East Malling Playing Field was transferred to the Parish Council in January 1950 by the Wigan Family (who used to live at Clare House) for the sum of £1,000.

It was managed by a voluntary committee until 1991 when the Parish Council was made sole custodian Trustee by a Scheme made by the Charity Commission.

The idea of a playing field had first been discussed at a Public Meeting in 1944 followed by many meetings, fund raising and negotiations before the purchase contract was signed in 1949.

In that year a Tennis Club was formed, and the cricket club laid a concrete practice pitch.

In 1950 the former ragstone wall along New Road was demolished as being too costly to repair and the ragstone sold for £50. The Memorial Gates were also erected as an entrance to New Road to be later re-located when East Malling Village Hall was built.

A playground with equipment was established close to “The Institute” hall.

By 1953 the Malling RDC had built the Clare Park housing estate and a pedestrian entrance allowed “so children need not go into the dangerous New Road”.

The Village Hall was built in the north-east corner of the field in the late 1960’s and is now a separate charity also managed by the Parish Council.

In more recent years the play area was re-located to its present site close to the village hall and a Ball Park provided.