We’re lucky to have lots of local parks in Nottingham – but they don’t just establish or maintain themselves. As the lungs, playgrounds, and life-givers of our city, they’ve seen a whole range of uses over time, from wartime food growing through to cricket grounds, football pitches, and skate parks. Celebrating the enduring legacy of King George V’s memorial fund, genealogist and local historian Russell Davies of Leaves of History digs deep into the origins of the parks it bestowed, and their shifting purposes and stewardship.
This year marks the ninetieth anniversary of the King George V Memorial Fund, a national initiative that has quietly shaped the landscape of parks and green spaces across the United Kingdom. Although the influence of King George V on the country’s parks is rarely discussed, his legacy is evident in the playing fields and public spaces that continue to benefit communities, especially in Nottinghamshire.
Established in honour of King George V, the Memorial Fund was supported by contributions from people of all backgrounds. Its impact was substantial, with £400,000 specifically allocated to the King George V Playing Fields Fund. The aim was to create accessible green spaces and playing fields for the enjoyment and wellbeing of the general public.
It’s easy to take for granted the ability to stroll through a park or enjoy a game on a local playing field. However, these spaces are not always guaranteed. Without proper respect and preservation, parks and green spaces can be lost to anti-social behaviour or sold off for development in the name of progress
In Nottinghamshire, the administration of these playing fields fell to the Notts Playing Field Association which was founded in 1927. Their drive to establish parks and playing fields was a response to a pressing health crisis affecting the poorer and working-class population. Many homes lacked gardens, which led to issues with health and hygiene in the cities and large towns. Recognising the urgent need for outdoor spaces, Parliament initiated legislation requiring parks and green spaces to be built across the country.
Several committees organised by the local Corporation (a previous incarnation of the City Council) took on the task of transforming neglected spaces into vibrant community assets. This included repurposing disused burial grounds such as Barker Gate and Walnut Tree Lane (now known as People’s College on Maid Marian Way) into public parks. These new and revitalised spaces were needed for older people to enjoy the outdoors and the new parks featured playing fields for football, tennis, and cricket, and pitch-and-putt golf courses. The parks and playing fields continued to be built on, with public events when new areas were opened, like on 27 July 1950 the Sheriff of Nottingham Mr W. Murby opened the children’s play park at Aspley.
The coronation in 1937 made good use of the parks across Nottingham, with floodlights on prominent buildings, and bands playing at the Forest, the Embankment, the Castle grounds, the Arboretum, King George V Playing Fields in Aspley, Wollaton Park, Woodthorpe Grange, Vernon Park and King Edward Park. During 1939 a new playing field was created on Carlton Hill and this was also named after King George V. It was greatly celebrated by Mr R. Assheton MP, who was overjoyed that it was named after the late King.
Perhaps the greatest legacy of the King George V playing fields is the proliferation of sporting opportunities. Today, Nottinghamshire boasts non-league football clubs, local cricket teams, and tennis centres, all rooted in the parks established by the Memorial Fund. Many residents have fond memories of cheering on their local teams from the sidelines of a King George V park.
“I remember as a boy watching my local non-league football team (Arnold Town) on King George V park on Hallams Lane,” said resident David P, who grew up in Arnold. “I would try to attend as many home games as buying tickets using any pocket money my parents had given me. If memory serves, I believe I used to be able to buy historic Nottingham Forest programmes from the club at half time.”
During wartime, these parks also served practical purposes, such as growing food; over four tons were produced in Aspley alone, which helped bring people closer together in those dark times.
Colwick Hill Park holds a unique place in local history, having been the site of a zeppelin raid targeting searchlights and anti-aircraft guns. Later, as the flight of the R101 airship was seen across Nottinghamshire, people gathered in parks to watch it pass overhead.
This highlighted one of the delights of these parks, the breathtaking views they offer; some elevated locations provide views stretching into Derbyshire, Leicestershire, and Lincolnshire, granting locals a rare perspective on their surroundings.
The benefits of these green spaces extend well beyond sport, contributing to public health, community spirit, and social cohesion. The Arboretum has events across the year and a lot of these parks have a connection to Nottinghamshire families, being the grounds to stately homes and manor houses, now open to the general public. Their positive influence has sometimes been overlooked or even politicised by officials, but their significance cannot be overstated.
I spoke with Sara Davies, Walk Notts Strategic Lead with Active Notts, who aim to inspire, support and enable residents and communities in the county to walk (and wheel) in their everyday lives.
“It’s of vital importance that everyone has safe and well-maintained green spaces and parks on their doorstep,” said Sara. “They’re so good for people’s mental and physical health; enabling social and community cohesion and connectedness as well as providing benefits for nature and climate. They also provide much needed spaces for families, friends and communities to come together – to go for a walk and a talk, play, socialise, and picnic. We all feel so much better for connecting with nature – listening to the birds sing, watching the flowers grow, the trees blossom, the squirrels scampering around and feeling the breeze in your hair.”
It’s easy to take for granted the ability to stroll through a park or enjoy a game on a local playing field. However, these spaces are not always guaranteed. Without proper respect and preservation, parks and green spaces can be lost to anti-social behaviour or sold off for development in the name of progress. We’re fortunate that King George V playing fields are protected by a trust, and along with many enthusiastic volunteer Friends groups defending, restoring, and litter-picking many of these spaces today – networked by the Nottingham Open Spaces Forum charity–- they should be here for generations to come.
From the passing of a monarch who cherished the outdoors to the enduring legacy of parks, playing fields, and community events, the King George V Memorial Fund has changed the face of the nation. Its impact continues to be felt in Nottinghamshire, offering countless opportunities for sport, relaxation, and togetherness – an achievement well worth celebrating.
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