Clubhouse Bar Opening Times
Chairman's Bulletin 17 January 2025
This is my first bulletin of 2025 but there has been much going on over the festive break.
Clubhouse Refurbishment – phase 1
You will see a number of improvements to the interior décor of the clubhouse on your next visit, which I hope you will appreciate and enjoy. You will be met with new flooring and freshly painted walls and doors in a new colour scheme.
The contractors are still in the process of replacing the entirety of the floor and therefore, some (new) floor tiled areas remain, but these will be replaced in due course.
We hope to finish this first phase of refurbishments in the coming weeks which will include new wall lighting, an enclosure at the base of the large TV, further painting (more of which below) and signage.
The second phase will, when funds are reviewed, include more paintwork, new matting, bar furniture and a new ceiling with lighting.
New Roof
Unseen, but critically important in view of leaks that we have been suffering, is a new roof which has gone on to the main bar’s flat roof.
The old felt has been completely removed and a new graded frame built on top to prevent the rainwater pooling.
Below are the before, during and after shots taken of the works.
Thank You
None of this work has or will happen without a great deal of designing, planning and project management, the time for which has been donated by volunteers.
Our deepest thanks must go to Rudi Hynes who put an initial design concept together, Laura Andrews and Sarah Lucken who worked up the final design and project managed much of the work, and the whole OWA committee for helping with contractors, moving furniture, grant-funding and much else besides.
It is also a poignant moment to remember and be grateful for Mike and Margaret Parsons who left a generous donation in their will to the OWA which has helped fund a major part of this work.
Request for Volunteers – Painting
We will be fixing a painting day or days in the diary in the not-too-distant future and kindly request that you email me if you are interested in getting involved.
As we move into late winter/early spring, we will also need a working party to freshen up the front wood and brick work.
Eddie Bell’s Funeral and Wake
This Tuesday we celebrate the extraordinary life of OWA legend, Eddie Bell.
The funeral service will take place take place at 10 am on Tuesday 21st January 2025 at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, St. Margaret Drive, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7JQ.
Mourners will be welcomed at the Clubhouse from 11.30am for his wake.
Rugby
First XV
As a result of the last two fixtures being walkovers, the first XV find themselves just one point behind first-placed Old Cats, who have rigidly held on to top spot in Surrey Counties 2 since the start of the season. Their narrow loss to Chipstead just before Christmas reduced the gap by 3 points.
In one way it is good to have gained ground on the league leaders without the risk of injury. On the other hand, match sharpness could be an issue as we go into this second half of the season against none other than third-placed Chipstead, who will be chomping at the bit to reduce the deficit between them and us in the table, currently 12 points.
However, the lads have their eyes on the top spot and will need no more motivation than that to bring home a bonus point win because Old Cats are unlikely to falter in their match up against 4th placed Met Police.
Kick off is at Coombe Lane at 2 pm.
Rams
The Rams will be enjoying the sights of Battersea Park on Saturday in their pitch battle against London Media 2s. London Media 2s are struggling for numbers so it will be played in the 13 a-aside format.
Warriors
Sunday sees the U15s, U16s and Colts battle it out with their opposition in the first round of the Quins Cup while the U3 and U14s have Surrey Waterfall Cup games.
Football
Saturday
The weather has played havoc with fixtures at the start of the second half of the season but the 1s will be hoping it's third time lucky as they face AFC Londinium in the second round of Surrey FA Saturday Lower Junior County Cup, a tie which has now been postponed twice. The winners face a trip to AFC Royal Holloway Under 23's to book a spot in the Quarter Finals.
The 2s will hope to hit the ground running after not playing since mid December as they travel to Kings House Sports Ground to take on Civil Service 6ths in the Quarter Finals of the SAL Intermediate Novets Cup. If a Semi Final place is not motivation enough, the OWs will want revenge for a rare league defeat inflicted on them by Saturday's opponents back in October.
Sunday
Like the Saturday 1s, the Sunday 1s will be hoping to get their Third Round Surrey FA Sunday Junior County Cup tie played at the fourth time of asking this Sunday. They face Woodside FC who are not having the greatest season in Division 1 of the Orpington & Bromley.
The 2s are in league action in Division 6 with an away fixture against Sutton Knights A where a win would be a massive step towards climbing out of the relegation zone.
The 3s haven't played since November and they will have to wait another week to get back into action with no game this Sunday.
