“KING GEORGE’S FIELDS”

Evening Star, Issue 22816, 26 November 1937, Page 6

“KING GEORGE’S FIELDS”

STiitLUS TO BRITISH SPORT Rarely, if ever, has British sport had so much spent on it as is to be provided by the King George V. memorial fund (writes the London correspondent of the Sydney ‘Morning Herald’). The sum raised to date amounts to nearly £590,000, of which £431,000 has been handed to the King George’s Fields Foundation for the purchase and equipment of playing fields. The National Playing Fields’ Association is examining the various schemes submitted to the foundation. Of the 1,000 received, about 40 have already been approved in various parts of the British Isles. The fourth “ King George Field ” to be opened was at Walsall in Staffordshire on August 14. Forty acres were obtained by the Walsall Memorial Committee, which submitted its scheme to the foundation It was approved and the heraldic panels which proclaim it a “ King George’s Field ” were unveiled at the opening ceremony. Thus another district is provided with a much-needed sports ground—and in the course of a few weeks other districts will be similarly blessed. Gradually one of the greatest handicaps to British sporting youth is being overcome, and the effect of proper training facilities should nob take long to manifest itself. STIMULUS TO SPORT. The “King George’s Fields” may provide that extra stimulus to British sport which some sports levers have been praying for during the past few years in answer to the increasing efficiency of foreign competitors. At the same time the London County Council Parks Committee approved a scheme to provide five new Lidos at a cost of £150,000. In its' report the committee stated “We are convinced from opinions expressed in the Press and elsewhere that there is widespread demand for Lidos, which may be defined as open-air swimming baths with the added amenities of sunbathing areas, cafes, and other facilities which will make them attractive places of healthy public resort. “ All the Lidos will have common features, fine proportions, cheerful colours, convenient dressing accommodation. The most modern purifying plant will 'be install id so that the water will be filtered and aerated every five hours. Flower beds near the water and a vista of trees in the background will make a lovely setting for happy summer days ” This, in the centre of London, city of eight million people! EMPIRE GAMES, Despite the progress that is being made by new playing fields, swimming baths, and all-round enthusiasm,_ many well-informed critics are still dissatisfied. It is pointed out that, so far, extremely little has been done to prepare competitors for the Empire Games in Australia next year. Of course, it is stated frankly that Britain should win the Games, but this foregone conclusion should not prevent the governing bodies in England from trying out a sound organising scheme with a view to recapturing some of the Olympic laurel® in Tokio in 1940. Inspired by Australia’s offer to pay a proportion of the fares of the visitors, collections have begun in England to make up the balance. But until each association knows how much it is to be allotted its invitations are being withheld, with the result that valuable months are being wasted*