Grange Park in Old Coulsdon dedicated as living legacy to mark World War I Centenary

Grange Park, in Old Coulsdon, is now protected forever by Croydon Council as a Centenary Field following a campaign by the Friends of Grange Park. A dedication event took place on Saturday 15th April as part of the “Easter Eggstravaganza” community day; a memorial plaque was unveiled by Deputy Mayor, Toni Letts.

Run by national charity Fields in Trust, in partnership with The Royal British Legion, Centenary Fields aims to protect war memorial playing fields, parks and green spaces in memory of those who lost their lives during World War I.

This national programme is a unique way to commemorate the centenary of World War I. It gives landowners such as Croydon Council the opportunity to dedicate space to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives during the conflict, but also to ensure that future generations have valuable green space to enjoy as a living legacy. Centenary Fields protected through the programme can be war memorial parks or recreation grounds, memorial gardens, parks and recreation grounds that contain war memorials or other significant green spaces.

Grange Park is situated in a designated conservation area in the heart of Old Coulsdon and incorporates children’s play area and recreational green space. The village War Memorial stands on the edge of the park and takes the form of a wayside cross with the inscription: 'These men of Coulsdon, gave their lives in the War, 1914-1918.' The panels at the base contain the names of the fallen

Fields in Trust Chief Executive Helen Griffiths comments

“This programme is a fitting way for us to mark the sacrifices made by so many in World War I whilst looking to the future through a living remembrance. We are delighted that Croydon Council are embracing Centenary Fields, commemorating the centenary of World War I for the people of Old Coulsdon in a way they can appreciate forever. We look forward to many more landowners following their lead.”

Vice-Chair of Friends of Grange Park, Hannah Price-Harries, said: “This is a tremendous achievement for the Friends of Grange Park and a significant milestone for the community of Old Coulsdon. With the support of Fields in Trust we have campaigned hard to safeguard this treasured area of green space from development as a Centenary Field, and we are delighted that Croydon Council has chosen to protect Grange Park- the only park in Croydon to become a Centenary Field. We are proud that our efforts have secured the future of Grange Park for generations to come, which is a fitting tribute to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country during World War I.”

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For further information please contact: Richard McKeever, Marketing and Communications Manager, Fields in Trust, e: richard.mckeever@fieldsintrust.org t: 020 7427 2117

Photographs of the event are available to download

Notes to Editors:

Fields in Trust

• Centenary Fields is the new programme from Fields in Trust in partnership with The Royal British Legion from 2014-2018
• HM The Queen has been Patron of Fields in Trust for 60 years; HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was President for 64 years and succeeded by HRH The Duke of Cambridge in 2013. The Duke of Cambridge has also been the Patron of The Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge.

Landowners across the UK can nominate outdoor recreational spaces with a relevant connection to WWI. For example the parks, playing fields, memorial gardens or village halls with grounds could contain a war memorial or have some other significance to WWI.

All sites secured through the Centenary Fields programme will receive a commemorative plaque

Fields in Trust is a national charity founded in 1925 to improve the protection, provision and quality of outdoor recreational spaces for all communities in the UK