Inventory Site Record

The Richardson Evans Memorial Playing Fields is a substantial grassed sports facility that has been owned and managed by the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators since 1925. In the north east corner is a circular hedged area at the centre of which is the War Memorial, an austere stone cross on a circular platform reached by short flights of steps. Around the cross the grass is mown, with a number of mown paths radiating to entrance points created by gaps in the perimeter hedge. The paths are flanked by avenues of trees; aside from the mown paths the grass is allowed to grow long and semi-natural. To the north-east are woodlands part of Putney Heath.

Site location:

Stag Lane, off Roehampton Vale

Postcode:

SW15

What 3 Words:

save.define.maple

Type of site:

Public Open Land

Borough:

Wandsworth

Open to public?

Yes

Opening times:

unrestricted to War Memorial Gardens

Special conditions:

Facilities:

Events:

Public transport:

Tube: Putney Bridge (District) then bus. Rail: Barnes then bus; Kingston then bus; Putney then bus. Bus: 265, 85.

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Research updated:

01/05/2005

Last minor changes:

14/07/2022

Please check with the site owner or manager for latest news. www.wpcc.org.uk

The inscription on the base of the cross provides the war memorial history: 'The land around - 42 acres - is dedicated to public use in memory of all those who having been resident or belonging to families resident in the adjoining districts gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918', on another face is inscribed: 'Nature provides the best monument. The perfecting of the work must be left to the gentle hand of time but each returning spring will bring a fresh tribute to those whom it is desired to keep in everlasting remembrance.' If there were once names around the cross, they no longer exist. The landscaping of the Memorial Garden was designed by Madeline Agar, with Brenda Colvin Clerk of Works.

Sources consulted:

On-site information

Grid ref:

TQ219721 (521950,172156)

Size in hectares:

17

Site ownership:

Wimbledon & Putney Commons Conservators

Site management:

Wimbledon & Putney Commons Conservators

Date(s):

c.1925

Designer(s):

Memorial Garden: Madeline Agar/Brenda Colvin

Listed structures:

None

On National Heritage List for England (NHLE), Parks & Gardens:

No

Registered common or village green on Commons Registration Act 1965:

No

Protected under London Squares Preservation Act 1931:

No

Local Authority Data

The information below is taken from the relevant Local Authority's planning legislation, which was correct at the time of research but may have been amended in the interim. Please check with the Local Authority for latest planning information.

On Local List:

No

In Conservation Area:

No

Tree Preservation Order:

No

Nature Conservation Area:

No

Green Belt:

No

Metropolitan Open Land:

Yes

Special Policy Area:

No

Other LA designation:

None