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69-935: As well as campaigning to protect playing fields and open space, Fields in Trust legally protects the King George's Fields , 471 public recreation grounds set up as a memorial to King George V . The charity was set up in 1925 as the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA), by Brigadier-General Reginald Kentish and was founded by the Duke of York , later King George VI , who was the first president. This royal link continued with Queen Elizabeth II as Patron from 1952 until her death in 2022 and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh , as President from 1947 until he stepped down in 2013 to be succeeded by his grandson William, Prince of Wales . Prince William became

138-592: A 92-year-old poppy seller who allegedly committed suicide due to overwhelming requests for donations from charities, sparked widespread public fear and media attention across England and Wales. This scandal prompted a review of the self-regulation of fundraising practices in England and Wales, as well as Scotland, subsequently leading to the introduction of self-regulatory reforms in both jurisdictions. In 2021, The Guardian reported that Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden "had instructed officials to ensure candidates for

207-574: A Memorial to His Late Majesty under the provisions of the KGFF and shall henceforth be known as a 'King George’s Field'." The NPFA would act, as administrator, to look at and consider proposals in order to allocate grants. A Charity Commission Scheme was made on 1 December 1965 passing the trusteeship of the Foundation to the NPFA and, among other things, widening the objects of the Foundation to include

276-411: A charitable purpose that helps the public. Afterwards, the administration must select an official name and decide on a structure for the charity that will impact aspect such as who runs the charity and how does the charity is run. Subsequently, the creation of a governing document that explain how the charity is run is required. Finally, an electronic application must be completed if the charity’s income

345-563: A design approved by the Administrative Council. Money was raised locally to buy the land, with a grant made by the foundation. After purchase the land was passed to the National Playing Fields Association , (now known as Fields in Trust ) to "preserve and safeguard the land for the public benefit". Land was still being acquired for the purpose during the 1950s and early 1960s. When the King George's Fields Foundation

414-400: A design approved by the Administrative Council." The trust deed defined a 'Playing Field' as "any open space used for the purpose of outdoor games, sports and pastimes." The project was to be a flexible one, focusing on urban areas, but not exclusively so, and carried out in each locality according to its requirements. It would enlist local interest and support, gratefully accepting gifts in

483-525: A design by George Kruger Gray . In the case of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the panel on the left is the Lion, holding a Royal Shield, with the words 'George V' underneath, and below them 'A.D. 1910–1936'; and on the right is the Unicorn holding a similar shield with the words 'King George's Field' underneath. In the case of Scotland, the relative positions of the Lion and the Unicorn are reversed, and

552-461: A few years. The land had to be developed in some suitable way for playing on; ornamental gardens and parks, for example, were not accepted. Additionally, each scheme was to have an entrance to the field designed to provide a sufficiently dignified setting for the heraldic panels that distinguish a field as a 'King George's Field'. While no particular style was adopted by the Foundation, it discouraged ornate or expensive entrance gates, and recommended

621-478: A fundraising preference service. This service allows the public to control how charities contact them. The commission carries out general monitoring of charities as part of its regular casework. In serious cases of abuse and regulatory concern, the commission has powers outlined in the Charities Acts to conduct statutory investigations. Before taking the decision to open a statutory inquiry , it will take

690-599: A local trustee require the consent of the NPFA, which has the duty of preserving the King George's Fields. The NPFA was also given powers to use the remainder of the funds available for repairs or renewal of items of a capital nature including the replacement of heraldic panels. The King George's Fields were set up in memory of King George V and provided and protected valuable open spaces and facilities, still of great value, for children and young people in particular. They are, in most cases, established on charitable trust and protected ‘in perpetuity’. The Foundation's aim in 1936

759-680: A minimum necessity for space. In 1992, the Association revised its recommendations on recreational space to include the Children’s Playing Space Standard aspect of the Six Acre Standard - part of the recommendation then was a general statement of the need for adequate children’s playing space. Fields in Trust supervises the property over which the Association acts as Guardian Trustee and ensures that it retains its charitable purpose. The Fields in Trust charity has

