The first session of the revised WEA short course (five weeks) entitled ‘A Place of Resort’ took place Monday evening. Eight students this time, so the course may not be allowed to continue, with illustrated introductory info. about public parks, recreation grounds, allotment sites and civil cemeteries. Very lively class discussions and a very enjoyable class.
Further research on the 1859 Recreation Grounds Act, which clearly initiated the development of playing fields seen today, showed the following;
- Initially recreation grounds were to be run by Trustees, rather than a local government body, although the trustees had to come from dignitaries (not the term used in the Act) such as lord of the manor, members of the parish vestry, etc and if they fail in their duty to oversee the recreation ground then the Charity Commissioners would step-in and appoint temporary managers (sounds very familiar for our day-and age).
- The managers should make and make known necessary byelaws. This became an inevitable factor of all public places of resort. Examination of Hull’s Committee Minute Books make reference to these often as related to public parks and cemeteries.
- Some clauses of the 1859 Act relate to the acquisition of land for recreation grounds and set out the form of conveyance necessary. Municipal Corporations could donate land as could parishes through the good offices of churchwardens or local overseers of the poor, but the latter had to be approved by the regional Poor Law Board. A proposed recreation ground could receive any donation up to £1000.
- Finally the 1859 Act was to apply to England and Ireland (no reference to Scotland or Wales?).
As to the answer to such questions as where were the first recreation grounds in the Humberside region? or when specific recreation grounds seen today were created I, as yet, don’t have answers.