Chigwell’s proximity to the capital may make you think that green space is at a premium, but with a bit of forethought more than 100 years ago, there is plenty of space for a growing community of sport.
![Back To Grass Roots](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10252/238473/59b0cde65e76c/Back-To-Grass-Roots.jpg)
CHIGWELL is located in the Epping Forest District and is very much part of suburban London, accessible to and from the capital via the London Underground’s Central Line. Its proximity to the city has been of benefit to residents in many ways, but in particular, a legacy established before the war to create a substantial space for recreation has more than fulfilled its remit over the years and continues to do so today.
Chigwell and its community has much to thank the City Parochial Foundation for. The foundation was founded in 1891 with a key aim to provide and maintain green spaces for the health and welfare of city residents. The foundation’s former clerk, Donald Allen, earmarked 50 acres of land in Chigwell Row for use as a Girl Guide campsite. Allen was a great advocate of, ‘fresh air, sport and exercise for young people’ and, in 1938, inspired the purchase of Grange Farm and its 106 acres. Although World War II interrupted plans for the site’s development, it would eventually go on to accommodate 2,000 foreign students for the Festival of Britain in 1951 and then be a popular recreational facility for holiday makers — largely from nearby London.
However, as with many once-popular British resorts and holiday destinations, cheap continental package holidays became more available in the 1970s and rang the death knell for the site, which closed in 1983.
Today, The Grange Farm Centre Trust oversees the site and continues to support leisure and recreational projects, as well as groups within the community in line with its stated aim – ‘The provision for recreational and leisure time occupation for the inhabitants of Epping Forest and the London Metropolitan Police Area’.
Denne historien er fra September 2017-utgaven av Essex Life.
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Denne historien er fra September 2017-utgaven av Essex Life.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
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The rise of maskne
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The forgotten lady
Charlotte Christie shares the life story of Anne Knight, an Essex pioneer for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage who’s achievements have almost been air-brushed from history
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Stride out in the Sampfords
This charming, circular winter walk takes you on a tour from the village of Great Sampford to its neighbour, Little Sampford, and back again
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MUCH TO TALK ABOUT
As a presenter on Sky Music and the host of two TV talk shows of her own on Gidea Park-based Sky channel Spotlight TV, Hayley Palmer is never short of words. Nicky Adams asks her how she came to be in front of the camera
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LIFE and SOUL
Radio 1 broadcaster and producer Charlie Hedges began her career as Britain’s youngest breakfast show host and is now one of the world’s most successful female DJs. Denise Marshall caught up with the Essex-based queen of the air waves
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Lest we forget
Remembrance Sunday will have a special poignance this month as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Stephen Roberts profiles how much the county of Essex contributed to the war effort and how much it cost
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Lakeside Magic
The Lake House, nestled in Mill End on the outskirts of the village of Bradwell on Sea, has been owned by the same family for 60 years and was once a thriving four-buoy water-ski lake.
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Keep on running
BBC presenter and director David Whiteley shares his insightful view on stories from across the county of Essex
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Cheers!
Starting to get that festive vibe? Why not plan ahead by selecting not only the drinks you want to serve this Christmas, but also ticking off a few presents too?
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A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden
Join Ernie, the county’s most famous Westie, as he steps back in time on a trip to this medieval market town