Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is planning to build 300 homes in Cranbrook and Sissinghurst. The Cranbrook School War Memorial Playing Field is a possible site for a number of new houses. It seems, Cranbrook School is looking to sell the field for development. This will be a disaster for the local community.
The field is a Memorial Field which was left to the community of Cranbrook in 1922 in perpetuity, a letter addressed all Cranbrookians asking for their generosity and appealed for funds in support of the scheme to build a small chapel on the Memorial Field in memory of the 55 Cranbrookians who lost their lives in the Great War and a further 250 Cranbrookians who also served but were spared their lives.
The Community raised £859 13 shillings and 6 pence but support from the community was not there to build the chapel. It was then decided that a cricket field would be purchased with this money.., but this did not happen either.
After Cranbrook School came into a little bit of trouble, and lost their football field, it was agreed that Memorial Field would be purchased for the sum of £700 for the use of the school, and paid for out of the War Memorial Field funds raised. With the rest of the money it was proposed that a new double gate would be built in the corner of the field and they would put in good order the hedges around the field.
This plaque hidden away in Cranbrook School clearly shows what is the purpose of the "Rammell Field", and for how long it should remain that way for that purpose. The deed of 1922 also says the field is for a sports field and not for any general purposes of the school.
PLEASE ADD YOUR COMMENTS
[ posted by John, April 05, 2012 13:25 ]
Having read this article, I am left wondering why the field is now known as Rammell Field and not 'Cranbrook School War Memorial Playing Filed' It also strikes me as ironic that the business folk of Cranbrook fought for town status and now want a village green?
I totally agree about not using this for housing but have concerns that it is not (even now) being used by the people of Cranbrook as stated. Rather, by the school with SOME use by the town's folk, almost 'by appointment'.
There is another issue that irks me (and lots of others too) that being the inconsiderate parking of ever increasing numbers of vehicles in the entrance to the Frythe estate on rugby days. We feel we have to almost run the gauntlet to get past on some days with often rude behaviour such as standing talking with a car door open, blocking the road.Already the grass verge has had to be protected-why do we have to suffer this? Park in the school!