- Home
- News / events
- Avenue Road
- Biggin
- Buckingham Road
- Census 1841
- Chapels
- Charities & poor relief
- Church
- Church Street
- Directories / descriptions
- Enclosure
- Families / people
- Farms
- Fire insurance
- High Street
- Horn Street
- Maps
- Market Square
- Medieval & 16th century
- 19th-20th Centuries
- Oral history
- Parish Council
- Photographs
- Pubs
- Railway
- Redfield
- Schools
- 17th-18th Centuries
- Sheep Street
- Shipton
- Station Road
- Tanneries
- Tinkers End
- Turnpike
- Vicarage & Verney Roads
- Western Lane
- Wills
- Windmill
- Winslow Hall
- Workhouse / Hospital
- World War One
- Sitemap
- Links
- Search site
- About us / contact
Recreation Ground / Bell Closes / Tabernacle Field
The two fields which became the Recreation Ground (home of Winslow United Football Club and Winslow Town Cricket Club) were acquired by the Parish Council in 1949, 60 years after a recreation ground for Winslow was first proposed. They already owned the adjacent Children's Playing Field, which had to be realigned when Elmfields Gate was built in the 1960s. The fields were previously known as Bell Closes. This name seems to have moved in the 19th century from the adjacent field to the west, which had presumably been used by the owners of The Bell (there was another Bell Close in the 19th century near Furze Lane). The area was the site of Winslow's original windmill.
1347: manor court
The lord granted to Master William, Vicar of Wynselowe, a pasture called Bubbesgorewey, along with a path next to the Windmill of Wynselowe, abutting on to the demesne land. Rent 15d.
1506: manor court
Granted to Henry Brother of Selliswell [Shelswell] Gentilman & Margaret his wife unam mentosam parcellam pasture or a certain site formerly a windmill with ditches lying on the N side of the vill of W next to the highway to Gt Horwood, for 4d p.a. rent. Fine: 4 pairs[?] of cloaks [copulis amictorum].
According to VCH Oxon vol.6, Margaret was co-heiress of John Cornwall of Shelswell. Henry Brothers died before 1508 when Margaret married Leonard Verney. She died in 1530. Henry left his lands to his son George after Margaret's death, but George predeceased her.
1515: will of George Brothers (TNA, PROB 11/21/354, proved 10 May 1524)
... I George Brothers ... now being and [sic] maister of arts of Cambridge ... my body to be buried within the parishe churche of Newport Panell. Also I geve to Annes my wife all those lands and tenements the which Henry Brothers my fader gave me by his testament as in the same testament more playnly doth appere So that the same lands immediatly after the death of Margaret my moder shalbe to my said wife as freely as ever my said father gave the said lands to me ...
1516: manor court
Margaret Verney alienated to Richard Willowis a windmill without licence.
1532-38: TNA, C 1/748/3 [not seen]
Plaintiff: Agnes, late the wife of George Brothurs.
Defendants: Peter, son and heir of Henry Brothers, Peter Cokkes, and John Boston.
Subject: Detention of deeds relating to messuages and land in Tingewick and Neston, and a wind-mill in Winslow.
The subsequent history of the former windmill site is unclear, but somewhere between 1538 and 1666 its name changed from Mill Close to Bell Close. The connection with the Bell Inn has not been found. The land which is now the Recreation Ground can be seen in the LIDAR image below to have traces of ridge and furrow, so it continued to be ploughed as part of the open fields. The windmill probably stood to the west near the present-day High Street, in an area which had already been enclosed as pasture in the 14th century.
1666: manor court
John Studsbury [d.1643] previously surrendered among other things a close of pasture in Winslowe once called Mill Close and now called the Bell Close lying in Old Millfield. To the use of William Glenister and Henry Pim as "trustees" to provide portions for his younger children. Andrew Studsbury, son and heir of John, satisfied all sums of money to the younger children in fulfilment of the surrender, and now sought admission. Rent 9d, fine 6s.
