New landmark on Wood Lane as Latymer opens new playing fields

Latymer Upper School has opened its newly refurbished playing fields at Wood Lane on Saturday 9th October. It was declared officially open at a  special ceremony, to be attended by various local dignitaries and figures
from the world of sport.

The 10-acre site, which has been redeveloped by the school at a cost of £4.3million, was originally acquired by Latymer in 1905. It has been used as a sports ground ever since – apart from a brief spell during the First
World War when one of the school’s long-serving teachers, Mr Eley, arranged for Latymer boys to dig up a large section of the plot and grow vegetables as part of the war effort.

Over the years, the school has received many lucrative offers for the site from commercial developers, as its location – on the corner of Wood lane and Du Cane Road – is very convenient for major transport links such as the M40 and the Underground. Latymer Upper School is located on King Street, Hammersmith, so pupils are transported to and from the playing fields by
coach.

There are plans for the new facility to be made available to the wider community. It is in this spirit that the ceremony was attended by the leader of the Borough’s Education Committee, Cllr David Williams, as well as the Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham, Cllr Charlie Treloggan. The acting Head of Burlington Danes School, which is adjacent to the playing fields, also attend.

One of the most exciting initiatives that will take place at the site is the Latymer Girls’ Football Academy, which will be organised in partnership with a variety of local schools. Lucy Asher, Head of Girls’ Games at Latymer, says: “This is a great opportunity for girls in the area who love football. The academy will provide high-quality coaching to girls from Years 5 to 8 – we want to hear from interested girls in the area.” [Courses will run every Saturday, from 12:00-14:00, starting in October, cost: £25. Enquiries to Lucy Asher at lpa@latymer-upper.org or 020 8600 5436]

Simon Hughes – Channel 4’s cricketing ‘analyst’, sports columnist for the Daily Telegraph and an Old Latymerian – was present at the ceremony. Harriet Slynn, who has played for England in the national Women’s Under-20 Rugby Team and who first represented her country whilst still studying at Latymer, was also be there.

October 10, 2004