The First Tour
A successful Easter Tour was
organised to the West Country in 1951. Transport was by car for the eighteen
or so tourists with as many as seven people per vehicle. We beat Wiveliscombe
12-9 and drew with Trowbridge 3-3. However, at the AGM it was found that the
tour had run at a loss and that alongside other travelling expenses, repairs
to the pavilion and a fall in the income from sweepstakes, a financial boost
was again needed. Surprisingly, a proposal to increase subscriptions and
introduce a match levy of a shilling per player for each home match was
rejected
On the playing side the First
XV had won sixteen games out of thirty-three and the Seconds thirteen out of
twenty-four A Third XV existed but was always struggling to keep going. The
fixture list for the coming season was impressive including Burton-on-Trent,
Chesterfield, Stourbridge, Loughborough College and Newbold-on-Avon, although
the latter fixture did not meet with everybodys approval.
The Silver Jubilee
The Silver Jubilee was
celebrated with a Dinner and Dance at the Good Companions public house. Eric
Cuttriss received yet another presentation for being a founder member and
still playing after twenty-five years. The season culminated with a supper
held at the Unionist Club where Jim Hartley presented a cup to be awarded
annually for meritorious service. Frank Bragg was the first recipient for his
efforts as Match Secretary. Eric Cartwright received an inscribed ashtray as
a memento of his twenty-one years as a playing member.
Combined Old Boys
In 1953 we received an
invitation from Barry Bowker of Camp Hill Old Edwardians to help form a
Combined Birmingham Old Boys side along with Old Dixonians and Old
Edwardians. Bob Broad was chosen as our first representative on the COBs
committee. Joe Mason, Ken Pipe and Harry White were selected to play in the
early sides.