(The second edition of 'Tatsfield the first 2000 Years' is now on sale at Sheree's Tearoom and Shop - for overseas orders, email us at tatsfield.history@talk21.com)

The KE VII Memorial Ground was established as a memorial to the King who died in 1910.  It forms the northern, wooded, part of Tatsfield Green, bordering on the Wood House (formerly Castleneau).

The original title deed shows Ricketts Hill Road as 'ROAD TO TATSFIELD' and the existing path leading from Ricketts Hill Road to Old Lane.

It was named after permission was granted by King George V.

Doris Geary, in her 1987 book, ‘Tales of Tatsfield’, includes an account passed on to her of the dedication of the Garden before the First World War:

“The dedication took place on a Wednesday morning. The children were taken to the grounds across Tatsfield Green, and on to the grounds through the large, folding, wooden gates. The grounds were, at that time, fenced in with oak posts. There was a terrace, and a flat platform made of concrete, large enough for the village band -Tatsfield had a brass band then, but unfortunately the players were all at work at the time.

There was also a dwelling which resembled a summer house, and around the grounds were laurel bushes, flowering currant, laburnum trees, and mock orange trees. There was a formal garden with flowers, and on the patio were pillars of brick. There were two water tanks filled with water.”

Frederick Kellaway, whose grave in St Mary’s churchyard in Tatsfield describes him ‘a founder of broadcasting in this country’ from the time that he was Post Master General owned the land.  Another account passed on by Doris Geary recalls that he took a great interest in Tatsfield, although he lived in a lodge at Westerham Heights:

“Two workmen were employed to work on the Memorial grounds. The site was levelled, and a big pit, which was on the site, filled in. Two big water tanks to hold water from a large shed, were put in. The ground was then terraced and a brick wall built around it, about three or four feet high. There was also fencing - a slatted fence with oak posts, and in the centre was a path with stone steps leading to a platform. There was a double gate at the Ricketts Hill end, and another double gate in Old Lane. There was a thatched pigeon loft. £100.0.0d. was left in trust with the council towards future developments. It was a very pretty site, with a play area for children, and was well-used at the time. Later, however, it fell into neglect."