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828-492: A minimum standard of provision of 5 acres (2.0 ha) of public open space for every 1,000 people, of which at least 4 acres (1.6 ha) "should be set aside for team games, tennis, bowls and children’s playgrounds". Since then, Fields in Trust have kept the recreational space standard under regular review. It now stands as the Six Acre Standard , recommending 6 acres (2.4 ha) per 1,000 head of population as

897-624: A role in the protection of over 2,800 parks, playing fields and nature reserves across the United Kingdom. In total, the Fields in Trust's land portfolio represents an interest over 30,000 acres (12,000 ha). In the 1920s and 1930s many of the sites were funded by the Carnegie United Kingdom Trust on the basis that the land would be kept as public playing fields in perpetuity. In all of its work, Fields in Trust

966-453: A simple raising of the wall would provide an appropriate setting for the heraldic panels. Brick piers were built of a narrow brick, not machine-pressed brick, and excessive or elaborate mouldings were avoided. The most suitable field entrance for many villages was a wicket or field gate of English oak properly framed and pinned, hung to oak posts with hinges wrought by the local blacksmith. Where iron gates were more suitable over-elaboration

1035-513: A variety of games. The smallest King George's Field at less than 1/4 acre is in the City of London, where the most urgent need was to keep children off the roads. Certain conditions had to be observed. The Foundation, very much aware of the concept of a National Memorial, required security of tenure over the land and its dedication for permanent preservation as a 'King George's Field'. Funds were not made available for schemes that might disappear after

1104-957: Is a non-ministerial department of His Majesty's Government that regulates registered charities in England and Wales and maintains the Central Register of Charities . Its counterparts in Scotland and Northern Ireland are the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator and the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland . Orlando Fraser succeeded interim chair, Ian Karet, who succeeded Baroness Stowell of Beeston . The commission has four sites in London , Taunton , Liverpool and Newport . Its website lists

1173-399: Is a public open space in the United Kingdom dedicated to the memory of King George V (1865–1936). In 1936, after the king's death, Sir Percy Vincent , the then- Lord Mayor of London , formed a committee to determine a memorial that was not solely based on the idea of a statue. They arrived the same year at the concept of funding and erecting a single statue in London and setting up

1242-511: Is also linked to many other bodies, and the members of the organisation include local authorities, individuals, playing field associations, schools, and sports clubs. In 1972, Fields in Trust (then the NFPA) supported the Bishop of Stepney, Trevor Huddleston , in denouncing the lack of play provision which had led to the deaths by drowning of two boys who lived in his diocese. This gave the impetus to

1311-558: Is assisted by affiliated national and county associations and other partners. Fields in Trust is the Trustee of the King George's Fields Foundation (KGFF). The Foundation was established as a Memorial to the Late King George V by Trust Deed on 3 November 1936. The objects of the Trust were "to promote and to assist in the establishment throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of Playing Fields for

1380-791: Is at £5,000 per year, or it is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO). There are different rules for creating a charity in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Some charities are not subject to regulation by or registration with the Charity Commission, because they are already regulated by another body, and are known as exempt charities . Most exempt charities are listed in Schedule 3 to the Charities Act 2011 , but some charities are made exempt by other acts. However exempt charities must still comply with charity law and may approach

1449-696: Is deemed as a community asset, and value, and is protected by legislation in the Core Strategy (2006-2026). Versions of the Guidance for the devolved administrations of Scotland and Wales were launched in January 2017 as well as a Welsh Language edition. Children's sports fields on educational land are not recorded as Open Space and are not protected by Open Space legislation. However, any change of use of educational land requires local or national government approval. The government decisions can be contested by

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1518-521: The Charitable Trusts Act 1853 . There had been several attempts at reforming charities before that which had been opposed by various interest groups including the church, the courts, the companies, and the universities. The power of the commission was strengthened by amendments to the act in 1855, 1860, and 1862. The Charity Commission was substantially reconstituted by the Charities Act 1960 ( 8 & 9 Eliz. 2 . c. 58), which replaced

