A Condensed History of the Bloxham Bowls Club - 1957 to 1963

3rd July, 1957
An open meeting was held in the Ellen Hinde Hall, Bloxham to form a village Bowls Club. Approximately 30 people were present. The main topics discussed were size and site of the green, cost of membership and work required. Mr. E. Hunt had generously offered the site for the green.

The following officers were then elected:

President E.Hunt Vice President A.Coles  
Chairman G.Pegler Secretary & Treasurer L.Allen  
         
Committee H.Baughan S.Bennett P.Castell W.Clarke
  P.E.Hemmings W.G.Marshall B.Phillips N.Salmons
G.Willett      

It was proposed, seconded and carried that the club be known as "The Bloxham Bowls Club" and that the annual subscription should be a minimum of £1-1-0d. Before the meeting closed, 16 members had paid their subscriptions.
10th July, 1957
It was agreed that all meetings until further notice should be held in the Ellen Hinde Hall.
A decision was made that the site should temporarily be fenced with barbed wire. The committee would also meet the following Sunday on the site.
Various methods were discussed on how to raise funds for the club. A list of names was then compiled of local residents who might be interested in membership or in giving some financial assistance.
14th July, 1957

Meeting on site. G.Willett, with the assistance of members of the committee, roughly marked out the area of ground that would be required. It was estimated that approximately 200 cubic yards of soil etc. would have to be removed in order to level the site. To achieve this would require mechanical means so estimates were obtained from local contractors.
22nd July, 1957
A quotation from Smith & Sons of Bletchingdon, of £30-0-0d to level the green was accepted.
It was also generally agreed that to seed the green would mean that it would be roughly 2 or 3 years before it was fit to play on. A rough estimate by a local firm of between £90 and £100 for turfing the area with ordinary turf. It was decided that Cumberland turf was too costly at both the outset and in maintenance. A.Coles to stood security for the cost of turfing the green. At this meeting it was also suggested that members should obtain some idea of the game if possible! A.Coles kindly offered the use of his lawn for practice.
Bloxham Bowls Club's close association with Adderbury Bowls Club now commenced with Adderbury offering to entertain Bloxham on their green on a Saturday afternoon.

2nd September, 1957
It was agreed that Mr. Saunders of Kidlington would turf the green for £102-10-0d and that committee members could inspect the turf prior to laying. Also that G.Willett to try and obtain sand or ballast to make up the final level of the green.
15th October, 1957
Discussions took place concerning Indoor Bowling at the Winter Gardens, Banbury, for the Sunday and Thursday Leagues, Winter 1957-58.
12th November, 1957
Adderbury Bowls Club offered to allow Bloxham Bowls Club to use its green at an inclusive fee of £20 for the 1958 season. Accepted.
Turfing of the green was complete but needed sanding and rolling. It was agreed that permanent fencing should be erected.
18th March, 1958
Officers elected in 1957 would hold office for the 1958 season. G.Humphies replaced B. Phillips who had resigned. G.Willet was elected Captain and A.Coles Vice Captain.
It was decided that a cup given by Mr.J.Gardner should be used for a Pairs competition and should be inscribed, - "Bloxham Bowls Club - Perpetual Challenge Cup - Presented by J.Gardner Esq. April, 1958". Players' names should be drawn from a hat and all games to be "21 up". Rounds and semi-final should be played on the Adderbury Green and the final, if possible, on the Bloxham Green.
It was also agreed to pay Adderbury £10 as part payment of the £20 agreed for use of the green.

14th August, 1958
G.Willet kindly proposed to supply a scoreboard.
It was agreed to officially open the green on Saturday 6th September 1958. All members were asked to make an effort in finishing the work on the green in order to get it ready for the opening.
It was also agreed that Mrs. E.Hunt should be asked to open the Green and Mr. E.Hunt to bowl the first wood. The opening match should be between teams selected by the President and Vice-President. This match to be followed in the evening with the fixture with Middle Barton Bowling Club. The Ellen Hinde Hall was to be used for tea in the afternoon and supper in the evening. The Secretary was instructed to obtain supplies of beer, etc. G.Pegler stated that Mrs. Pegler would be pleased to organise the food and catering.
The final of the J.Gardner Pairs was fixed for Tuesday 9th September at 6.30pm.
25th September, 1958
Thanks and appreciation for the ladies work on the Opening day was duly recorded.
A long discussion was held on the subject of the acquisition of a pavilion. No decisions were to be made until the situation of a water supply had been settled. Changing was carried out in the 'wagon hovel' opposite the green. (Now 2 bungalows).

27th January, 1959
Subscriptions were raised to £2. There should be a restriction on membership and visitors should be allowed to play, if accompanied by a member, on payment of 1s-0d per session.
Mr.G Hankin offered a perpetual Challenge Cup to the club, for a singles competition. The Secretary also agreed to try and obtain another cup for the Club Handicap Singles competition.
Green fees of 6d each should be charged to visiting members and the fees be given to the groundsman.
Club Blazer Badge Design
The badge was designed by the Secretary, from suggestions by the members that:
In some way the design should signify the association of a country or village club and, as the field on which the green is situated is known as the "Barley Close", the theme of the design is that of a farming community and a sport familiar to all rural areas.
The Badge is of three barley ears on a green background with gold edging to the shield. The words "Bloxham Bowls Club" are embroidered above and below the shield.

17th November, 1960
It was decided to make a fourth rink on the green at a cost of approximately £32-10-0d. George Willett to arrange for the excavation of the rink and to arrange for the Midlands Electricity Board to remove a pole that stood on the area required.
5th July, 1960
Two members agreed to assist Harry Baughen with the green and surrounds. To date all of the work had been done by Harry who now had an additional rink to maintain.
20th July, 1961
Mrs.E.Hunt officially opened the new pavilion at 6.15p.m. This was followed by a game against Banbury Cross Indoors Bowls Club who also presented a clock to the Club to celebrate the opening of the new pavilion.
24th October, 1961
Mr. H.Tibbetts offered to provide the club with a building to be used as the Ladies & Gents toilets for a cost of £57-10-0d.
7th October, 1962
H. Baughen retired from maintaining the green and a Mr.W.Millard be paid a 'honorarium' of 25 Guineas the new Greenkeeper.
New electric heating to be installed in the pavilion for £55.

23rd November, 1962
During the season G.Willett was a selected to play for the County.
26th March, 1963
Messers E.Hunt, E.Woodford and B.Phillips were elected Life Members.
28th August, 1963
E.Hunt agreed to the Club purchasing the land occupied by the bowls club. A price of £500 was agreed and E.Hunt promptly reduced it to £450.
13th September, 1963
The first Trustees were elected. Messers G.Willett, L.Allen and G.Bardell.
3rd December, 1963
Completion of the transfer from Mr.E.Hunt to Bloxham Bowling Club of the ownership of the land occupied by the Club.

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