Archived Extracts

Although in use since last summer, the official opening ceremonies of the Huthwaite C.W.S. Factory Sports Ground on Sutton Road took place on Saturday in fine weather and under most auspicious circumstances, and was marked by several distinctive features.
  There was a large attendance at the opening. The pavilion and grounds looked bright and fresh and aroused a feeling of personal pride in the numerous members and operatives and the Factory Sports Association who were present, while such a layout is bound to add to the prestige of the whole district. Huthwaite Prize Band provided a splash of scarlet, while cricket flannels and other evidence of summer were prominent.

  Mr. J.A. Tomlinson was the chairman, and at the outset Mr. A. Judd (Nottingham) a C.W.S. director, was presented by Mr. A. Walton (Sutton), the architect of the pavilion, with a golden key, with which he unlocked the building.
  Mr. J. Tomlinson (manager of the C.W.S. factory) offered a cordial welcome to all the visitors. He said it was several years ago since they first had a vision of the sports field in their minds' eye, and the work had only been accomplished by the perseverance and work of those who had seen the scheme through. He was glad, in this connection, that Mr. France was with them, for he it was along with Mr. W. Bradshaw (who was on his way to Australia) - to whom thanks were mainly due, for setting the ball rolling and continuing to keep it rolling until the work was complete.
  "That we are actually to-day in possession of this delightful stretch of green," observed Mr. Tomlinson, "we have, of course, to thank our Directors, who, when they saw the need, were anxious and willing to help us in every way possible. We are indebted to them for their interest in us, which is typical of the interest they take in all their employees. We now have ample facility for sport and recreation, under ideal conditions, and I hope we shall all make use of the facilities afforded and thereby strive to make ourselves as fit as possible for the sterner game across the way.

  "I hope we shall have the reputation of always 'playing the game' on the ground, if we can play it here we can play it anywhere, and that after all, in my opinion, is what should be our aim in all our activities, at work and play. We are very glad to welcome Mr. Judd to-day, representing the Board of Directors and thank him for so readily giving up his afternoon's leisure, to serve us on this occasion.
  "It is with pleasure, too, we welcome Mrs. Larwood, who was for a number of years an employee at our works, and is now the co-partner of that most dreaded (by the Australians) and brilliant bowler, Harold Larwood, whom the old country has mainly to thank that we are again in possession of the Ashes. We were hopeful at one time that he too would be with us, but unfortunately he is unable to be present. However, we offer in our congratulations on his wonderful performance during the series of Tests just played, and hope he will repeat the good work when next Messrs. Woodful and Bradman visit us, if ever."
  The Chairman extended a welcome to Mr. and Mrs. Mart, of Manchester, mentioning that Mr. Mart gave considerable help in the forming of the Huthwaite C.W.S. Sports Association. He also welcomed Mr. Isherwood, of Derby, who was responsible for the lay-out of the ground, Mr. Ovenden, of London, and Mr. and Mrs. H. France, and passed on greetings from Mr. Arnold (Director) and Mr. Lancaster, who were unavoidably absent.

  Mr. H. France (former manager) said it was a very generous action of the Board of Directors to purchase the land and lay it out in such a way for the various sports. No expression of thanks in words was sufficient, and the only way to show their appreciation was to use the ground well and consistently and see to its upkeep. That was the kind of repayment that would give the donors most pleasure. Huthwaite could do that and he believed they would, and as their former manager he asked them to show that the ground was producing a rich harvest of happy healthy pleasure, and a more binding comradeship, not on the ground alone, but also in the factory in which they worked.
  Mr. Judd (director) endorsed all Mr. Tomlinson had said, and mentioned that in a few weeks time the competition between the various Midland fire brigades would be held on the new ground. Five or six years ago, he added, the Wholesale Board decided to provide certain funds for playing fields wherever they seemed to be justified. From that time they had equipped 16 grounds up and down the country. It was their policy to purchase the ground, lay it out, and then leave if for the employees to maintain it themselves. The ground would help them to know each other better, and he ventured to say that they would work better.