1587-674: The Department for Education to scrutinise the disposal or change of use of playing fields and school land. Recommendations on Outdoor Playing Space were first formulated in 1925, soon after the Association’s formation. This was with the intention of ensuring "every man, woman and child in Great Britain should have the opportunity of participating in outdoor recreational activity within a reasonable distance of home during leisure hours". The charity urged all local authorities to adopt

1656-649: The Fair Play for Children campaign. Fields in Trust set standards for playground provision in the UK through the Six Acre Standard , which is widely recognised as a planning tool for local authorities as a basis, when stipulating play area provision for new housing development, and in local play policies. Fields in Trust is one of the agencies represented on the UK Government School Playing Fields Advisory Panel convened by

1725-482: The National Coal Board refused to pay for the work. It also proposed asking parents 'exactly how close were you to your child?'; those found not to have been close to their children would not be compensated. The Charities Act 2006 established its current structure and name. As of 31 March 2015 the commission had 288 employees and 19 agency staff in post. The Olive Cooke case, involving

1794-830: The Voluntary and Community Unit of the Department for Social Development , part of the Northern Ireland Executive . The Charities Act 2006 requires the Commission to be operationally independent of ministerial influence or control. Members of the commission, including the chair, are appointed by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport . The Finance Act 2010 extended charitable tax benefits (for example Gift Aid ) to charities within EU member states, Norway and Iceland, rather than those just inside

1863-710: The "preservation" of the King George’s Fields. The Six Acre Standard aims to help land use planners ensure a sufficient level of open space to enable residents of all ages to participate in sports and games with an emphasis on access for children to playgrounds and other play space. The standard suggests that for each 1000 residents there should be a total of 6 acres (2.4 ha) of recreational land, of which 4 acres (1.6 ha) should be for outdoor sport and recreation space (including parks) and 2 acres (0.81 ha) for children's play, with some of this being equipped playgrounds In its publication The Six Acre Standard ,

1932-533: The Charitable Trusts Acts (1853-1891). This introduced new duties to determine charitable status, and to maintain a public register of charities. The commission was criticised after the Aberfan disaster in 1966 for its intransigence and decisions on what it allowed money from the disaster fund to be spent on. It sanctioned the use of £150,000 to remove remaining spoil tips from the area after

2001-404: The Charity Commission chair role were "tested" on how they would use the watchdog's powers to rebalance charities by "refocusing" them on their founding missions", in response to what he described as "a worrying trend in some charities that appear to have been hijacked by a vocal minority seeking to burnish their woke credentials." Orlando Fraser was appointed as chair of the Charity Commission by

2070-585: The Charity Commission for advice. Some charities are 'excepted' from charity registration. This means they do not have to register or submit annual returns, but are in all other respects subject to regulation by the Charity Commission. A charity is excepted if its income is £100,000 or less and it is in one of the following groups: churches and chapels belonging to certain Christian denominations (until 2031); charities that provide premises for some types of schools; Scout and Guide groups; charitable service funds of

2139-604: The City of London set up a committee to consider what form a national memorial to the King should take. In March 1936, the committee decided that there should be a statue in London and a philanthropic scheme of specific character that would benefit the whole country and be associated with King George V's name. As a result, in the November of that year, the King George's Fields Foundation was constituted by Trust Deed to give effect to

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2208-508: The FiT outlines a more detailed breakdown including a hierarchy of child play space. Fields in Trust reissued The Six Acre Standard under the new name Guidance for Outdoor Sport and Play in 2015 as an online reference work for planners in the UK. It has been updated to include the modern planning regime and new topics such as sustainability and the local environment. These areas come under the heading "Open Space" which refers to all open space, and

2277-493: The Foundation was to secure a living memorial by way of playing fields to the late sovereign, and that these open spaces be directly associated with that memory by being named 'King George's Fields'. Playing fields were to be acquired, planned, equipped, maintained and safeguarded for recreational purposes in towns and villages throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland. However, the cost required to acquire, construct and equip such fields for public use would prove too costly for

