In 1939, a playing field in Amersham, Buckinghamshire became legally protected forever with Fields in Trust as part of the legacy of King George V. Today, Amersham’s King George V Playing Field is still a vital asset to the community, providing somewhere to meet, play, exercise and relax close to home.
“King George V Playing Field is a well-loved green space in Amersham and a real hub for the local community,” says Steve Catanach, Town Clerk at Amersham Town Council. “It sits alongside the Chilterns Lifestyle Centre, a state-of-the-art leisure centre, which makes the area a popular destination for people of all ages.
“The playing field itself offers a wide range of features, including children’s play areas, a skate park, outdoor fitness equipment and street snooker. The open grassed areas, both in King George V Road and at Woodside Close, a stone’s throw away, are used for informal sports, picnics and relaxation, while the play and fitness facilities attract families, young people and those looking to stay active.
“It’s also a space that brings people together, having hosted community events and activities over the years, and continues to be a place where residents can enjoy being outdoors while spending time with family and friends.”
79 years after the King George V Playing Field became protected, Amersham Town Council decided to also protect its stunning Memorial Gardens as part of our Centenary Fields programme so they can forever be enjoyed by the local community. Centenary Fields was launched in 2014 in collaboration with the Royal British Legion to protect parks and green spaces with links to World War I.
“The Town Council chose to dedicate the Memorial Gardens as a Centenary Field in 2018 because it felt like the right moment to both remember the past and protect something special for the future,” explains Steve.
“2018 marked 100 years since the end of World War I, and dedicating the Gardens through Fields in Trust was a meaningful way to honour the millions who lost their lives. It also means the Memorial Gardens are now protected in perpetuity, so they can continue to be enjoyed by the community for generations to come.
“A plaque was installed at the entrance to mark the dedication and recognise the importance of the Gardens as a valued community space.”
“Amersham’s two protected spaces play an important role in everyday life, serving the community in different but complementary ways,” notes Steve. “The Memorial Gardens provide a quiet place for reflection and a green space where people can spend time outdoors, while King George V Playing Field offers a more active environment, with open areas and facilities that support sport, play and exercise.
“Together, these spaces support physical and mental wellbeing, accommodating a range of community activities.
“The Memorial Gardens are also award-winning, with multiple accolades from the Royal Horticultural Society. This recognition reflects the quality of the gardens and the care invested in them, and it is something local residents take great pride in.”
While Amersham’s green spaces are much-loved by the community, it’s not just people that benefit from them. Both spaces provide crucial habitats to local wildlife.
“In addition to a wide variety of birds — with a recent bird count recording 17 species in the Memorial Gardens — we regularly see squirrels and the occasional fox,” says Steve.
“One of the highlights has been the sight of a kingfisher perched on the fountain at the centre of the Gardens, a rare but special treat.”
“While we are fortunate that Amersham does not face the same level of development pressure as some other towns, there are still ongoing pressures on land use that can affect green spaces if they are not carefully managed,” Steve explains.
“Protecting Amersham’s green spaces is important because they really are at the heart of the town and are part of everyday life for so many people. They’re places where residents can relax, exercise, meet friends or just enjoy being outdoors, making a real difference to people’s physical and mental wellbeing.
“By protecting these spaces now, we’re making sure future generations can continue to enjoy Amersham’s open spaces in the same way we do today.”
Parks, playgrounds, playing fields and green spaces protected with Fields in Trust are legally protected forever. They don’t just benefit today’s communities, but the children of the future too.
If you would like to see your local park become protected, you can find out more about how you can take action here.