  They ought to be congratulated on having a ground with a fairly good outlook. From one angle they had had a reminder about that particular corner of Notts. He had followed cricket since he was quite a lad, and he could never remember a time when there was not someone from that district playing for Notts. One of the phrases very prevalent on the "popular side" when they wanted to buck a player up was to shout "Give him a Suttoner."
  They were in the heart of a big sporting district, and the speaker hoped the sports played on the ground would be in the spirit of that particular district and that the ground would be well used and bring them many hours of enjoyment. He had very great pleasure in declaring the ground open for the use of the Huthwaite factor employees.
  Mr. Judd then unfurled the banner amid applause, and said he would like to remark that the flag represented the symbol of international co-operation, and had ben designed by the son of Mr. Mart.
  Mr. T.H. Mart (Manchester), general secretary of the C.W.S. Sports Association, hoped that the sun shining would be a happy augury in the working of the sports ground at Huthwaite. He had never known the time when there was such a spirit of generosity like they found to-day, and the directors, in finding that ground, had a special object in view. It was not that they would get more work out of the employees, but create a happy friendship and the link of brotherhood among all classes and all their employees, and so produce better employees and citizens in every respect.

  Mr. E. Cooke, on behalf of the Factory Sports Association, thanked Mr. Judd for his attendance and expressed appreciation to the directors for their magnificent gift for recreation.
  Mr. Judd paid a tribute to those who had laid out the ground, and Mr. Mart stated that the C.W.S. Sports Association had new 16 fully-equipped grounds in addition to a large number of fields which had been rented at Manchester. Altogether they had close upon 30,000 employees in Manchester paying a voluntary levy of one penny towards their various sports organisations, which had been eminently successful.
  After the speeches, cricket bowls and tennis were in full swing until tea time, when a large number of visitors and members of the Sports Association sat down to tea in the Factory dining hall, where selections were played by the C.W.S. Melody Aces Orchestra, directed by Mr. G. Truscott. The waitresses were Misses Jones, Radford, Ball, Cosford, Wright, Clarke, Chappell and Hardy and they were thanked on the proposition of Mr. Mart, seconded by Mr. Ovenden.
  In the evening a sports programme for employees was gone through, although a change in the weather was a drawback to the proceedings. it is noteworthy that in the "over 40" flat race of 60 yards the second place was gained by Mr. J. Bown (Sutton), who is 64 years of age. The officials were as follow:- Judges, Messrs. H. France and J.A. Tomlinson; C.W.S. Sports Association hon. sec., Mr. T.C. Hancock; sports hon. sec., Mr. A.R. Dallison; assistants, Messrs. W.W. Dove and C. Hassall; starter, Mr. W.W. Dove (A.A.A.); stewards, Messrs. W. Leach, S.T. Murden, G. Beastall, G. Davis and J. Gower. Members of the New Hucknall Ambulance Division on duty were Corps Officer Murfin, Sergeant Blow and Private Marshall.

  60 yards Girls' flat race. -1, W. Naylor; 2, D. Newman.
  Youths' 120 yards apple race. -1, A. Lee; 2, W. Keeton.
  60 yards handicap (men over 40). -1, J. Wood; 2, J. Bown.
  Girls' egg and spoon race. -1, D. Hague; 2, S.M. Hargreaves.
  80 yards handicap (men 22 to 40 years):- 1, J. Wilkinson; 2, H. Heath.
  Men's sack race. -1, E. Swain; 2, W. Marshall.
  Girls' sack race. -1, A. Hawksley; 2, P. Newman.
  Men's potato race. 1, W. Marshall; 2, E. Swain.
  Girls' potato race. -1 S. Hague; 2, S.M. Hargreaves.
  Girls' slow cycle race. -1, L. Wilkinson; 2, W. Naylor.
  Men's three-legged race. -1, S. Marshall and S. Dykes; 2, H. Heath and S. Hargreaves.
  Girls' three-legged race. -1, R. Wildsmith and K. Asher; 2, P. Milne and E. Rawson.
  Prizes were distributed by Mr. H. France.