2346-528: The Foundation. Among the factors taken into account by the Grants Committee were the population, number and size of existing playing fields, and local economic conditions. No size or standard of field, or particular facilities, were prescribed. Some very large schemes emerged; the largest King George's Field in Enfield, London, covers approximately 128 acres (0.5 km ), providing many pitches for

2415-504: The King George's Fields Foundation (KGFF) alone. To determine the best ways and means in which to remember George V, and to put in motion the necessary machinery to raise the required funds, a national appeal was set up. £557,436 was raised in the period just before the Second World War. The Foundation found at the outset that half a million pounds was not enough to meet the costs of acquiring fields and maintaining them for all

2484-430: The King George's Fields Foundation with the aim: To promote and to assist in the establishment throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of playing fields for the use and enjoyment of the people. Each of the playing fields would: Be styled 'King George's Field' and to be distinguished by heraldic panels or other appropriate tablet medallion or inscription commemorative of His Late Majesty and of

2553-631: The Scottish arms take prior place in the Shield and the Unicorn wears a crown. The wording below is identical. These panels are essential to the heritage of the Foundation. Subject to the Deed of Dedication, the fields are, in most cases, established on charitable trust and protected in ‘perpetuity’. The NPFA gives initial guidance and the necessary information on the specific design. Charity Commission The Charity Commission for England and Wales

2622-675: The Secretary of State on a three-year term commencing from 25 April 2022. This appointment was not without controversy, including the refusal of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sports Committee to endorse the appointment. Prior to restructuring in 2006, the equivalent of the Chair was the Chief Charity Commissioner. From 2006 the role of chief charity commissioner was replaced with those of chair and chief executive of

2691-694: The UK. In 2016, following the Olive Cooke scandal, the British fundraising regulatory landscape underwent a review, leading to the establishment of the Fundraising Regulator. The Fundraising Regulator is an independent oversight body without statutory authority. It serves as the regulatory authority for charitable fundraising, responsible for defining and promoting fundraising standards. Additionally, it investigates cases, addresses public complaints related to fundraising practices, and operates

2760-409: The approach set out in its Regulatory and Risk framework. The commission, therefore, began around 2007 to carry out an intermediate form of action described as regulatory compliance investigations. In 2010 it opened over 140 of these cases, compared to just three full statutory investigations. However, the legality of these actions was debatable as they lacked a statutory basis . A high-profile example

2829-440: The armed forces; and students' unions . Registration of a charity in England and Wales does not endow that status elsewhere, thus further registration has to be made before operating in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Charities in Scotland are regulated by the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator . In Northern Ireland the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland was established in 2009 to replace earlier regulation by

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2898-559: The charity's patron in 2024. Fields in Trust is a charity incorporated by Royal charter in 1932. The organisation was awarded the Olympic Cup in 1931 by the International Olympic Committee in recognition of its work providing Playing Fields in Great Britain. The Charity’s affairs are conducted through its Council, which meets quarterly to set the policy of the Association and to oversee its work. It

2967-494: The death of George V in March 1936. Rather than finance the entire cost of a few schemes, grants were given towards the cost of as many fields as possible, the balance being raised by the local authority or other organisation providing the field and accepting responsibility for its maintenance. In most cases, the responsible body entered into a Deed of Dedication declaring that the recreation ground shall "be preserved in perpetuity as

3036-417: The design of the entrance. Highly ornate and expensive entrances were not encouraged. For many schemes designs were adopted by the local bodies to meet the Foundation's minimum requirements. In this instance, local conditions and local materials were taken into consideration as an essential part of the design. The width, material and size of entrances were governed by the size of the particular field, and by

3105-494: The final list of the approved schemes under their respective countries. Table 2 summarises land ownership. Notes: The 1960s brought about further change. Almost thirty years had passed since the Foundation came into being and the time had now come to hand over responsibility to the National Playing Fields Association, (now known as Fields in Trust ) of which Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

3174-416: The form of monies or land. Each field would have a distinctive uniform tablet as an appropriate visible commemoration of George V. This was considered to be as the King would have wished, particularly in the service rendered to youth through providing for them an environment and opportunity for open air exercise, for the benefit of individual well-being and the general welfare of the nation. The purpose of

