RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

Evening Star, Issue 21218, 27 September 1932, Page 7

RECREATIONAL FACILITIES

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE OLD COUNTRY Dealing with recreational facilities for the unemployed, a writer in a Warwickshire paper says: At the request of the Trade Union Congress General Council the National Playing Fields Association has agreed to co-operate in the steps which are being taken by that body to endeavour to organise recreational facilities for the unemployed. The importance of keeping physically fit those who, through no fault of their own, find themselves without employment, is. obvious, and the Warwickshire Playing Fields Association desires to commend the scheme to all who can render assistance in one or other of the following ways:— 1. The association appeals for the loan of playing pitches under proper safeguards, as the first need to be met is that of facilities for the playing of team and other games. It may sometimes be possible for local authorities to arrange for pitches to be made available in public parks and recreation grounds and on commons. But public grounds are on the whole overworked already, and an appeal is therefore made to schools, sports clubs of all kinds, and private owners to consider whether they can offer to local Unemployed Associations affiliated to the Trade Union Congress facilities for the playing of games at stated times. Permission to play

cricket or football for a few hours a week when the state- of the turf admits need not interfere with the ordinary user of the field, and would be a boon to those who have nowhere to play. Sportsmen, too, may be willing to offer their services as coaches or umpires as a response to the recent social service appeal made by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. 2. It is further necessary to secure a supply of bats, balls, and other equipment for cricket, football, and tennis, together with other gear,. in* eluding disused sweaters or flannels likely to be of use.