Page 76 - Phonebox Magazine December 2009

Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions Present Cheque to Newport Pagnells Brooklands Club
An Institution of which the Town can be proud.
The following verse was composed by Kit Tate, who wrote two books of poetry during her lifetime. This came from her book “My Garden: and other poems”.
(Aunt Kit is seen within the Choir, Bottom Row 2nd from right.)
A verse about the newly built Club
‘There is a club in Ousebank Street That has already won renown
It is the happy rendezvous, for old folks in the Town
It’s in a quiet secluded spot, yet O! So cheerful too
And charmed by scenes and sunshine, thro’ windows with a view
It’s lovely in the springtime, when flowers bloom again
And hedgerow buds are waking, in every country lane
For here the old club members, share something grand and new
And enjoy the changing seasons, from those windows with a view
When birds their nests are building, in the trees nearby
The boughs are gently swaying, as in and out they fly
But the scene that stretches furthest, and most enchanting too
Is of familiar places seen, thro’ those windows with a view
In golden summer sunshine, on the waters clear and bright
The stately swans a gliding are, another lovely sight
But the happy days of childhood, and other memories too
Enhance the joy of looking through, those windows with a view.’
© K Tate.
At the British Legion Club On Monday 19th October 2009 the Newport Pagnell and Olney Lions presented a £1,000 cheque to the Newport Pagnell Brooklands Centre Appeal, in support of the the new building being presently built on the site of the older premises in Ouse Bank Street, which sadly had to be demolished earlier in the year due to subsidence. The club is now being housed temporarily in the British Legion Club until the new building is complete.
Williamson, Percy Smith, John Miller, Bill Horne, Les Payne, Peter Adams, Ron Groom and Terry Sapwell.
In addition to this was the “Soapbox Derby” which was held down Silver Street. This gave the youngsters of the time something to look forward to every year. The races were divided into age groups giving the younger participants a fighting chance.
Much effort was put in by the contestants in the building of their soapboxes for this unprecedented race. It drew in the spectators and helped to raise money for the cause.
The winner, Barry Mead, in his “Speed King”, won the Silver Cup and Voucher of 10s. Barry also won the award for best Soap Box.
Heat winners were Maurice Barratt, Barry Mead, Michael Ellens and Robert Bavington. Second prize went to Michael Ellens. The heat winners received 2s 6d.
The Fathers’ race was won by Mr A. Munton who was manager of the Co-op fish and chip shop. His prize was a “Shaving Stick”.
The race for all losers was won by Michael Smith who beat Trevor Vaughan.
Malcom Garratt beat the vicar’s son, Michael Williams, in the late entrance section. The Organisers of the event also took up the challenge finishing in reverse order G. A. P., with Captain Payne crashing out.
Other entertainment included the River revelry and festivity involving Tug of War and Mock Battles in and over the River Great Ouse to name just two events.
All of this raised money given by the spectators helping to establish the beginnings of the Brooklands Club.
Early History
The chairman of the Club at the onset was Mr Bert Ellis. Miss Catherine Bull was on the Old People’s Welfare Committee when the Club was first established.
The building of the club was started during 1958 and completed and officially opened on the 31st October 1959 by Mrs Lovelock Jones, Chairwoman of the Bucks Old People’s Welfare Committee, who was also the County Health Organiser.
Opened for local pensioners, its aim was to help keep them active and provide their own place to meet. It has given pleasure to so many of our elderly residents over the last fifty years.
As the club developed over the years it soon became evident it was becoming too small for the membership. However, local baker Arthur Mitchell of Silver Street and Bury Street left a legacy which was then used to extend the club providing dressing rooms and storage for the stage, and making more room for the members and staff.
The stage was used for concerts by the
John Ferris presenting the Lions Cheque to Sandra Dorrill Centre Manager
Looking back
The Club was helped and founded originally by Mr Bob Dunbabin, Clerk of the Council, with the assistance of Col Payne also a member of the U D C. The idea in its infancy was just a cherished hope.
A suitable plot of land was found overlooking Ouse Bank Gardens and the River Great Ouse.
Preceding this, in approximately 1953, three of the town’s local men Ron Groom, Peter Adams, and Col Leslie Payne became aware the town was in need of something to offer its senior citizens.
They formed a syndicate “P A G Productions” (Payne, Adams & Groom) and helped to raise money by putting on entertainment within the town.
Crazy Races and the Soap Box Derby
The team organised crazy races with grown men dressed as mothers and babies in prams, being pushed in a race to many of the local pubs and inns during its course. They drank beer at every stop, provided free of charge by the landlords, which to some was a good enough reason to enter the race.
The winners were obviously whoever reached the finishing line first, which was not that easy after several pints of best ale, and pushing their full grown babies. To the onlookers this was hilarious, seeing full grown men dressed as babies scrambling and thrown out of their prams to get to their promised ale, in an effort to win the race.
Some of the fun-loving men taking part were: Henry Moore, Harold Summerlin, Tom
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club’s own choir whose age it is said totalled 900 years. Judging by the 18 members shown on the photograph, if they were all 60 it would total 1080 years. Of course many of the choir members were older still.
The extended club was officially opened by Major J. D. Young, Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, who was introduced by Colonel Payne.
Also present were Councillors Percy Mason, chairman of the U. D. C. Councillor; A. Snaith, chairman of the R D C. and Councillor Fred James, Vice Chairman of the U D C, who then gave a vote of thanks.
P A G Members Col Payne, Pete Adams and Ron Groom were also present during the new extension opening.
More recent success
The club has been successful over the last fifty years because of the dedicated band of helpers making sure things run smoothly. The fully equipped kitchen sees volunteers cook meals on club days, including special