Kokova Magazine

2012 is an exciting year if you're a fan of sport, community celebrations, heritage or just an extra bank holiday or two.

For national charity Fields in Trust, it's an even more momentous year.

In 2012 they are running the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge, a project aiming to protect 2,012 outdoor recreational spaces by the end of 2012.

Parks, playing fields, meadows and other green spaces that are part of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge will be protected forever for future generations to enjoy, as a living legacy from the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge is spearheaded by its patron The Duke of Cambridge with his personal tribute to The Queen to mark Her Diamond Jubilee:

I sincerely hope that these Fields will become a living reminder to all of The Queen’s steadfast duty, dedication and love for this country.

Pitching in to protect your parks

Over 1100 playgrounds, sports pitches, bicycle trails, flower meadows, country parks and gardens have been nominated so far.

Why not see if your favourite park or sports ground is protected?

Enter your postcode into www.qe2fields.com and see if it comes up.

If it hasn't been, why not ask the local council to get involved by writing to them or just filling in the form on the website

Both quick and easy. Spread the word!

You can find the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge on both facebook and twitter.

Green spaces add to our quality of life and research shows they improve our self-esteem and mood and that people living closer to green space have lower levels of heart disease.

So take this opportunity to make sure that your favourite green spaces will be there to be enjoyed by your children and grandchildren too.

Having a Field Day

Loads of neighbourhoods across the UK are 'Having a Field Day' this summer, celebrating the Diamond Jubilee, Olympics and of course that their space has been protected forever.

Have a Field Days take place on local QEII Fields, which have been preserved through the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge.

People are planning everything from speed knitting to dog shows, mini beast hunts to Morris dancing.

Find one near you by putting your postcode into www.qe2fields.com/fieldday

And why not help organise one?

It's a great way to build community spirit and organisers get a box crammed full of bunting, flags, medals and more.

This year will be extra-special because we shall be combining our Fun Day with 'Have a Field Day' and will once again bring the local community together, having fun to commemorate the Queens Jubilee, and also to celebrate the village’s lasting legacy in the shape of the QEII Field

Have a Field Day organiser, Warwickshire

2012 is an exciting year with lots of events planned to mark the occasion but as the dust settles from the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics; as the last Jubilee beacon flickers out and the party hats are put away, the Queen Elizabeth II Fields will remain as a lasting legacy for the enjoyment of the people of the UK.