NPFA's permission. The NPFA's job is to protect these fields. The NPFA also got the power to use the remaining money for repairs or replacing things like the special plaques.
A Lasting Legacy
The King George's Fields were created to honor King George V. They provided valuable open spaces and facilities, especially for children and young people. These fields are still very important today. Most of them are set up as charities and are protected "forever."
The Foundation's goal in 1936 was to make its money go as far as possible. The total value of the 471 'King George's Fields' in 1936 was about £4,000,000. This included the cost of buying and developing the land. Local groups paid for most of this, with help from the Foundation's grants.
Special Entrances and Plaques
Why Entrances Matter
Every 'King George's Field' (KGF) is part of a national memorial to King George V. Because of this, the land had to be legally set aside for public recreation. Also, the Foundation's architect had to approve the design of the entrance. This entrance is where the special heraldic plaques are displayed. The most important thing for the entrance design was that it should be 'appropriate'. This meant simple designs that fit the local area and used local materials. Local groups were encouraged to use their own architects. But the Foundation's architect could also give advice.
The King George's Fields Foundation (KGFF) was set up as a charity on November 3, 1936. Its goal was to "promote and to assist in the establishment of playing fields for the use and enjoyment of the people throughout the United Kingdom." All these playing fields had to be called 'King George's Field'. They also had to have special heraldic plaques.
These plaques were a gift from the Foundation to all approved projects. They became the official symbols of the national memorial. There was no single design for the memorial entrances. But it was agreed that every field should have a unique symbol linked to King George V.
Designing the Entrances
The Foundation and the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) worked together.
- Local groups would get, plan, equip, and maintain playing fields. They would get help from the Grant-in-Aid Policy, which started on March 1, 1937.
- All plans for fields were first sent to the Foundation. If a field was suitable to become a 'King George's Field', it was inspected. The Foundation's final approval meant the field would get the special plaques and a grant.
Today, the NPFA, as the trustee of the Foundation, still needs to approve any plans for King George's Fields.
The Foundation had certain rules for the entrance designs. They didn't want very fancy or expensive entrances. Many local groups designed entrances that met the Foundation's basic rules. They considered local conditions and materials.
The width, material, and size of entrances depended on the field's size. They also depended on how many people would use it. It was suggested that gates should be set back from the road. This would create a safe space for children leaving the field. If a field had no fence, gates weren't needed. But pillars with the plaques could mark the main entrance.
The type of stone for the pillars was also important. They tried to use good quality local materials. For example, stone pillars in Bath would look different from those in Derbyshire or Cornwall. If a field had a stone wall, the wall itself could be raised to display the plaques. Brick pillars were built with narrow bricks, not machine-pressed ones. They avoided too many fancy decorations.
For many villages, a simple wooden gate made of English oak was best. It would be hung on oak posts with hinges made by a local blacksmith. If iron gates were used, they should be simple. They needed to be made of wrought iron. They also had to be easy for children to open and close. The gates also had to be strong enough for constant use. The memorial plaques were placed on the upper part of each gate pillar.
The Special Plaques
The heraldic plaques were made of stone, bronze, or sometimes brass. These plaques were, and still must be, displayed at the main entrance to the field. The Lion panel is usually on the left side of the entrance. The Unicorn panel is on the right. However, in Scotland, these positions are swapped.
If the entrance pillars are made of brick or stone, the plaques are stone. They are about 2 feet high and 1 foot 6 inches wide. If the gate supports are wooden posts, smaller bronze plaques are used. These are about 11¼ inches high and 8¼ inches wide.
The plaques have a design by George Kruger Gray. For England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, the left panel shows a Lion holding a Royal Shield. Below it are the words 'George V' and 'A.D. 1910–1936'. The right panel shows a Unicorn holding a similar shield with the words 'King George's Field' below.
In Scotland, the Lion and Unicorn are in opposite positions. The Scottish arms are more prominent on the shield, and the Unicorn wears a crown. The words below are the same.
These plaques are a key part of the Foundation's history. The fields are usually set up as charities and are protected forever. The NPFA provides guidance on the specific design of these plaques.
