Origin and History of
the Laleham Recreation Ground

Much of the land in and around the village of Laleham became a holding of the Lucan family after the purchase of the Manor of Laleham by the 2nd Earl in 1803. The Lucan family were considerable benefactors to the village and, by a Deed of Gift dated 10 March 1923, land was given to the civil Parish Council for the purpose of a Recreation Ground for the use and enjoyment and benefit of the inhabitants of the Parish of Laleham’.

The origin of the gift was a petition for the provision of a recreation ground, signed by 174 residents and submitted to the Parish Council in 1919. Lord Lucan subsequently made the land available, and it first came into use as a recreation ground in 1920. From its founding, Laleham Recreation Ground has been a charity, administered by Trustees and managed by an elected Committee.

The current pavilion was completed in 2000, with funding of £187000 from Sport England and a combined similar amount raised by the Trustees through grants, loans and other sources.
 

The earliest recorded sporting event at the Recreation Ground is an annual cricket match between Laleham Cricket Club and Thames Vallet Wanderers played on Whit Mondays from 1922.
 

Other regular sports users have included cricket, tennis, football and hockey clubs. Community users have included Sea Scouts, Laleham Young Farmers, 1st Laleham Scouts and local schools.
 

The Recreation Ground currently hosts youth and senior football matches and coaching evenings. It is the venue of regular Village Fairs and occasional events which have included beer festivals and open-air cinema.