A Condensed History of the Bloxham Bowls Club - 1964 to 1980

4th November, 1964
Congratulations were given to all the members who played for the Club for winning the Hawker Cup - a county competition.
24th October, 1965
First breaking and entering of the Club (£21 stolen) , preventative measures put in place.
24th November, 1965
It was agreed to change the 'Red Barrel' beer on sale at the club to 'Whitbread Tankard' and sold at the same price - 1s/11d per pint!
A tender, for the extension of the pavilion, by Messers Bray & Sons was accepted. (£574-17-0d).
20th August, 1967
Due to the poor condition of the club piano it was agreed to advertise for another in good condition.
8th September, 1968
The Club had been advised to alter the rule with regard to membership and visitors as follows:
"Members of visiting teams, officials and bona fide supporters invited to the Club on behalf of the members of the Club shall be deemed to be members of the Club for the day of the visit and as such shall be entitled to purchase intoxicants for consumption on the Club premises."
22nd November, 1968
G. Pegler, Captain for the 1968 season, with regard to the 'Hawker Cup' said that we won it but did not get it, but it was an exciting season. (Lost in the final.)
21st November, 1969
George Willett became Senior Deputy President of the Oxfordshire Bowling Association.
12th July, 1970
First attempt to purchase the current car park from the council.
8th November, 1970
After months of negotiation, 'Double Diamond' was installed in the bar at 2s 4d per pint.
George Willett was elected President of the Oxfordshire Bowling Association.
After months of complaining about bad parking in front of his cottage by members of the Club, Jack Porter was elected to bein charge of the Annual Dinner Dance raffle!
27th November, 1970
George Willett was thanked for his donation to the Club of a new score board.
The club was fully re-decorated during the past year and a modern fruit machine installed.
During the year a founder member and past President had died, Sid Bennett.
Les Allen played for the County during the season.
After 10 years Ron Clarke and his wife resigned from running the bar.
20th December, 1970
Harry Baughen was presented with a set of initialled bowls for his immortal work on the green.
14th February, 1971
Bloxham Senior Citizens Club was given permission to use the Club pavilion during weekday afternoons, under certain conditions, free of charge.
Hinkins & Frewin were contracted to make the alterations of the bank at the far end of the green.
9th May, 1971
The Secretary was instructed to order eight official pattern Green Mats, black with white borders, for the use of club matches and these would be locked away for this purpose. Club members would use the existing mats when playing each other.
8th August, 1971
George Bardell played for the County during the season.
24th October, 1971
The club room was fully carpeted with 'non-woven carpet tiles' for the cost of £92.00.
Harry Baughen resigned as green keeper and relinquished the Senior Vice Presidents office for 1972.
24th November, 1972
George Bardell, Arthur Coles, Les Allen and Ian George played for the County during the season.
The first Patron was elected - Edward Hunt.
13th May, 1973
The conifers outside the front of the Clubhouse were to be removed and a new changing hut be purchased. (£59). The old wooden flagpole would be dismantled because of its dangerous state, and replaced with an aluminium one.
8th June, 1975
New changing rooms completed.
13th July, 1975
A bid of £1,000 for 0.41 acres of land backing onto the green was submitted to the parties concerned.
17th August, 1975
The bid for the land backing onto the green (the current car park) was successful. A decision for the fencing of the land would be made as soon as possible.
7th September, 1975
A special meeting was held to discuss the fencing of the new land, surfacing, path, steps and re-positioning the fence at the back of the green.
11th July, 1976
The new sports field/car park has at last been legally handed over.
Cooler was requested for the beer. 1976 had a long, hot summer!
12th September, 1976
The practice concerning the taking of the bar cash home by a member of the bar staff, for safe keeping, was abandoned after it was stolen from a bar staff member's house. It was decided to buy a safe.
12th December, 1976
Cyril Hicks a local fruit merchant donated a silver cup to be played for annually in competitions - The Cyril Hicks Jubilee Triples Cup.
18th November, 1977
Bobby Coles and Alan Nicholls played for the O.B.A. during the season.
15th November, 1979
Dennis Smith was presented with a magnificent pewter tankard inscribed "For Outstanding Services".
The first two rinks to be starred (2 & 3) by the O.B.A.
Ian George proposed that in the near future the Club should open its doors to lady members. If there was enough interest it would be put on the agenda for the next A.G.M. Meantime ladies would be welcomed to play if accompanied by a member and signed into the visitors book for a friendly game on a payment of 10p per game.
Joining age for the club was lowered from 16 years to 14 years in line with the E.B.A. ruling.
8th June, 1980
Bobby Coles and Mick Taylor put forward an alternative scheme to the proposed clubhouse extension, for a new building in the car park with Mick supplying and erecting a steel frame free of charge.
This scheme was chosen over the extension of the existing clubhouse. New plans and quotes required.
7th November, 1980
Karl Mitchell won the 'Under 25 O.B.A Singles'.
Alan Nicholls played for the County during the season.