Firs Field at the heart of Combe Down in Bath is to be protected forever by Bath & North East Somerset Council as a Centenary Field, run by national charity Fields in Trust.
Working in partnership with The Royal British Legion, the Centenary Fields initiative aims to protect war memorial playing fields, parks and green spaces in memory of those who lost their lives during World War 1.
The Firs Field is the only Centenary Field in Bath and North East Somerset, and this now gives it the added full protection against any development, so that it will remain a green space for enjoyment by residents in perpetuity.
Local group the Friends of Firs Field have organised a community event to dedicate a special Centenary Field plaque on Saturday 17th September at 3.00pm, which will include the reading of names on the Combe Down war memorial.
Councillor Martin Veal (Conservative, Lansdown), Cabinet Member for Community Services, said: “I’d encourage all local residents to come to this significant celebration of the Firs Field.
“It’s a unique way to commemorate the centenary of World War 1 and to mark Combe Down’s long association with Harry Patch, ‘the last surviving Tommy’ who died aged 111 in 2009.
“People may not know that Firs Field was bought by public subscription, inspired by a group of returning WW1 soldiers.”
Councillor Cherry Beath (Lib Dem, Combe Down), who started this process in 2014 and paid for the plaque from her Ward Councillor Initiative grant allocation, said: “I’m delighted Firs Field now has Centenary Field status and am pleased to have been able to support the Centenary Field bronze plaque.
“Firs Field is an extremely important green space, highly valued by the local community. The Friends of Firs Field group should be congratulated for their hard work in overseeing the field and for choosing the plaque.”
