Our 50th anniversary celebrations were kicked off on the 11th July 2009 at Drayton Golf Club. (Webmaster: Anyone with photos/videos please get in touch !)

50thReunion-Sml.jpg  Click on the photo for more photos of the night

 

 

 CHAIRMANS REPORT -- ABINGDON REUNION


The Reunion arranged for Sat 11th July was according to genial guests, a result. It took place in the lower bar of the Drayton Golf Club. A special thanks to Pepe and Jimmy for their invaluable help. The idea of evening was to bring together as many players and ex-players as possible to reminisce about the previous 50 years.


The evening started with the arrival of some special guests who over the years have put a lot of effort into the league. First, Don and Margaret Bracher who was one of our presidents from Morlands Brewery. He is now Head Brewer at Arkells, Swindon brewery. It was very much appreciated by us for him to make the effort to come along. We joked that maybe we could encourage Arkells to get involved and spread the word to wildest Wiltshire, we left the debate open (are you reading this Don)?


Georgina Green wife of the late great Sid Green came along with her son Norman and his wife Wendy. Georgie is in her 88th year and still going strong, she has given me a great deal of help with photos and newspaper clippings plus copies of nearly all of the finals night programmes, again I appreciated her help. Also, from Bayworth, Tony and Pam Thompson, Tony is famous for getting his pipe going just before going on the oche. From Three Horseshoes and Thatched Tavern in Appleton, Arthur White aged 85 really pleased to see a stalwart from the past also Mike and Eric Brind a couple of Steventon hooligans from the past, 77 and 82 respectively. When I first started playing Mike was my very first singles opponent, somehow you never forget “the first time do you”? Bit like women and love sort of thing. I digress, anyway he thrashed me and I never forgave him, he had no pity for a fresh faced youth at that time “bless him”. But for revenge I will play him anywhere, any time.


We also had a few guests from Oxford. Brian Collins the only person i know who is still making our sticks and dolls, thanks for coming and don't retire we need you. There was also Maurice and Kevin Baker, Dave Sawyer and none other than Phil [ the real McCoy ] Adams more later. There will be a full list of guests at the end of the report.


James and I had set the mobile pitch up in order to have a couple of exhibition matches, of course it rained and rained and rained thus washing out the matches plus the Grand Finale which I had been nurturing for weeks. The best player still on the circuit in Oxford bar none against our very own champ who we all feel is invincible even though he retired, (you reading this Lisa?) Phil Adams versus Dave Dix.

We gave few facts and figures from the past such as

  1. Who was the first person anywhere to get the max 18 dolls?
  2. Who was the first person in the Abingdon league ?
  3. What is the highest score in a leg in Oxford?
  4. What is the highest score in a leg in Abingdon?
  5. How many people have won both Abingdon and Oxford singles?
  6. Name them!
  7. First lady to score a six in Abingdon on finals night?
  8. Which players have achieved the maximum score of 18 twice?

We will give you time to think maybe publish the answers at a later date.


We then had a parade of singles champions who were present


Tony Thompson

Eddie Cross

Martin Sheridan

Pete Song

Dave Dix

Maurice Baker

Dave Sawyer

Tony Ward

Graham Brown

Terry Downes

Mick Berry

Dave Hudson

Richard Howe

Graham Barguss


Tony Thompson being the oldest winner at 75 and Terry Downes the youngest at 46.


Towards the end we raffled a set of Aunt Sally sticks to help pay for the refurbishment of our mobile pitch. It was won by a guy who has not played for a few years because of ill health but feels he is able to come along and start again Steve Pugh welcome back and get some notches on those new sticks.


As the evening came to a close we challenged the Oxford league to a match to celebrate our anniversary. This was accepted by Kevin Baker and towards the end of the season we will play for the Basil Collins invitation trophy. It will consist of the A Team a selection of the finest players Abingdon can produce on the night. The B Team will consist of players young and old who have contributed to the advancement of the league. The third game will be the big one, 5 legs of hard fought Aunt Sally to determine the undisputed Oxfordshire champion, unless of course you know different? Keep an eye on this site to confirm date and venue possibly a sponsor to raise the profile of someone's business?


A big thank you to all those who attended the evening it was most appreciated by the committee.

Graham Barguss

Chairman, Abingdon & District Aunt Sally League




Names of guests who attended


EDDIE CROSS - BRIAN SHIRLEY - GRAHAM RIDGE - JULIE RIDGE - MAURICE BAKER - KEVIN BAKER - DAVE SAWYER - GEOGINA GREEN - NORMAN GREEN - WENDY GREEN - PAM THOMPSON - TONY THOMPSON - DON BRACHER - MARGARGET BRACHER - PHIL ADAMS - DAVID DIX - MICK BERRY - JOHN GAPPER - BARBARA GAPPER - TERRY DOWNES - PETE SONG - BARRY PARKER - BRIAN COLLINS - KEITH BUCKLE - RICHARD BUMPUSS - DAVID BARNES - BRIAN ADAMS - ARTHER WHITE - MATT HALL - BOB LEWIS - STEVE PUGH - DEREK BENNETT - RICHARD HOWE - MIKE BRIND - ERIC BRIND - NICK RIDGE - BARBARA BRIND - JULIE BRIND - BRIAN LACEY - DAVID SAPEY - MARTIN SHERIDAN - TONY WARD - GRAHAME BRIND - COLIN BRIND - MICHAEL JARVIS - ANNE BARGUSS - HELLEN BARGUSS - SUSAN SWALLOW - JASON LESIAKOWSKI

There were other guests but did not sign the register.

Thank you, Jason, for bringing in the Aunt Sally pitch in in the pouring rain.

And Finally..... 

Don't forget the Founder Members trophy at Steventon Sports Club on Thursday 6th August open to all Abingdon Aunt Sally players over 55 years old. We will be issuing out the mementoes to all league teams on that night . If you could send one member of your team to collect it would be most appreciated.