Moments in Time

Moments in Time. The Social History of the Rec. , 1860 , In the years following the opening of the Recreation Ground in 1860, cricket and football were the main sports played, though by the late nineteenth century crowds were also gathering to watch goal running (a game based on 'tag' but with more complex rules) and rugby., 1863 , The Rec has periodically been used for special events, including a ceremony to mark the marriage of the Prince of Wales and Princess Alexandra of Denmark in March 1863. On this occasion, upwards of 5,000 spectators witnessed artillery volunteers performing a feu de joies (rifles fired in rapid succession, making a loud rat-tat-tat sound), followed by a train running over and detonating 21 fog signals placed on the nearby tracks to imitate a 21-gun salute., 1914 , During the First World War the Rec was used for an encampment of the West Larks Royal Field Artillery in 1914, a recruitment meeting in 1915, and peace celebrations in July 1919 that featured the mayor reading the King's message to his people, and a choir of 1,500 children singing the national anthem and patriotic songs. In the Second World War, air raid shelters were built by Park Road and Whitstable Road and surprisingly, at the height of the conflict in 1943, the Civil Defence Service helped organise a sports day and Holiday at Home., 1950 , Perhaps the most impressive events were Whit Monday gala days in the 1950s. These involved sport and entertainment, though feasting was the main attraction: In 1954, catering staff attached to the United States Air Force at Manston Airfield cooked 14 pigs and 300 chickens over a pit of charcoal and the gala attracted a crowd estimated at 30,000. The following year the Americans returned and, unbelievably, created an even larger barbecue., 2012 , The way that the Rec is used continues to evolve. In 2012, the Rec played an integral part in the London 2012 Torch Relay hosting a day of sports 'taster' sessions as well as a key viewing point to watch the cavalcade of support vehicles ahead of the Torch Bearer. Cricket has moved to other venues, and goal running is a distant memory, but football, rugby, tennis and bowling remain popular and a junior parkrun has become a regular feature and many now combine a walk with exercise at the recently installed outdoor gym. New projects to promote biodiversity and rewilding are also well supported and community involvement has been assured through volunteering activities and the setting up of a Friends of the Rec.