Mr Roberts (BFP letters, Oct. 3) provides an interesting perspective of the evolution of Hazlemere bowling green and the involvement of local worthies (including the eponymous Ken Williams) in the funding process. Logically, he should surely be recommending that the name of the bowling green be amended to “The Ken Williams memorial bowling green”, which the parish council could then consider.

However, the “pavilion” was originally due to be called a “memorial hall” (see article by Cllr David Cox in Parish Magazine, Spring 2009). It was only later changed to “pavilion” when the Hazlemere Sports Association (‘HSA’) took over day to day project management and effectively privatised the venture. But that is another story.

Let us go back to spring 1919. Bands playing, bunting flying, the boys’ brigade marching, widows weeping. A packed meeting was held at which the first item on the agenda was the building of a village hall, which was passed unanimously. The vicar, Rev F.F. Field, donated £500, a considerable sum for the time, and equivalent to perhaps £25,000 today. The hall was never built, the funding cannot now be traced. But we do have a new (not spanking but new) building, and the design damage done by HSA can and will be put right to enable a proper civic facility for the benefit of the community of Hazlemere.

All 40 names of the fallen from Hazlemere, which I read out at a moving remembrance ceremony a few months ago, will be honoured on a plaque inside, together with their fellows from later generations. And there will be a plaque for Ken Williams, Les Taylor, Vic Gee and other stalwarts who helped build the vibrant community of Hazlemere, totalling almost 10,000 souls today.

“Hazlemere Memorial Hall” fits the bill nicely. – Brian Mapletoft, Chairman, Hazlemere Parish Council