QE2 ‘Fields in Trust’ plaque

The Fairfield Association was formed by residents and friends of the Fairfield area of Lancaster (England) in October 1996, in response to the threat of housing development on a long-established children’s play area (Fairfield Green). The Fairfield Association saved the play area, improved it and installed new play equipment (2004). In 2012 Fairfield Green was given QE II status which ensures its status as a recreational area in perpetuity.

Other projects have followed. In 2000, the Millennium Green and Community Orchard was created and in 2012/13 the Fairfield Association established nature reserves on farmland nearby (first Fauna and then Flora). All our projects have been initiated by the community, and we are committed to full public consultation throughout the period that plans are being developed. The Fairfield Association Flora and Fauna Nature Reserve is soon to be formally designated as a Local Nature Reserve which will give the area extra protection and ensure it appears on the Local Plan and O.S. maps.

Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service

In 2017 we were thrilled to be awarded The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2017. This award was created by The Queen in 2002 to mark the occasion of her Golden Jubilee, recognising excellence in voluntary activities carried out by groups in the community. The award is for all of us as volunteers and recognises our achievements as a grassroots community in creating more than 50 acres of green space for people to enjoy. It was a great honour and a wonderful way to mark 21 years as a volunteering community.

The photo shows Fairfield volunteers, Ian and Suzanne, who represented the Association at Buckingham Palace Garden Party to mark the occasion (click photo to see larger version).

If you are interested in reading more about the history of the Fairfield Association, an article tracing its development was published in the local history journal Contrebis (Volume 35 pp. 70-78) in 2017.