Biddulph's Centenary Field the first in Staffordshire

Biddulph is leading the way in Staffordshire as the first place in the county to dedicate outdoor recreational space for permanent protection in memory of those who lost their lives during World War 1.

The honour goes to Biddulph's bowling green which was nominated by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Biddulph Bowling and Recreational Club and is now safeguarded as a Centenary Field through Fields in Trust.

This national programme is a unique way to commemorate the centenary of World War 1. It gives landowners the opportunity to dedicate space to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives during the conflict but also to ensure that future generations have valuable green space to enjoy as a living legacy.

Fields in Trust President, the Duke of Cambridge, commented: "The Centenary Fields project aims to save in perpetuity scores of memorial spaces around the country. Each moment of play or leisure that takes place on a Memorial Field is, in a way, an act of remembrance. I am delighted that Fields in Trust have identified these Centenary Fields as a vital part of our national heritage and well-being which we cannot take for granted."

To mark its new status, the Bowling and Recreational Club organised a day of events attended by local dignitaries and children from Woodhouse Academy who have been enjoying bowling lessons following a renovation project to deliver a new bowling green and pavilion at the site.

Councillor Sybil Ralphs, Leader of the District Council and portfolio holder for regeneration, attended the event. She said: "The Fields in Trust project is a wonderful way to provide a lasting memorial to the heroes of the First World War in a way that benefits today's society.

"The Council has invested in providing these new facilities in Biddulph and becoming a Centenary Field is really the icing on the cake. I was delighted to join members of the Club and the local community in marking this prestigious status for this site - the first in Staffordshire to achieve it."

Fields in Trust Chief Executive, Helen Griffiths, added: "I congratulate Biddulph for being the first of what we hope will be many others in Staffordshire to protect memorial spaces as Centenary Fields. This programme is a fitting way for us to mark the sacrifices made by so many in World War 1 whilst looking to the future through a living remembrance. We look forward to many more landowners following their lead."

Danny Sutton, Secretary of the Bowling and Recreational Club, said: "We are delighted to have this opportunity from Fields in Trust and The Royal British Legion to mark the centenary of World War 1 in this unique way. Protecting Biddulph bowling green means that there is always somewhere to remember the sacrifices of World War 1 but also to enjoy the fresh air and the surroundings."