1670: manor court
Mortgage by Andrew Stutsbury to Mathew Deverell of Swanbourne: a close of pasture in Winslowe in Old Mill Feild once called Mill Close and now called Bell Close containing 3 acres. Rent 9d, fine 6s.
1679: death of Andrew Stutsbury; John (see below) was his eldest son.
1688: manor court
Mortgage by John Stutsberry and Elizabeth his wife to Francis Winslow of Lee in the parish of Quainton [=Shipton Lee]: two closes called Bell Closes in Winslow field containing 3 acres. Rent [blank], fine 6s.
1690: manor court
John Stutsbery and Elizabeth his wife surrendered 2 closes in the field of Winslow commonly called Bell Closes ... To the use of William Giles and Sarah his wife for their lives, then to William's heirs ...
1731: manor court
Thomas Aldridge and Grace his wife and Jane Langley widow (Grace and Jane are the daughters of William Gyles late of Winslowe Woollendraper deceased) surrendered a close of pasture called Bell Close in Old Mill Feild containing 2 acres, being the lower close of the Bell Closes, the land of Richard Lowndes esq. south and the close called the Upper Bell Close north … To the use of the said Jane Langley.
Jane Langley widow and Thomas Aldridge and Grace his wife [as above] surrendered a close of pasture called Bell Close lying in Old Mill Feild containing 2 acres, the common king's highway adjoining on the west and north … To the use of Thomas Aldridge and Grace his wife for their lives, then to Grace's heirs.
1744: manor court
Thomas Aldridge surrendered a close of pasture ground in Old Mill Field called the Upper Bell Close containing 2 acres, the other Bell Close of Mrs Worrall [= Jane Langley] lying south …To the use of Benjamin Ingram.
1761: will of Jane Harding (formerly Langley) made in 1755
Leaves her land in Winslow to her nephews William and Thomas Aldridge; Thomas predeceased her.
1767: Winslow Enclosure Award
The Bell Closes were not treated as old enclosures but were reallocated as part of the new settlement, presumably with roughly the same boundaries. They were still copyhold at this point. William Aldridge was allocated land elsewhere.
Award no.34: Also to the said Benjamin Ingram all that other or second lot plot piece or parcel of land or ground lying in the Old Mill Field by the said Act intended to be divided and enclosed as aforesaid containing 2a 3r 3p as the same is now admeasured staked and set out and bounded on the north and east by an allotment of the said William Lowndes [9] on the south by an allotment herein awarded to the said William Firth [61] and on the west by the said turnpike road leading from Winslow to Buckingham aforesaid
It appears that this was the area marked 135 on the 1880 OS map (see below), which became the site of 110-186 High Street and the Baptist Tabernacle. One of the footpaths set out by the Award ran from the point which is now between 66 and 68 High Street, leading north-east across the new enclosures to the east (part of Award no.9).
We Do hereby ascertain set out appoint determine and award that there shall at all times for ever hereafter be and remain a Public Foot Path or Way of the Breadth of three feet as the same is now staked and set out from the North East Corner of a certain Close belonging to the said Robert Crockett called the Pickle Close into through and over the Allotments of the said John Budd Benjamin Ingram and William Lowndes to a certain Style at or near the Brook running between the open and common fields of Winslow and Great Horwood aforesaid.
1778: Will of Benjamin Ingram
Also I Give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Wilson and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life (in case she shall happen to Survive and Outlive her present Husband Thomas Wilson and not otherwise) one annuity or yearly Rent Charge of five pounds of lawful Money of Great Britain … Issuing and Payable out of all those my two Closes of Meadow or Pasture Ground situate and being in Winslow aforesaid called Or known by the name of Bell Closes hereinafter by me given and devised unto my said son Benjamin Ingram … Also I give devise and Bequeath unto my son Benjamin Ingram all and every other my Messuages Lands Tenements and Heredit(ament)s whatsoever … subject nevertheless as to my said Closes called Bell Closes in Winslow aforesaid to the said Annuity or yearly Rent Charge by me hereinbefore given thereout or charged thereon to my said daughter Ann Wilson for her life as aforesaid …
1813: sale of Ingram property
Somewhere between 1767 and 1813 the Bell Closes changed from copyhold to freehold.