The Strollers will have to take full advantage of being at home on Sunday as they face Division 1's dark horses Yateley United Vets who have only played one league game so far but that was a victory over current leaders Godalming Town Veterans. A win for the strollers will draw them level on points with the leaders.
The Amblers travel to Badger Park to take on league leaders Hambledon Vets Reserves in the third round of the Invitation Cup.
Have a good week.
Michael-Jon Andrews
Chairman
Funeral details for Eddie Bell
The funeral mass for Eddie Bell will take place at 10 am on Tuesday 21st January 2025 at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, St. Margaret Drive, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 7JQ.
The wake will take place at the Clubhouse afterwards from 11.30 am.
The Bell family have set up a web page with further details. Please click on the link below.
This Christmas will be a poignant one for the Bell family without Eddie, and we continue to keep them all in our thoughts and prayers.
Eddie Bell – A tribute by OWCC President, Michael O’Brien
At rugby I remember him as a prop, but know that he had been a speedy winger in his younger days. He continued to support the rugby club and was team secretary for many years.
At cricket he was a wicket keeper and useful batsman. He was keen to expand the number of players and ran colts’ teams during the summer.
When he stepped down from playing, he continued to umpire and indeed organise a rota for umpiring, aspiring to have all league sides with an umpire every Saturday. Eddie was the OW Cricket Club President for more than a dozen years.
Eddie loved his OWs cricket and was regularly watching from the boundary including the 2024 season.
Earlier this year he told me how much he enjoyed umpiring and being part of the game. This was true throughout his sporting career as, win or lose, Eddie always found enjoyment, followed by a laugh over a pint or two afterwards.
I was fortunate to play both rugby and cricket in the same teams as Eddie. I remember going to a rugby AGM and receiving ‘the Eddie arm’, only to go home as 2nd XV captain.
The Old Wimbledonians Association may never see his like again. He did so much for the club over the years, much behind the scenes.
David Barella RIP
It is with great sadness that we announce that David Barella passed away on the 26th December after a long illness. His devoted partner, Liz, and his daughter, Kate, were with him when he passed away peacefully at home.
Some words from Graham Turner, former Chairman and 1st XV Captain and a close friend to David:
David joined the OW’s in the early 60’s straight from school and played cricket and rugby for us over 3 decades. He was a solid player in both disciplines, but his great skill (and promotion to legendary status) was in his captaincy of the 3rd XI and the Extra A XV.
David certainly led by example but much more by sheer force of personality. Quite honestly, Dave was the funniest man around, both on and off the field. Everyone wanted to play in his teams and some were genuinely disappointed when promoted to higher teams.
For many years after he stopped playing, David regularly supported all year round and attended (with Liz) most of the social events of both sections. Covid and ongoing medical problems ultimately reduced this, but he never lost interest. He will be sorely missed.
David's funeral is on Friday 24th January, 12 noon at St Christopher's Church, Dallas Road, Cheam SM3 8RS.
The family warmly invite attendees to join them for a Reception afterwards at Sutton & Epsom Rugby Club, Rugby Lane, Ewell, Sutton SM2 7NF.
May he rest in peace.
Wimbledon College Hospitalité Pilgrimage to Lourdes
22 to 26 August 2025
Wimbledon College Hospitalité are once again organising working and non-working trips to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes to run along side each other in August of 2025.
Please see the full article on the work they do and how you can get involved on the Hospitalité page.
3 minute film of the grounds circa 1929 . Clubhouse is where the chairs are. Click on the image to see on Pathe site.
OWA Big Prize Club
HAVE SOME FUN AND SUPPORT THE OWs, WARRIORS AND CRICKET COLTS
The OW Big Prize Club, a registered lottery, has six annual draws. The first prize in each draw is £1000 and there are three lesser prizes.
50% of BPC subscriptions is distributed as prizes and the remaining 50% supports the facilities for the OWs, the cricket colts and the rugby warriors.
Total prizes distributed in 2018 were c. £ 7600. Annual prize money increases with increased numbers of subscribers (the annual number of draws has recently been increased from 5 to 6 per year).
New subscribers are very welcome. Anyone can join and you can have as many "tickets" as you wish for yourself, your children or grandchildren. The BPC subscription is £10 pcm.
If you would like others to join the BPC please email owabigprize@gmail.com.
A big thank you to all that give their support via the BPC and good luck in future draws.
Best Regards.
Dave Doran
Big Prize Club AdminRemembrance Page Now Available
Check out the Remembrance Page which remembers those from the College who died in the First and Second World Wars.
We have also updated the Notable Alumni page
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