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Newsletter 01: No. 20

NEWSLETTER - 20

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NEWSLETTER - 20

Editors: P.J. FitzGibbon, M.J. Godden

3rd August, 1971.

The seven Old Boys who turned up to help at the Dance after St. Nicholas Fair will by now have had time to cool off after what will almost surely be our last public Dance.

It is not pleasant to keep reminding people to come and help and although some may have become fed up with constant appeals for support we have tried to keep the reminders as short and light hearted as possible. Most of our Dances have been attended by 15-20 members which has been a sufficient number, but it is pathetic that an organisation 100 strong with over 50 active sportsmen in its ranks, cannot muster 20 to give up one evening in the Summer to raise money for a Clubhouse from which all will benefit. There could be no excuse for not knowing of the Dance as both previous Newsletters were full of details and it is therefore quite apparent that most Old Boys don't give a damn as to whether we have a Clubhouse or not.

The seven who did turn up were unable to cope with a rowdy element of juvenile delinquents, intent on causing trouble and the Dance was closed at 10pm. and the police called. Mercifully, only one small window was broken but if there had been a strong contingent of rugby players, the trouble could well have been largely averted.

Dances have been our most lucrative source of income for over two years and nearly £2,000 has been raised from them without touching the pockets of our members and their friends. Now, if we are to keep a steady income, we shall have to turn to internal ways of raising money and this is bound to affect all of us adversely.

At the Fair itself, the Old Boys ran several stalls. Once again, however, it fell to the faithful few and most of those who helped were at work without a break all afternoon. Several Old Boys apparently stayed away because they thought we got a raw deal last year in return for the effort put in. True as this may be, it should be remembered that we still need every penny we can raise at the Fair but we couldn't have wished for better weather and it is believed that profits were quite high.

THE BROOKSIDE SAGA

You probably read in the last slice of this Chronicle all about the adventures of the Building Committee at various London Breweries.

Now back to serious business. An official application was prepared for the erection of a building at Brookside. This was sent to the Director of Parks of the London Borough of Hillingdon almost exactly a year ago, and in due course was passed on to the Parks Committee.

The Parks Committee immediately arranged a Meeting between the Director of Parks, his Assistant, and representatives of the Old Boys' Association. This Meeting duly took place, a mere five months later, at Springfield House in Hayes.

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The Old Boys were represented by Mick Biles, Rich Finer, Peter FitzGibbon and Mike Stevenson. This quartet were informed of certain reservations the Borough Council had concerning the application.

Firstly, they were afraid that if they agreed to the building of a Clubhouse, the presumed growth in the member- ship of the Association would lead to overcrowding of the changing facilities, and to a demand for more pitches on the Brookside site.

Secondly, they expressed concern that a Clubhouse on the site would lead to excessive noise in the neighbourhood, which would apparently upset the residents.

Thirdly, they assumed that we would require the use of the Clubhouse for 12 months a year, which would mean that we would need summer sport facilities e.g. cricket pitches.

To find out how the Old Boys countered this somewhat discouraging reception, and to read about their counter- proposals, you'll have to wait for the next portion of :- THE BROOKSIDE SAGA

FOOTBALL CLUB

At the Annual General Meeting of the Marathon League our Football Club heard that it had been promoted for the second consecutive year and next season as a result of finishing 3rd in the 2nd Division will try their luck in the 1st. Their own A.G.M. will be held at 125, Cannon Lane, Pinner, on Saturday 7th August, commencing at 10.30 a.m.

RUGBY CLUB

With a full and tough programme only a month away, serious training has started at the School on Wednesday evenings from 7.15 p.m. and at Kings College Playing Fields on Sunday mornings from 10.00 a.m. This year's Team Secretary is Mike Biles and if you have received a circular please remember to return the slip. Anyone interested in playing who has not received a circular should contact him at 39 Knoll Crescent, Northwood.

ON THE MOVE

Three prominent members of the O.B.A. have made big moves in the last few weeks.

Ken Chalk has taken an assisted passage to Australia with his wife Sue and will be working there for at least two years. He vacates the Treasurer's position on the Committee, and Ian Cartwright has been co-opted back into that position until the A.G.M.

Committee man Robin "Flob" Green has recently married and will be living and working in Epsom. We offer congratulations to him and also to a former Vice Chairman and current Co-Editor of this world renowned publication, Mike ("Mojo" to some) Godden who got married last Saturday.

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CRICKET CLUB

The Cricket Club have been enjoying greater success in recent weeks and now have played 23 matches, winning 10, drawing 6 and losing 7.

Suggestions:

Rooms and Buildings 20

Past and Present (1975)

A Man for all Seasons
(1963)

The Clown (1970)

Badminton and Squash