This was the site of the playing field, which was to the rear of Detling Primary School, originally donated by Robert Rugg of East Court to the Church in 1856. The playing field was added in 1971, having been purchased from Edward Haynes Tarrant Hubbard of The Manor House, Detling on 8th August 1933. The field was used up to 1968 for hay making by Mr Brown, the local farmer.

The side access road was transferred to KCC by the Parish Council in November 1969 and the rear junior block together with the new playing field was added by KCC and the school extension was opened in 1971.

Due to falling pupil numbers the school closed in August 2007.

Detling Parish Council campaigned for over 25 years for an open space in the village and in March 2008 successfully changed this area designation to “Public Open Space”.

Kent County Council kindly donated this field to the Parish Council in January 2009.

Using grants we were able to fence the field and put in a path and gate. We have purchased some goal posts and now hope to add some seating to be made for us by the Blackthorne Trust and kindly donated in memory of local residents.

If anyone has ideas as to the future use of the field, such as other sport uses or to hold a village fete then please contact the Parish Council and we will see if we can support such initiatives.

This year saw the official opening of the Old School Playing Field by Cllr Paul Carter, Leader of the KCC. The parish raised money from our local councillors; Jenny Whittle and John Horne to put in a wide kissing gate and path and a litter bin. We were pleased to be able to provide three wooden benches each kindly donated by people with a connection to Detling and made by the Blackthorn Trust, these benches are dedicated to:

In memory of Maggie Barker 17th January 1957 – 4th February 2008

In memory of Alice May Conn. and all her Detling friends 1921 -2006

Gone are the days we used to share, but in my heart you are always there.

Remembering Jack & Joyce Presniell

The parish has a contract for regular grass cutting and each year is planting bulbs along the verge and in the field to further enhance the area.

The information board outside the entrance to the playing field reads:

DETLING PARISH COUNCIL

Old School Playing Field

This was the site of the playing field, which was to the rear of Detling Primary School, originally donated by Robert Rugg of East Court to the Church in 1856. The playing field was part of a field purchased by KCC from Edward Haynes Tarrant Hubbard of The Manor House, Detling on 8th August 1933 and used for hay making up to 1968. The side access road was transferred to KCC by the Parish Council in November 1969 and the rear Junior block together with playing field were added by KCC and opened in 1971.

Due to falling pupil numbers the school closed in August 2007. 

Detling Parish Council campaigned for over 25 years for an open space in the village and in March 2008 successfully changed this area designation to “Public Open Space”Kent County Council kindly donated this field to the Parish Council in January 2009. Opened by Paul Carter, Leader of Kent County Council on 12th September 2009

PLEASE, NO DOGS OR GOLF