3243-541: The form of what was to be called Grant-in-Aid Policy set up on 1 March 1937. However, this would be possible only through the support of members and donors, and local authorities' commitment and co-operation. To avoid duplication of effort and minimise administrative costs, the Foundation consulted the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) and its affiliated county organisations. The NPFA would act, as administrator, to look at and consider proposals in order to allocate grants. The amount of grant to be given rested with

3312-429: The latest annual reports submitted by charities in England and Wales. During the financial year 2022–2023, the Commission regulated £88   billion of charity income and £85   billion of charity spend. To establish a charity, an organisation must first find at least three trustees whom will be responsible for the general control and management of the administration of the charity. The organisation needs to have

3381-607: The local community. Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, (known as the "Queen Elizabeth Fields Challenge" in Scotland), was a programme run by Fields in Trust aiming to protect outdoor recreational spaces across the UK to create a "grassroots legacy" in celebration of the 2012 Diamond Jubilee . The National Playing Fields Association has had a member of the Royal Family serving as president since their foundation in 1925: King George%27s Fields A King George's Field

3450-457: The main entrance to the field; the Lion panel to be fixed on the left of the entrance and the Unicorn panel on the right, except Scotland, where the opposite is compulsory. Where the piers of the entrance are of brick or stone, the panels were of stone 2 ft (1 m) high by 1 ft 6 in (0.46 m) broad. Where wooden posts form the gate-supports, smaller plaques in bronze were issued – 11¼ins high by 8¼ins broad. The panels feature

3519-405: The neighbourhood. The local bodies were encouraged to employ an architect of their own choice, but, where desired, the foundation's architect gave the necessary guidance. On 3 November 1936, the King George's Fields Foundation (KGFF) was constituted as a charitable trust to give effect to the scheme. The objects of the trust were "to promote and to assist in the establishment of playing fields for

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3588-490: The places in the country where they were needed. The National Memorial Fund Committee had concluded that the maximum results might best be achieved by 'distributing the funds by way of grants-in-aid towards the capital costs of as many fields as possible', the balance of the capital required for each scheme to be raised by the local authorities or local bodies of Trustees managing and accepting responsibility for their maintenance as King George's Fields. The plan of action came in

3657-462: The responsibility of paying £12,200 of allocated but unspent funds for certain purposes in connection with the approved 'King George's Fields'. Under the Commissioners' Scheme, responsibilities of the National Playing Fields Association as trustees of the charity were extended to include the "preservation" in addition to "establishment" of the King George's Fields. This means that any plans by

3726-605: The scheme. The urbanisation of the twentieth century in Great Britain was bringing home to many public-spirited people the fact that lack of open spaces must restrict the rising generation physically. The aim of the Foundation was "to promote and to assist in the establishment throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland of playing fields for the use and enjoyment of the people every such playing field to be styled 'King George’s Field' and to be distinguished by heraldic panels or other appropriate tablet medallion or inscription commemorative of His Late Majesty and of

3795-484: The size of community most likely to use it. It was suggested that wherever possible the actual gates should be set back from the boundary line of the field next to the road so as to provide a clear space outside for children leaving the field. In cases where a field was unfenced no actual gates would be necessary but piers bearing the heraldic panels might be placed as pylons to mark the most important point of entry. Consideration also had to be taken into account regarding

3864-494: The type of stone used for the pillars. Particular attention was given to using quality local materials. For instance, stone piers in Bath would have been treated quite differently from those of Derbyshire or Cornwall. In counties where buildings and walls were predominantly built of stone, the piers would be built of the local stone. Where a field had a stone wall enclosing it, it might well be that piers would be unnecessary and that

3933-413: The use and enjoyment of the people every such Playing Field to be styled ‘King George’s Field’ and to be distinguished by heraldic panels or other appropriate tablet medallion or inscription commemorative of the King". The Trust defined a playing field as "any open space used for the purpose of outdoor games, sports and pastimes". These playing fields have their origins in an appeal launched shortly after

