Recreation Ground & Hitchcock Pavilion
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Located opposite St Giles Church is the Recreation Ground and Hitchcock Pavilion. It is owned by The Arthur Hitchcock Charity and is managed and maintained by their board of eight trustees. Chairman: Michael Collier
The Objective of the charity is: ‘The provision and maintenance of a recreation ground for the use of the inhabitants of the parish of Kilmington without distinction of political, religious or other opinions, including the provision, or assistance towards the provision, on the recreation ground or any part thereof of facilities for recreation and other leisure time occupation, with the objects of improving the condition of life for the said inhabitants. The land and building shall be held upon trust for the object of the charity.’ Traditional village cricket is still played in the summer months. There is also an all-weather tennis court and a children’s playground which was provided by the Parish Council to celebrate the millennium. Kilmington is very fortunate to have this wonderful facility. |
In 2006 a new pavilion was constructed which incorporates all modern day requirements, a club room which is available for hire, a kitchen, changing facilities for sport and a garage to house equipment for maintaining the field and its surrounds. A feature of the playing fields is the very fine Monterey Pine, which is jealously guarded by the community and is close to being 100 years old.
Available to Hire
The cost of hiring the Pavilion is £8.00 for the first hour and £5.00 for subsequent hours. Special daily rates are available.
For bookings and special rates please email p.huscroft016@btinternet.com or phone 01297 32243. 
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How did Kilmington obtain such fine facilities?
The Kilmington Playing Fields are a registered charity, so preserved for the future, as the result of a benefactor in the early part of the 20th Century. Records show that cricket was played in the village well prior to 1900 but during the 1900/1910 period an Arthur Hitchcock arrived in Kilmington to build himself a fine house which still stands today. He was a very philanthropic Victorian gentleman of some wealth and, together with his wife, was very involved with the local community.
They were involved in many organisations including gardening and nursing however it would appear his particular interest was in cricket and bowls. Through the early part of the 20th Century he promoted the cricket team, developed the bowls club and, prior to 1910, constructed a wooden cricket pavilion. Despite much character the pavilion was rebuilt in 2006 as it had become outdated. Arthur Hitchcock was also involved in the construction of the Church rooms which were once opposite the village hall. There seems little doubt that he planted the Monterey Pine and it is hoped that this tree can be maintained for many years as a fantastic memorial to our benefactor.
They were involved in many organisations including gardening and nursing however it would appear his particular interest was in cricket and bowls. Through the early part of the 20th Century he promoted the cricket team, developed the bowls club and, prior to 1910, constructed a wooden cricket pavilion. Despite much character the pavilion was rebuilt in 2006 as it had become outdated. Arthur Hitchcock was also involved in the construction of the Church rooms which were once opposite the village hall. There seems little doubt that he planted the Monterey Pine and it is hoped that this tree can be maintained for many years as a fantastic memorial to our benefactor.