LOT 3. A FREEHOLD CLOSE of LAND, called the Lower Bell, containing 1A, 1R, 4P, more or less, also in the Occupation of William Ingram, situate close to the Town of Winslow, and adjoining the Turnpike Road to Buckingham, on the right Hand Side, and is adapted either for Building or for Occupation.
LOT 4. A FREEHOLD CLOSE of LAND, called the Upper Bell, and Rick Yard, containing 1A, 2R, 10P, more or less, also in the Occupation of Wm. Ingram, adjoining the last Lot, and equally desirable for either Purpose.
"Lower Bell, Upper Bell, and Rick Yard" were still for sale in 1819. What happened next is unclear as they were freehold and don't appear in the manor court records. The site (no.135 on the map below) was gradually built over between about 1847 and 1880. George Mayne was responsible for at least some of this. It seems that the name Bell Closes then shifted eastwards to the adjacent fields which were part of the Selby-Lowndes estate (part of no.9 in the Enclosure Award, 136 & 137 on the OS map).
A small piece of land on the west edge must have been sold off in 1880 when the Centenary Hall was built at the east end of the Baptist Tabernacle; compare the map below. There was an association between the field and the Baptists after that.
1885: Buckingham Advertiser, 12 Dec
report of election celebrations refers to “a field at the rear of the Centenary Hall lent by Mr. Colgrove”
1889: Buckingham Advertiser, 10 Aug
TEMPERANCE MEETING.- An outdoor temperance meeting was held in Mr. Colgrove’s field on Friday last, August 2nd, and was addressed by Mr. J. R. Weatherill, of Oxford. There was a very fair attendance, but a smart shower of rain brought the meeting to a premature close
1897: sale of Winslow Hall estate
Lot 4. Two desirable enclosures of accommodation grass land, situate immediately in rear of High Street, and known by the name of the Bell Closes. The Fields are numbered 136 and 137 on the Sale Plan, and contain an area of about 8a. 1r. 4p.
No.136 contains about 4A. 2R. 14P., and is let, to Mr. John Varney, on a Yearly (Lady-day) Tenancy, at a Rental of £23 per annum.
No.137 contains about 3A. 2R. 30P., and is let, together with other lands, to Mr F.R. Kitto, on a Yearly (Lady-day) Tenancy, at an apportioned rental of £17 10s. per annum. [Mr Kitto was head of what was then called Winslow High School, and probably used the land for school sports.]
Also a Wayleave for the erection of 2 Telegraph Poles and Stays, let to the General Post Office on a Quarterly Agreement, at an apportioned Rental of 1s. 6d. per Annum.
This lot is Tithe free. The Land Tax amounts, for the present year, to the sum of £1 5s. 4d. The value of the Timber, &c., amounts to £5 18s.
The lot has been marked in pencil "£750", which appears to be the reserve, as it did not sell. It was included in the private sale of Winslow Hall itself to Norman McCorquodale, dated 1 Dec 1897.
Bell Closes on the 1899 OS map. Town End Close is the field to the south.
1910: Valuation
no.47. Bell Close II & Town End Close, High St. Grassland, 6a 1r 34p. [no.199 on the map and the field to the south]
Gross value £16 13s. Rateable value £15 15s.
Occupier: Mrs Eliz. Ann Cripps. Owner: Norman McCorquodale, Winslow Hall. Freehold
Yearly tenancy from 25 March 1907. Rent £19 15s. Land Tax 13s 6d paid by landlord.
Public footpath across property.
2 good grass fields. 199: 3.686a. 200: 2.985a. Less 21 chains of footpath = 6.561a.
Market value £430 + £20 "other things growing on land" = £450. Gross value £480 including £30 for footpath.
no.291. Bell Close, High Street (Tabernacle Field). Agric. land (grass), 4a 2r 10p. [no.198 on the map]
Gross value £14. Rateable value £13 5s.
Occupier: John Varney.
