The billiards "A" team taken in 1987
|
The Billiards Team (formerly the Men's Club) play in the sports
pavillion every other Monday evening at 7.30 pm, the alternate Monday
the match being away from home. It is affiliated to the Croughton
& District Billiards League.
The "A" Team is L to R; Chris Saunders, Tony "Tug"
Wilson, Geoff Watson and Alan Watson. The current "B"
Team is; John Watson, Mike Ayres, Jason Holt, Gerald Holt and Alan
Carruthers.
Helmdon Working Men's Club was formed after the Reading
Room was given by Charles Fairbrother for the men of the village
to have newspapers and magazines to read. The trustees were the
Rector and two Churchwardens, but the Officers of the Club were
responsible for the running of the Reading Room.
Over the years, in addition to reading of papers, other interests
such as cards and board games, darts, table tennis and billiards
were added. Membership of the Club grew over these years and the
Reading Room was widely available for general use. All bookings
of events, the maintenance of the room and adjoining cottage were
all carried out by the Club but, as further improvements was needed,
the Club agreed to hand the Reading Room over to be run under the
Village Hall scheme.
Membership of the Club has diminished in recent years until mainly
billiards is played in the local leagues. As difficulty was found
in putting up the table and frame each evening, the Club applied
to the Reading Room to have the billiard table sited at the far
end of the extension. It would have been fitted with a table top
so that it could then be used as a table when needed and, if the
full room was required for a larger activity, the table could have
been put away. However, the Reading Room turned down the application
so, after well over 100 years, the Working Men's Club had no alternative
but to close in the Reading Room
Fortunately, Helmdon Sports Club has come to the rescue of the
billiards teams and they now play all of their matches in the Sports
pavilion on Wappenham Road. The billiard table is now fitted with
a new top for use as a table when needed. Billiards will now continue
in the village as the Billiards section of the Helmdon Sports Club.
Alan Watson.
The secretary of the club is Tony Wilson (01295
760231), and the treasurer is Chris Saunders.
|