b'Bishop Wilton Playing Fields AssociationGeoff Scott, former Trustee & Hon. SecretaryB y a Trust Deed, dated 12th March 1929, LordA typical winter season, such as 1960/61, would Irwin transferred to Bishop Wilton the land behindinclude fund-raising events such as:Fishersusually known as the Old Show Field. The A dance at the Oak House in PocklingtonTrustees were to manage the field as a recreation Three Whist Drives at Stamford Bridge, two ground. with a dance followingThe Trustees were able to grant the exclusive useof the field to any body or persons for short periods Two Whist Drives at Bishop Wilton, one with a up to 10 days per annumfor example for use by theChristmas DrawShow Committee for 7 days from 30th July 1930, atIt was the practice in those days to engage a small a cost of 3. Meanwhile the Trustees let the land fordance band for such eventsdiscos were not usual!grazing, whilst the position of cricket pitches etc wereIn October 1960 the Treasurer reported that all considered. expenses had been met, with 130 in hand. At the At a meeting of the Trustees on 23rd March 1931April 1961 AGM the writer was appointed the Hon the school children were allowed to erect their ownSecretary, and it was agreed to move on to provide goal posts in the field. In 1951 the Trustees sold aa Pavilion and a childrens corner. During 1961 strip of the field to Mr S Bailey, for the sum of 50,the tennis courts were enclosed by the contractor providing the concrete cricket pitch was replaced onEn-tout-cas. In May 1962 the Hon Secretary the remaining field. This 2.5 acre field was too smallwas instructed to prepare working drawings with for village requirements and in 1955 a deputationspecifications, and to obtain fixed-price tenders for visited Lord Halifax, who kindly consented to give aa Pavilion. All this providing grant aid and planning much larger piece of land (6.5 acres) in Worsendale,permission could be obtained. Planning permission on the understanding that the former playing fieldwas to hand, from Pocklington Rural District Council, reverted to the Garrowby Estate as soon as the newin May 1963. A tender for building the new Pavilion Playing Field was available for use. was accepted in December 1964; the work was This reversion to Garrowby Estate was confirmedfinanced by a grant from the Ministry of Education and in a letter dated 13th January 1961. The newa loan from the National Playing Fields Association. Playing Field site was conveyed to the Trustees onThe Pavilion was in use by 1966 but the official 17th January 1955 in consideration of a paymentopening was not held until August 1968, which of 440, and the Trustees accepted a gift of 440included the unveiling of a memorial plaque dedicated from Lord Halifax to enable them to pay that amount.to the late Lord Halifax.The Trustees then resolved to form a DevelopmentA childrens corner with swings and a roundabout Committee, by invitation in the first place, then byhad been provided by the Association, but in another a membership scheme. This enabled all interestedcapacity the writer was able to agree that the Parish clubs and people to be involved in the managementCouncil should take over this responsibility. This gave of the Field. This is the basis on which the Associationaccess to public funding to renew the swings and is managed - see the 1980 constitution - but theprovide other equipment. This arrangement remains in ultimate control remains with the Trustees.place.The levelling and draining of the Field was carriedIn 1976/77 the Pavilion was extended to include a out by our contractor, Messrs E S Whalley & Co, andmachinery store, which has proved invaluable. A new was accepted as complete on 25th May 1960. Theirconstitution for the Association, in 1980, transferred tender price was 1,170.2.0. the responsibility for fund-raising to the clubs.Grants of 540 from the Ministry of Education, andIt will be seen that a lot of enthusiastic people have 200 from the East Riding Playing Fields Associationput a great deal of effort into the development of our left some 900 to be raised by the village, this tovery fine Playing Field. Many are no longer with us, so include machinery to cut and maintain the Field. it is for the present and future members to ensure that it remains a first-class asset for our village.It has been said that:Owen Robinson had an old map of Bishop Wiltonthe avenue of trees leading up to it and a bridge over that showed the layout of the Archbishops Palace,the moat.154 BULLETIN 10'