History and Purpose

The Recreation Ground and Children’s Play Area

This is an important feature of the Parish of Hartlip.

The land was gifted to the parish in 1929 by Mr Herbert Hales out of his personal estate.

Mr Hales included specific wishes in The Deed of Conveyance and, in recent years,

his living relatives have stated that they feel strongly that these wishes must continue to be respected.

Mr Hales laid down that the Recreation Ground should not be used for organised sports or games on Sundays and that intoxicating liquor should never be sold on the land.

It was Mr Hales express wish that a fenced Children’s Play Area was provided within the Recreation Ground for the children of the parish to enjoy in safety. There was no instruction that any play equipment need be installed.For some decades the Recreation Ground was a centre for parish activity.

The Fete was held on it for many years and the Cricket Club and Football Club had their grounds there supported by a Pavilion. It was the chosen site for the Coronation Oak planted by the Parish of Hartlip to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II’s Accession to the throne.

The parish has appreciated and benefited from the generosity of Mr Hales since 1929 and it is delightful to see this facility still being enjoyed by people today.

The Recreation Ground is parish land and is maintained wholly by Hartlip Parish Council from the funds it derives from the Parish Precept.

It is not a municipal facility and receives no local authority funding.

During the Covid Pandemic of 2020/22 Hartlip Parish Council planted a significant number of saplings at the back and sides of the Recreation Ground in response to climate change concerns.