Owner: Norman McCorquodale, Winslow Hall. Freehold
Yearly tenancy from 25 March 1900. Rent £23. Land Tax 14s 7d paid by landlord.
An enclosure of pasture land of good quality. OS 198. 4.358a.
Market value £365 + £5
"other things growing on land" (4 elms = 100 ft) = £370. Gross value £370.
1929: Winslow RDC rating valuation
no.5 W.G. French & Son occupier, N. McCorquodale owner. Chapel Field: 4a 2r 21p.
no.6
W.G. French & Son occupier, N. McCorquodale owner. Town Closes: 5a 2r.
1935: Northampton Mercury, 12 July
The eighth annual Baptist Chapel Field Day was held in the Chapel Field, Winslow on July 6.
This aerial view from the 1930s is looking south-east with Station Road at the front, the Baptist Tabernacle centre right and Bell Closes top and centre
1938: death of Norman McCorquodale
During WW2 Bell Closes were ploughed up, and there was a crop of oats growing there in 1948 which had to be harvested before the creation of the Recreation Ground could proceed.
1941-42: Farm Survey
W.G. French farmed 55 acres in all, most of which was grass but he had 8 acres of crops in Bell Closes (oats, potatoes and mangolds) for harvest in 1941. He had one part-time worker, presumably his son. He kept a bull and 14 cows, and gave his other occupation as milk retailer. There were two tractors. The inspector notes "Farmer is really a dairyman but times hard."
1945: Bucks Herald, 12 Oct
We regret to announce the death of Mr. William George Walter French, who passed away at his home, 102, High Street, on Thursday of last week, at the age of 62 ... Mr. French had been in business in Winslow, his native town, for thirty years. In addition to his shop, he was also a farmer, and the agricultural side of his business has been managed for a long time by his son and partner, Mr. Cyril V. French ... He was an ardent supporter of the Baptist cause, and had been secretary of that church in Winslow for 37 years and treasurer for 30 years.
Demand for a Recreation Ground increased after the end of WW2. Bridge Field, the home of Winslow United FC, was acquired by the County Council with the Redfield estate, and the future of the Sports Club in Park Road/Buckingham Road was in doubt (it closed in 1953).
1947: Parish Council minutes, 6 March
The owner [Brig. McCorquodale] of the two fields [Bell Closes] wanted for a Recreation Ground would agree to sell.
1947: Letter from S.P. Wigley to Brig. McCorquodale, 5 June (Bucks Archives, D/WIG/2/9/1178)
GEO. WIGLEY & SONS,
Surveyors,
WINSLOW.
5TH June 1947
Dear Sir
LAND AT WINSLOW
In accordance with your instructions, and following an Inspection of the land in question with you yesterday, we have made a survey, and now beg to report as follows :-
Original enquiry
We understand that the proposition put up to you was to acquire O.S. Nos, 198 and 199, containing 8,264 acres.
Land to be offered
Following on our inspection with you, it was agreed that, without detriment, you might sell O.S. No.198 and part of O.S.199.
The reserved parts of No.199 were to be as under :-
1. A three corner plot in the S.E. corner (to include the pond) having a perimeter of about 3 chains on the field side, and containing about 29 poles.
2.
A strip of land on the East side, having a width of 15ft from the centre of the stump of the present hedge, and extending for about 6 chains from the point where the hedge cuts the boundary of O.S.197 in a Southerly direction, until it strikes the perimeter mentioned in (a).
This will then give an area as under :-
O.S.198 4,578 with access from High Street
O.S.199 3,686 adjoining new Recreation Ground
8,264 8. 1. 2
Less : three corner plot 29 poles
Strip next 196 22 “ 1.11
7.3.31
Timber
There are two small ash and four elms in the hedge to the North of No.198, and eight elms in the hedge between Nos.198 and 199, the value of which is about £25.
Footpaths
The original footpath across No.199 has been diverted in consequence of the ploughing, and we now find that there are three footpaths, including one to the West of No.199, which should be stopped, if the temporary footpath on the East is going to be continued for the time being.
