Have you ever noticed the unicorn in Downend?
Take a look at the carving on the right-hand side of the entrance to the playing fields on Westerleigh Road.
The unicorn plaque there is actually a sign that this is one of 471 King George’s Fields in the UK.
When King George V died on January 30, 1936, a committee was formed to design a national memorial to the king.
As well as putting up a statue in London, the committee decided to celebrate the king’s passion for accessible green spaces by setting up a new scheme across the whole country.
This was the King George’s Fields Foundation, whose remit was to preserve open spaces for public recreation. This was at a time of urbanisation and mass house building, when there was concern about increased building, loss of countryside and the need to protect certain areas so that people would have room to exercise, play games and sports, and enjoy a walk in the fresh air.
As every King George’s field forms part of a national memorial to King George V, the foundation stipulated that they must all be marked by official emblems which it would provide.
These are two heraldic panels, designed by George Kruger Gray (who studied locally at Bath School of Art), which have to be displayed at the main entrance to every King George’s field.
The panel on the left depicts a lion holding a royal shield, with the words “George V” and “A.D. 1910–1936” underneath.
On the right is the unicorn, holding a similar shield with the words ‘King George’s Field’ underneath.
The King George’s Fields Foundation is now part of Fields in Trust, which champions and supports our parks and green spaces by protecting them for people to enjoy forever. For more details visit tinyurl.com/4n6rnpyb.
So next time you’re spending time in the playing field, remember that it’s there in memory of the king who reigned from 1910 to 1936, and who loved the outdoors!
Downend Community History and Art Project (CHAP) is a volunteer-run, not-for-profit group aiming to produce a community history resource, build a sense of belonging and bring history to life through arts, publications, music and events for the local community.
For more information visit www.downendchap.org, email big.gin@talktalk.net or write to CHAP, 49 Overnhill Road, Downend, Bristol, BS16 5DS.
Helen Rana