4002-414: The use and enjoyment of the people throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland". All the playing fields were to be styled and called 'King George's Field' and were to be distinguished by heraldic panels of a specific nature. These heraldic panels were issued as a gift by the foundation to all approved schemes, and became the official emblems of the national memorial. Although there

4071-563: The use of local materials. Between the opening of the grants policy on 1 March 1937 and the outbreak of war in September, 1939, the Foundation approved 462 schemes out of a possible 1,800 preliminary applications. Approximately £400,000 of funds had been allocated as grants to various schemes in towns and villages the length and breadth of the country. However, during the seven years that war raged in Europe, construction work on playing fields

4140-483: Was President until succeeded by his grandson Prince William, Duke of Cambridge in 2013. The Foundation was never intended to continue to exist with its own trustees. The NPFA assumed total responsibility as the trustee of the charity, as agreed through a Scheme of the Charity Commissioners on 1 December 1965. Residual funds in the sum of £41,251 were transferred to the NPFA, which was then charged with

4209-455: Was a condition that the land is legally dedicated as such, and that the terms of its tenure should ensure its preservation for public recreation. It was also a condition that for every scheme the foundation's architect should approve the design of the entrance on which the heraldic panels were to be displayed. The governing factor with regard to the design of the entrance was ‘appropriateness’ – simple designs of character and materials suited to

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4278-468: Was all but at a standstill. After 1945, with changed circumstances and social political issues in need of urgent prioritisation – for example, health, education and housing – many of the original approved schemes were abandoned, though in a number of cases alternative schemes were approved and grant-aided. All schemes were eventually completed in the 1960s. It took some time before all the "King George’s Fields" were completed in every detail. Table 1 shows

4347-406: Was dissolved in 1965 there were 471 King George Playing Fields , all over the UK. They are now legally protected by Fields in Trust and managed locally by either the council or a board of local trustees. There are covenants and conditions that ensure that the public will continue to benefit from these open play areas. On 30 January 1936 upon the death of King George V, the then Lord Mayor of

4416-462: Was later reversed by the Commission. Between 2022 and 2023, the commission removed 4,146 charities from the register and concluded 5,726 regulatory action cases (includes 68 statutory inquiries). Prior to the 1840s, a body of commissioners had been established by the Statute of Charitable Uses 1601 ( 43 Eliz. 1 . c. 4), but these proved ineffective. The Charity Commission was first established by

4485-566: Was no set recommendation on the design of memorial entrances as a suitable tribute, it was agreed that every field should bear a unique insignia associated with George V. The arrangements between the Foundation and the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA) were as follows: Approval by the NPFAs, as trustee of the Foundation, is still sought for any schemes or proposals for King George's Fields. The Foundation, in pursuance of its national memorial purpose, had to prescribe certain conditions as to

4554-468: Was the commission's report into The Atlantic Bridge , after which that body was dissolved in September 2011. The commission announced in October 2011, in the context of cost-cutting and a re-focussing of its activities, that it would no longer carry out regulatory compliance investigations. In 2012, the commission refused to grant charitable status to Plymouth Brethren Christian Church , stating that it

4623-453: Was to be avoided. Designs had to be simple, made of wrought iron, and of such a type as could easily be opened and closed by children. Consideration too had to be given that the gates were strong enough to withstand rough and constant usage. The memorial panels were to be set on the upper portion of each gate pier. Heraldic panels were made of either stone or bronze and, in some cases, brass. These panels were, and still must be, displayed at

4692-419: Was to make its funds stretch as far as possible. The total capital value of the 471 'King George's Fields' in 1936 amounted to approximately £4,000,000, measured by total expenditure on acquisition and development of land, undertaken by the local bodies concerned, with the aid of the grants made to them by the Foundation. As every 'King George's Field' (KGF) forms part of a national memorial to King George V, it

4761-491: Was unclear whether the body's aims were compatible with the requirement for charities to have a public benefit. The commission stated that this was called into doubt as a result of the "exclusivity" of the body. The decision was discussed at a session of the Public Accounts Committee , during which MP Charlie Elphicke accused the commission of being "committed to the suppression of religion". The decision

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