Tenancies
French occupies No.198 on a yearly tenancy at a rental of £11. 15. 0, and No.199 is in hand.
French originally occupied both these fields, and O.S.No.200, containing in all about 9½ acres, at a rental of £24.
A purchaser should be required to make his own arrangement about possession of French’s land, but we assume you would give possession of that in your occupation on the removal of the crop.
New By-pass
Unless a further alteration has been made, the new By-Pass will cut across the North end of No.199, and may also affect a small part of No.198.
Unless there is an understanding as regards access to the fields from this new road, it will mean sterilizing all the land North of Winslow Hall. Either therefore entrances should be opened into these fields, or an arrangement subsequently made for a service road with access to the By-Pass. This new road will almost certainly be 80ft wide, and might be 100ft wide.
Outgoings
We are going to assume that, not only is the land Freehold, but that it is free from Land Tax, which latter could only be a small amount.
Value
The value of land to-day must bear some relationship to the interest now obtainable on Government Stocks.
Although access is badly restricted to the two fields, you personally could give all the access necessary along the Piccadilly back road, and across the “Station field”. This means that they have a very high accommodation value, but under the New Town Planning Scheme of the Government, it is doubtful what you will be able to claim in value as possible building or potential building land.
From a pure investment point of view many still regard land as one of a stirling character, and value must be reflected in this general opinion.
We consider that the Freehold, subject to the tenancies, and including timber, to be NINE HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS value, (£950).
Yours faithfully,
GEO. WIGLEY & SONS,
Surveyors,
WINSLOW.
Brig.N.McCorquodale,
Winslow.
P.S.
By-Pass
Since preparing this report, we have been in Aylesbury to find out from the County Authorities exactly what are their present propositions as regards the By-Pass.
We were informed that, inasmuch as the High Street in Winslow was going to be widened, the prospect of the By-Pass being constructed within the next five or six years was very remote, but the ultimate intention was to construct along the Northern side of Nos.198, 199, 196 and 195, cutting across the zigzag corner of the Little Horwood Road and across the fields belonging to Lady Cruise, to join up with the newly constructed road at Shipton.
1947: Parish Council minutes, 12 June
Brig. McCorquodale was prepared to sell the two fields for £950.
1947: Letter from S.P. Wigley to M.A. Dawson, 17 July
Brig. McCorquodale wants a decision within two months so he can plan next year's cropping.
1948: Letter from District Valuer, 13 Jan (Bucks Archives, D/WIG/2/9/1178)
£750 + £25 for the timber represents present value of the fields.
1948: Letter from S.P. Wigley to Parish Council, 13 Jan (Bucks Archives, D/WIG/2/9/1178)
13th January 1948
Dear Mr Dawson
WINSLOW RECREATION GROUND
O.S.No.198 & part 199
I have given careful consideration to your letter of the 10th and have looked very carefully into the effect of the Town & Country Planning Act of 1947 on the value of the property.
I must first of all correct your heading by reminding you that it was only part of No. 199 which it was proposed to sell.
At present, the question of a Compulsory acquisition is not under contemplation, whereas the Town and Country Planning Act only deals with such applications, and the District Valuer would have to deal with it on a compulsory acquisition basis.
Under the Town & Country Planning Act, the basis of value is the restricted value, commonly known as the existing use value.
If the Parish Council acquire the land compulsorily, then we have to bear in mind that the appointed day referred to in the Act has not yet been fixed, although I understand this will probably be the 1st April.
You will bear in mind that the Government has set aside a fund of £300,000,000 to pay compensation to owners. What the Act in fact does is to sterilise land including buildings to existing user, and to take away from the owners of the land that part of the value of their land which is attributable to the possibility of development, and to pay them compensation in respect of the consequent depreciation in the value of that land, and then to make a charge to a proposed developer in respect of development or any changed user of his land.
If I am to advise Brig. McCorquodale on the value of the land in its present use, and leave out all question of development, then I should have to admit that £750 with possibly £25 for timber, did actually represent its present value.
You will bear in mind that part of the land is owner-occupied, while part is in the occupation of French as tenant.
