ABSTRACT
This chapter examines central and local authority provision and regulation of recreation. It attempts to show that public provision expanded during the inter-war years and so contributed to the general increase in recreational opportunities, though there were still some shortages of public amenities and some areas of the country which lagged behind. Central and local authorities aimed to provide improved, reformed recreations to wean the working class away from the alleged degenerations of their own culture, though they were not always successful in doing this. The authorities themselves provided holiday camps, especially for young people attending continuation classes, centres and equipment for physical training, and playing fields. As with legislation and municipal provision for recreation and culture, State control of broadcasting helped to shape the development of leisure. State provision and regulation took many forms, but in general terms the main trend was for the extension of the State’s sphere of influence.
