Duke of Edinburgh Playing Fields Association, October 14, 1952

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh actively served as President of the National Playing Fields Association for 64 years, recognising the power of parks and green spaces for physical health and mental wellbeing. The Duke took on the role in October 1948, his first national charity commitment. Here he visits the Buckinghamshire market town of Aylesbury to inspect plans for new playing fields near newly developed housing estates. A pan of the new site shows it size. The film shows him meeting dignitaries, and large crowds welcoming him in the town centre. WS & CUs of children waving flags, mostly union jacks, and cheering, leaving school and at the roadside. His 1952-style motorcade took him to Market Square for lunch in The Olde Bull’s Head inn and public house. More crowds gathered outside, and a band played.