The question now arises whether I can or should make any use of your letter by writing to Brig. McCorquodale, or whether you would prefer to write us a formal letter on behalf of the Parish Council which I could put before him with my views.
I think this latter course might be preferable.
Yours faithfully, [no signature on carbon copy]
M.A.Dawson Esq.,
Clerk to the Parish Council,
Winslow.
1948: Letter from S.P. Wigley to Brig. McCorquodale, 20 Jan
Someone at the Parish Council meeting might propose compulsory purchase.
1948: Letter from Brig. McCorquodale to Parish Council, 25 Jan
Prepared to accept £750.
1948: Parish Council minutes, 4 Feb
Resolved that there was an urgent need for a Recreation Ground. [This was a requirement for an application to the Ministry of Education for a grant under under the Physical & Recreational Training Act 1937.]
1948: Report of Parish Council clerk, 25 Aug
Ministry of Health approves proposals in principle (23 Aug).
Parish Meeting to be held on 3 Sep.
Architect has allowed for “international” size football pitch with future space for tennis courts and bowling green, but not a “secondary” football pitch.
WUFC have two teams and will want to play every Saturday. Better for schoolboys to use a smaller pitch on Saturday mornings.
C.V. French is prepared to give up tenancy after harvesting his present crop, for £23 14s compensation. He could have made things awkward under the Agriculture Act.
En Tout Cas estimate of £842 10s for laying out the side is recommended by architect.
| Total costs: | £ |
s |
d |
| Acquisition of land | 750 |
0 |
0 |
| General preparation of site and cricket table | 842 |
10 |
0 |
| Compensation to tenant | 23 |
14 |
0 |
| Estimated professional expenses | 80 |
0 |
0 |
----------------- |
|||
£1696 |
4 |
0 |
|
Provisional application submitted under Physical Training and Recreation Act, expecting 50% grant = £850.
Remaining £850 would have to come from public subscription (£300), money in hand from the sale of the fire engine (£150) and a loan from Public Works Loan Board at 2.75% interest which would be less than a penny rate (£400).
Cricket and Football Clubs should set about raising money by public subscription.
1948: Parish Meeting minutes, 3 Sep
On the proposal of Mr Hall seconded by Mr Rolfe it was unanimously resolved that the Parish Council should proceed with their proposals for the acquisition and lay-out of a Public Recreation Ground and if the funds required could not be raised by public subscription that the Parish Council be authorised to take the necessary steps to obtain a loan to be charged upon the rates.
1948: Constitution of Recreation Ground Management Committee adopted at Parish Council Meeting, 15 Oct
Committee to consist of Chairman of Parish Council (who shall be Chairman of Committee), 4 members or officials of Council, 1 representative each of Local Education Authority, Winslow United FC, Winslow Cricket Club.
Responsible for maintenance, protection from damage by public, “to formulate terms upon which the ground shall be used by sports organisations”, “to formulate any necessary regulations for use by the Public”; to advise Council on financial details and technical matters of maintenance.
In financial matters, powers restricted to making recommendations to Council.
Power to enter into contracts with organisations desiring to use the ground[,] with any person or persons for carrying out maintenance works on the ground and for letting of any future grazing rights.
Power to raise funds by public subscription.
Power to co-opt persons to meetings in an advisory capacity.
1948: Letter from Ministry of Health to Parish Council, 7 Dec
Ministry of Education (2 Dec) has provisionally offered grant of £485 towards £810 for purchase of site [confirmed according to letter of 2 March 1949] + £365 towards £610 for lay-out of site.
1948: Buckingham Advertiser, 18 Dec
Winslow Public Recreation Ground
“ADMIRABLE SITE” SECURED
We have received the following letter from the Chairman of the Winslow Recreation Ground Committee :-
23, Avenue Road,
Winslow, Bucks.
8th December, 1948.
Dear Sir,- I should be grateful if you could find space in your columns for publication of this letter, which is intended to inaugurate an appeal to the generosity of the people of Winslow in connection with a project of great interest to them and of benefit to the township.
