Possible Name Change for Drill Field, Walmer
Published: 16 December 2021
Walmer Town Council is considering applying for permission to change the name of the Drill Field which it owns in Canada Rd. as a tribute to the late Prince because the surviving Drill Field combines two of the great loves of his public life - The Corps of the Royal Marines and the National Playing Fields Association.
During the recent making of a film about the Royal Marines Trail and the history of the Royal Marines in Deal it was revealed that when the MOD decided to close the barracks here and sell them off HRH Prince Philip, who was at that time (and for some 64 years in total) the Commandant General of the Royal Marines, became concerned about the effect on the population of Walmer, many of whose lives were intertwined with the Corps.
He paid a private visit to the barracks where he was briefed by a Royal Marines colonel after which it appears that he used his influence to encourage the MOD to sell the Drill Field in Canada Rd. to the then Walmer parish Council in order to save it for the community.
The Prince was also for many years President of the Playing Fields Association - an independent charity which protects green spaces - now called Fields in Trust.
The Council has received encouragement from Buckingham Palace for this proposal and the next step if the project is progressed is to apply to the Lord Chancellor's Department for formal permission.
A number of different names are being considered all of which have in common the inclusion of the name of Prince Philip. For example, The Prince Philip Playing Fields. The Prince Philip Community Playing Fields The Prince Philip Drill Field The Prince Philip Sports Field.
Other suggestions will be gratefully received and if you have a suggestion for a name that that you would like us to consider then you can E-mail on deputyclerk@walmercouncil.co.uk or in writing to Walmer Town Council, 62 The strand, Walmer, Kent, CT14 9 DP
