When Allhallows School moved from Honiton to Rousdon the rumours were that the Honiton town council had purchased the playing field for the town. This was not the case, and so  the town council held a public meeting in the Dolphin Hotel in April 1938 to decide whether the Allhallows playing fields should be acquired for the townspeople. The site included the six and three quarter acre school playing field, the Old Clubhouse, swimming bath and the cottage and garden formerly used by the school’s sergeant major. It was agreed  that a playing field was definitely needed for people of all ages, and it would be of great benefit to the town.

It was decided to apply to the  Ministry of Health for sanction to borrow £3,500 for the purchase. Juanita Phillips led the way and  promised £250 towards the cost. It was thought that the cottage could bring in a rental of £20 a year and the swimming bath would make £40 a year. The groundsman’s weekly wage would be £2.10 shillings and the cost of laying out the field would be around £700. Maintenance was estimated at the  cost about £300 a year.

The Honiton Thursday Association Football Club, the Free Church Tennis Club, and Honiton Rugby F.C. promised support towards the scheme. The Mayor said she was prepared to form a women's hockey club while Mr. Dare offered to form a committee to start a cricket club. The council’s Playing Fields Committee was formed.

In February 1939, the National Playing Fields Association granted Honiton Town Council £2,250 towards the expenses of the purchase, lay-out, and equipment of Allhallows playing fields. The grant paid for a mowing machine and a  shed to keep it in, large and small rollers and a cricket net – all purchased locally. Gordon Snell, part time postman/thatcher of Farway, was hired to rethatch the pavilion for the price of  £31. 5 shillings.

Mr. L. K. Elrmhirst, President of the National Fitness Council for Devon and Cornwall, cut the tape and officially opened the playing field to the public in June 1939. Then the grievances  started. People complained about games being played on Sundays (which was permitted) and that an unauthorised person had trespassed and caused damage on the tennis court.

For decades Allhallows playing field was extremely popular and well maintained. Today it has become a dangerous health hazard for sports players. Sadly, it is a six-acre dog toilet, and finding gas canisters, litter and broken glass has become the norm. This would never have happened in Jack Keyte or Dan Down’s day.