For many years now there has been much dissatisfaction and even anxiety in Winslow because it possessed no public recreation ground. The local football and cricket clubs have each year had to make arrangements with various landowners and have never been sure that they will have somewhere to play the next year. There has never been a really suitable ground for school children to play organized games.
The parish has at last managed to secure an admirable site of over six acres in the centre of Winslow and adjacent to other public premises so as to provide a compact amenity for the township. The site is at present being laid out by a firm of contractors and all those concerned are confident that the result will rank with the finest cricket and football fields in the district. The space available will also allow of provision for other sports such as hockey and, perhaps in the future, public tennis courts.
Up to recently the matter has been in the hands of the Parish Council, but a Management Committee has been formed and has been entrusted with practically the whole of the detailed arrangements and responsibilities for the project. This committee, of which I am Chairman, consists not only of members of the Parish Council but representatives from the Winslow United Football Club, the Winslow Cricket Club and the Winslow Church of England School.
Substantial Funds
The scheme I have outlined will of course require substantial funds and I feel confident that the people of Winslow will recognize what a great amenity is being provided.
Following an expression which was recently made at a public meeting, the management are making a first appeal to all the sportsmen and ex-sportsmen in Winslow to come forward and make a donation to any of the organizations represented by the Management Committee. In order that everyone may know the details of the scheme in connection with which we appeal for funds, I hope to be able to trespass upon your kindness in publishing the outline I have given.
Yours faithfully,
(Signed) A. COX.
1949: Letter from Clerk of Parish Council to Col. Selby-Lowndes, 3 Jan
Management Committee has been properly constituted and appointed. Consists of:
- Chairman (A. Cox)
- T.R. Gibbard, A.E. Garlike & H.R. Langley for Council
- L. Pottier for WUFC
- J. Cubbage for Winslow Cricket Club
- J. Hall or Mr Butcher for Winslow C of E school
- M.A. Dawson the Clerk
Council will not need to borrow more than £400 (¾d rate) which must be approved by Parish Meeting.
Subscription list and balance sheet will be published.
Provision for children. The scheme must primarily be for adult recreation because otherwise it cannot, under the Physical Training and Recreation Act 1937, qualify for any government grant. Full facilities for children of school age to play organised games will be given.
WUFC will charge for admission. Cricket Club will not be able to charge because of public footpath. What they will have to pay for the ground has not yet been worked out.
I hope it will be possible to provide some stand or seating on the West side and admission to that enclosure could then be on payment.
Total area is 8¼ acres. 1½ acres will be taken if by-pass ever comes. Capital outlay is confined to remaining 6¾ acres. £750 is price put on the land by District Valuer under Town & Country Planning Act 1947, which landowner accepted without negotiation in view of the intended use although agricultural value was higher.
£400 remains from sale of fire engine and equipment. £250 will be used for change to electric street lighting. £150 therefore available.
Present donations:
£ |
s |
d |
|
| Winslow United Football Club | 25 |
0 |
0 |
| Winslow School Association | 20 |
0 |
0 |
| Winslow Peace Committee | 15 |
13 |
11 |
| Winslow Civil Defence Workers | 9 |
0 |
0 |
| Dance | 3 |
2 |
3 |
----------------- |
|||
£72 |
16 |
2 |
|
Clerk will donate (without disclosure) 2 years salary [£30].
1949: Buckingham Advertiser, 15 Jan
Winslow Public Recreation Ground
APPEAL TO SPORTSMEN
THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE appeal to all Sportsmen and ex-Sportsmen of Winslow and District to make their donation towards the cost of the new Recreation Ground to any of the following:-
The Hon. Treasurer, Winslow Cricket Club, 11, The Square, Winslow.
The Hon. Treasurer, Winslow United Football Club, Garage Flat, Horn Street, Winslow.
or direct to:- Lloyds Bank Ltd., to the Recreation Ground Account, Winslow Parish Council.
1949: Parish Council minutes, 10 March
Ministry of Education confirmed total grant of £1020 for Recreation Ground.
