Saturday afternoon saw an important celebration and commemoration in the Firs Field, of the Designation of the Field as a Centenary Field.

The “Friends of Firs Field” Group put on an excellent thoughtful event, with The Deputy Mayor (unveiling the Fields in Trust Plaque) and The Chair of the Council, who made a speech. I was asked to speak on the Award, and the importance of the Field locally, and a bit on the History. The names of local young men who died in the Great War, were read out by Cllr Goodman. The Friends Group had tied Union Jack bunting to the Memorial railings, one for every name

This Designation gives the Field protection in perpetuity, so that this great focal green space can go on being enjoyed by all in the future. It is a very fitting tribute to those locally who give their lives in the Great War. 

Lots of local people came along to the Field, the Bath Spa Band played wonderfully.  Vicar, Paul Kenchington, (Holy Trinity) and Father Bill (St Peter and Paul) said prayers, Phil Nodder read a fascinating reminder of how much homing Pigeons were used in the War, and local Bath pigeon keeper, Mr Paradise, let off his homing Pigeons during the Ceremony.

You will be aware from previous Posts, that last year Firs Field, the much-loved green space in Combe Down, gained official “Centenary Field” designation. Cllr Cherry Beath received the Award at a Celebration on 2nd December 2015, the Firs Field was cited as one of the “Show Case” National Examples, link here:http://www.fieldsintrust.org/awards

“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.

In 2014, under the previous Lberal Democrat Administration, Cherry put forward the idea of The Firs Field going forward for this Designation as its history is such a good fit with the ethos of the Award.

Firs Field has a particularly poignant story, and is the only Field in Bath & North East Somerset with this status. Cllr Cherry Beath has been working with the local Friends of the Field Group, and as well as the Fields in Trust Plaque sent to the Council this year, The Friends Group have commissioned a more permanent Bronze Plaque, which is still at the Foundry, and will be installed in a month or so time. Cherry has funded this Plaque from her Ward Councillor Monies.