Sports and Leisure Activities

In 1912 Mr. A. E. Owen opened a recreation ground next to the factory, complete with bowling greens and tennis courts, to provide relaxation and enjoyment for the workers at midday or in the evening. The company's institute had a billiards room, a reading room and a concert room, which were greatly appreciated by the employees.

The following details of the sports club, and musical groups are from Cope's Wednesbury & Darlaston Blue Book and Directory, for 1921:

Most people will fondly remember the sports days and activities that took place on the firm's later recreation ground in Bentley Road North. Work on the ground began in 1939, but was held-up by the Second World War. After the war, work on the ground continued, and parts of it were soon in use. It took until the middle of 1948 to finally complete the project. It became known as Bentley Sports Ground, and was used by many employees for their sporting activities.

Bowls

The Owen brothers battling it out. From the summer 1950 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".		 A new pavilion was built next to the bowling Greens, which was officially opened by Mr. A. G. B. Owen on Saturday 8th April 1950, which coincided with the first day of the bowling season, and also his birthday.

The celebration began with a bowls match between Mr. E. W. B. Owen, Club Chairman, and his brother Mr. A. G. B. Owen, who lost the match.

Any employee could join the bowls club on the payment of a one shilling fee, payable to the club secretary, Mr. Thomas Wilkinson from the Structural Department.
The club had many successes including coming first in the Walsall and District League, the Darlaston and District League, Wolverhampton Works League, and Wolverhampton Private Greens League.

The club also won the Staffordshire Consolation Cup, and the Staffordshire Cup. One of the team's players, Cyril Wolverson was Staffordshire County Champion in 1941.
The opening of the new pavilion. From the summer 1950 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
Members of the bowling club in 1924.

From the summer 1947 edition of the staff magazine "Pyramid".
The winners of the South Staffordshire Consolation Cup.

From the summer 1947 edition of the staff magazine "Pyramid".
Members of the company's successful bowling team who won the Darlaston and District Works Bowling League in 1949. The cup was presented by the League President Mr. Norris Winn in the Woden Works Canteen.

From the spring 1950 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
Cricket

The game was well-supported by the employees. The company had a works team who played in local leagues, and departmental teams who competed annually for the A. G. B. Owen Cricket Cup.

The 1951 Rubery Owen Cricket Team. From the Christmas 1951 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
Back row left to right: I. Perks, A. Stead, A. Daker, W. McCourt, R. French, and K. Ross.
Middle row left to right: J. Butler, G. Wootton, J. Dale, S. Edwards, J. Rumble, H. Gay, S. Crutchley, W. Stenhouse, and A. Smith (umpire).
Front row left to right: J. Langham, L. Pugh, G. Everton, H. Willey (Captain), J. A. Willmore (Chairman), J. Mills, V. Unitt, and W. Parkes.
Seated in front: V. Unitt, scorer and mascot.
Football
As in other sporting activities, there were departmental football teams and a works football team. There was also a junior team which in 1947 beat Hillary Street Old Boys team on their own ground, by 6 goals to nil. The first time the team had been defeated in eleven years.

In 1947 the works team beat Walsall Y.M.C.A. by 6 goals to 4. Their first defeat.


From the summer 1947 edition of the staff magazine "Pyramid".
The annual Sports Day
The largest annual event at the recreation ground was the Rubery Owen sports day, when large numbers of staff competed in all kinds of sporting competitions, and thousands of staff and their families came along to watch and enjoy the proceedings, which were wide and varied. There were events for adults and children, ranging from athletics, rifle shooting, novelty races, a beauty parade, the competition for 'Miss Sunshine', a horticultural show, a horticultural competition, the David Owen bowls competition, a tug of war, and a carnival parade. Refreshments were on sale to help support the Sports and Social Club.
Spectators braving the elements in 1954.

From the autumn 1954 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
Miss Sunshine and her attendants in 1954.

Left to right: Miss N. Baddams, Miss J. Faulkner, and Miss Sylvia Sholtock.

From the autumn 1954 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
Miss Sunshine and her attendants in 1948.

Left to right: Miss Brenda Tonge, Miss Christine Farmer, and Miss Joyce Jackson.

From the autumn 1948 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".

 
The 1951 Miss Sunshine competition.

From the autumn 1951 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".

 
The 1948 Miss Sunshine competition.

From the autumn 1948 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
The 1954 first prize tableau winner 'Swan Lake' by the Aviation Department.

From the autumn 1954 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
The 1954 winner of the Decorated Vehicle Class, Mrs. J. Hough from the Motor Frame Stores, with her 'R.O. Canteen Nippy'.

From the autumn 1954 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
The 1948 tug of war.

From the autumn 1948 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
The 1951 tug of war.

From the autumn 1951 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
The 1948 vaulting competition.

From the autumn 1948 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
The end of the inter-works half mile race in 1954.

From the autumn 1954 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
The 1954 stilt walking race.

From the autumn 1954 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
The 1954 sack and potato race for girls.

From the autumn 1954 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
The start of an invitation race in 1951.

From the autumn 1951 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
The putting the shot competition in 1951.

From the autumn 1951 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
Judging at the horticultural show in 1951.

From the autumn 1951 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
Netball
Members of the netball team from the Aviation Department who won the Rubery Owen Netball Cup for the second time on 31st May, 1947, beating the team from the Material Control Department.

Some of the ladies played for Staffordshire in county matches.

From the summer 1947 edition of the staff magazine "Pyramid".
Angling
Angling has always been a popular pastime. Each department had its own team which competed in the inter-departmental angling competition for the E. W. B. Owen Angling Cup.

There was also a works team which competed with teams from other factories in the group, and with other local works teams.
 

The two teams from the above contest. From the Christmas 1951 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
The Rubery Owen Chess Club


From the Christmas 1951 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".


The Rubery Owen Chess Team in 1951. From the Christmas 1951 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
Back row left to right: W. Arnold, P. N. Wallis, E. H. Williams, J. Garrington, and W. Galloway.
Front row left to right: R. C. Minifie, N. Fitton, R. V. Maylott (Captain), V. L. Pardoe, and H. Lewis.
Other Sports Teams and Clubs

There were also departmental and works swimming, athletics, tennis, rugby, snooker and billiards, whist, crib, darts, table tennis, ground hand ball teams, and an active drama club.

In 1947 Mr. H. Buckley won an open 1,500 yards race at Cannock, and gained a place in Tipton Harriers. The athletics teams competed for the A. G. B. Owen Athletics Cup. In the same year some of the Welsh members of staff formed a Rugby club, and in 1966 founded Willenhall Rugby Club, based in nearby Essington.

Darlaston Baths used to be booked each Wednesday evening for Rubery Owen employees, some of whom competed each year in the inter-works relay championship. On two evenings each week the company's drill hall was set aside for table tennis.

An important event was the annual works trip, usually to the seaside. For many years a special train would be booked for the event.

A day out for a group of employees from the motor wheel who visited the Peak District. From the Christmas 1949 edition of the staff magazine "Goodwill".
   
Return to
Sons of Rest		    Return to
the contents 		  Proceed to Subsidiaries