Five Decades of the Oxshott Bridge Club

          The Village Centre is Oxshott’s tribute to the men and women who were killed in World War II. In 1944 a meeting of residents was held to establish the Oxshott Trust Fund to be used for the funding of a Village Centre “for the promotion of social, recreational and cultural activities”. The Crown Commissioners gave an option for a lease on the Holtwood Road site.

            Post-war difficulties meant that it was only in 1959 when Remy Ades took over the Chairmanship that there was a major campaign of fund-raising activity and work began. At no time was the local authority involved. The centre was opened in 1962.

            A number of Clubs were started, many of which survive. Ballroom dancing and Astronomy are no longer with us. The Astronomy group was led by Mr. Noon who had a 10” telescope in his garden in Pond Piece, and the famous television personality Patrick Moore was amongst many interesting speakers.

            The Bridge Club was started in 1962 by Richard and Kate Tilling and Peggy Gentry, and it was a great success from the start. It began playing only Rubber Bridge but soon Tony Ingram started Duplicate Bridge which was new to nearly everybody. There were up to 17 Tables, and a long waiting list of people wishing to join. It is good to see the Bridge Club still thriving.

Our picture shows some of the current Members of the Oxshott Bridge Club enjoying some food and wine at the Club Christmas party in December 2010. Soon the assembled company settled down for a fun seesion of relaxed Bridge to celebrate the Festive Season.

        Each Club or Society sends a representative to sit on the Village Centre Management Committee, which includes the three Legal Trustees. The Committee meets quarterly. There is a busy schedule of Clubs and Societies that meet at the Village Hall. Here is the latest schedule:-

            The Oxshott Bridge Club meets for Rubber Bridge on Monday afternoons at 1.30 p.m. and for Duplicate Bridge on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 p.m. There are parking places for 96 cars and the busier Duplicate Session is held in the Large Hall. Under the aegis of the current Committee – led by Chairman Gail Norman – the Oxshott Bridge Club works hard to create a friendly and easy environment where Members can have a challenging but enjoyable game of Bridge. The evening session contains a short break when tea, coffee or a soft drink are supplied along with biscuits.

This year's Annual General Meeting allowed us to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Oxshott Bidge Club and Chairman Gail Norman and the Committee decided to mark the occasion in style with a fabulous Birthday Cake and a free glass of wine for all the Members. It was a merry evening. Many congratulations to all the Members of the Oxshott Bridge Club on achieving their 50th anniversary. Now on to the next 50 years.....!!

So it was in 1962 that the Oxshott Bridge Club started. Now here are a few reminders of what life was like in Britain in 1962:-

1) 1962: World relief as Cuban missile crisis ends