Resolved that a house to house collection was desirable.
1949: Conveyance, 25 March
Winslow Hall Estates Company and others to Winslow Parish Council
Sale of estate in fee simple for £750.
Two closes numbered 198 and part of 199 on Ordnance Survey map near High Street known as “Bell Closes”, delineated on map in red.
Reserving unto the vendors a strip of land on east side of 199 having width of 15 feet from centre of hedge, extending 6 chains from point where hedge cuts the boundary of Enclosure 197 + triangular piece of land including the pond at S.E. corner of 199 having a perimeter of 3 chains on N.W. side. Coloured yellow on plan.
198 Bell Close otherwise Tabernacle Field Arable 4.578 acres
199 Bell Close Pasture 3.686 acres, of which 0.290 reserved
1949: Parish Council minutes, 28 April
Cricket Club should be permitted to construct a concrete practice wicket subject to Management Committee’s approval of site and details.
1949: Buckingham Advertiser, 28 May
Winslow Parish Council heard that the Recreation Ground Fund still needed £300.
6 June: British Legion grand fete to be held in aid of the Recreation Ground Fund.
1949: Buckingham Advertiser, 23 July
6 Aug: proceeds of Winslow Horse Show & Gymkhana to go to the Public Recreation Ground Fund
1949: Buckingham Advertiser, 6 Aug
On 8 Aug Winslow United training commences at the Recreation Ground
1949: Bucks Herald, 8 Oct
On 1 Oct: formal opening of Recreation Ground by Mr A. Cox, Parish Council chairman. “A large crowd saw Buckingham beat Winslow 2-1”. Great Horwood Band played.
1949: Winslow Public Recreation Ground. Regulations for Management and Use (?Nov/Dec) include:
Winslow CC shall have exclusive use of cricket field April-September. Fee of 2/6 per match commencing in 1950 season. No fee for practice matches. To relinquish ground on request for any other approved organisation Mon-Fri, 3 weekday evenings, any Saturday when not required. Not to be used for Sunday cricket unless approved by a Parish meeting.
WUFC shall be granted a tenancy of whole football field August to May each year subject to:
Rent of 5/- per match (not practice games), 3/- per match for Minors.
WUFC entitled to charge for admission. On 1 Jan 1950 and at close of every season they shall supply MC with account of gate moneys.
On 1 Jan and at end of each season MC shall have power to vary rent in accordance with gate receipts after allowing expenses.
Secondary football pitch to be relinquished for organised football or hockey games by schoolchildren every weekday except Saturday afternoons, so Winslow School shall have access to the pitch on demand.
1950: Parish Meeting 26 Jan reported in Buckingham Advertiser 28 Jan
A resolution in favour of Sunday cricket being allowed on the new playing fields was carried with a few dissentients. By-law required approval by specially convened Parish Meeting.
Statement of Final Cost (undated)
£ |
s |
d |
|
| Purchase money | 750 |
0 |
0 |
| Interest less tax | 8 |
5 |
0 |
| En Tout Cas Co. Ltd | 820 |
10 |
0 |
| C.V. French | 23 |
14 |
0 |
| Bucks Ag Exec Committee for ditching | 21 |
0 |
0 |
| S.W. Turner for hedgecutting | 21 |
7 |
6 |
| Hillier & Sons printing | 2 |
14 |
0 |
| J.S. Bradford wire for fencing | 1 |
10 |
0 |
| Geo. Wigley & Sons gate & posts | 4 |
10 |
0 |
| James H. Cox ARIBA professional expenses | 10 |
0 |
0 |
| Philip Wood & Dawson solicitors prof. charges & stamp duties | 41 |
5 |
6 |
----------------- |
|||
£1704 |
16 |
0 |
|
No final statement of income has been located, but it seems that the cost was met by government grant (£1,050), money left from the sale of the fire engine (£150), and voluntary contributions, as the Parish Council did not apply for a loan.
The layout of the site was somewhat changed by the creation of Elmfields Gate in the 1960s. See below for how it now appears on Google Maps.
See also: