Cllr Cherry Beath

and the Combe Down Liberal Democrat Team Learn more

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Firs Field to become a Protected Centenary Field

by on 14 September, 2015

CB Firs Field Memorial 2014

Firs Field, the much-loved green space in Combe Down is to be put forward to gain official “Centenary Field” designation. This was agreed last week at Cabinet and Full Council Meetings.  “Centenary Fields” is a nationwide initiative of Fields in Trust in partnership with The Royal British Legion, to protect and preserve the UK’s war memorial fields, parks and green spaces, including in particular war memorials and other spaces with significance relating to World War One.

The Firs Field designation, which was initiated by the previous Liberal Democrat administration of B&NES Council, means the field will be protected in perpetuity through a legal Deed of Dedication between the Council and Fields in Trust.
Councillor Cherry Beath has championed this initiative from the start, working with Officers said:
“I am delighted to see Firs Field gain official designation as a Centenary Field. It is a fitting tribute to and reminder of those who gave their lives in the Great War” .
The history of Firs Field is particularly poignant. In 1919 a number of discharged soldiers requested
that a memorial Church Army Hut be built on the field in memory of their comrades who had died in the fighting. It was the local vicar, Reverend Sweetapple, acting on behalf of residents, who arranged for
the purchase of the field by public subscription.
“Many local residents remember Harry Patch, known as the ‘Last fighting Tommy’, who grew up in
Combe Down. He notably took part in the service to unveil the war memorial on 28th May 1921.
The field has remained a focus for the Combe Down community. Residents greatly value the origins of the field and the fact that local people gave subscriptions towards the purchase.

People will remember the War Memorial standing all the way through the Mines Stabilisation Project, amidst the engineering Plant, which occupied most of the Field for some 10 years. It was protected, and there was only one year when the Remembrance Ceremony was held elsewhere on the field.
This official Centenary designation will give the field added protection, much like Village Green Status, against any threat of future development, and will publicly honour its links with the First World War. The Council will continue to have responsibility to maintain the Field.

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