41 Local History

Local History

New Milton Rugby Club

Glendalyn House, Fernhill Lane 2015. New Milton has many sporting facilities of which to be proud. Tennis, bowling, cricket and football are all played to a very high standard in our parish. However, we can be particularly proud of our rugby club which will be celebrating its centenary in 2024. In the immediate aftermath of World War One and the Spanish influenza epidemic there was a great desire to return to a peaceful life. On 26th September 1920 when the Recreation Ground was unveiled and handed over to the people of New Milton, the Reverend John Edward Kelsall, the driving force behind the creation of ‘The Rec’ said that he hoped that when people were ‘out of health, despondent or ill-humoured’ they would be ‘re-created’ by sport on the ground. New Milton was rapidly developing with houses being built and many people moving into the area. A number of the new arrivals were ex-servicemen or were middle class families whose sons had attended rugby playing public schools.

The New Milton Advertiser of 10th May 1947 reported on the first rugby club dinner after World War 2. Some of the original members of the club are recorded as stating that the first game took place in 1924 when a New Milton rugby club team took on a BBC team. The match was played on the Recreation Ground and was described as a ‘real how-do-youdo affair’ .

The first president of New Milton Rugby Club was Major Alfred Trestrail DSO. He was a local solicitor, parliamentary candidate, staunch supporter of the local British Legion and the town clerk of New Milton Urban District Council from 1926 to 1932. He was also a founder member of the Grove Tennis Club, now Hale Gardens, as well as on the committee of New Milton football, bowling and cricket clubs.

The second President, Wilfred Hasseldine, was a great supporter of the club. He was a master builder who had built Broadcasting House in 1931 and soon after moved to New Milton where he purchased Glendalyn house on Fernhill Road at the junction with Barrs Avenue. Glendalyn had a large field at the back of the property which Mr Hasseldine allowed the rugby club to use free of charge from December 1931 through to his death in 1963. This became the first true ‘home’ for the club. There were no changing facilities at the ground. Home and away players had to either change in the Public Hall at the Recreation Ground or later at the Milton Hotel and then drive to the ground. Until 1938 the Club only played in the Christmas and Easter

Wilfred Hasseldine. Club president and owner of Glendalyn.

university and school holidays, successfully attracting players from all over the New Forest area as can be seen from the December 1934 to January 1935 results when the New Milton team played six matches winning five. Some New Milton players went on to play at county and international level including J.S.R. Reeves who played on the wing for England and the British Lions and Drummond St Clair Ford who was capped five times for Scotland.

In November 1937 the club had problems in raising a team for the forthcoming Christmas fixtures so merged temporarily with Bournemouth Sports Club to become known as New Forest Wanderers but only four matches are recorded as played. In September 1938 a meeting took place in the New Milton Hotel where the club was reformed as New Milton and District Rugby Club to play for a full season with Mr Hasseldine as president and the home ground at Glendalyn. On 5th of September 1939 Ashley Secondary School opened. This was the first purpose-built school in New Milton that had dedicated playing fields. After World War Two it became the first school in the area to play rugby. The school produced some outstanding players who went on to play for New Milton.

It is believed that six pre-war members of New Milton Rugby club lost their lives in World War two including Drummond St Clair Ford who was killed whilst commanding a submarine in the Mediterranean. Others included Edward ‘Paddy’ Gunter who, along with his brother had played for the town in the 1930s. Paddy was killed whilst serving as a fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain. The Club closed in 1942 and restarted in 1946. One of the challenges to be resolved was that of changing facilities. The club was able to hire a room at the British Legion Hall alongside the Recreation Ground. For £1 a match, the club were offered the use of the smaller hall, the kitchen and a tiled washroom where portable baths could be used. Three tin baths were acquired and these became the only postmatch washing facilities for the next fifteen years. Post war the club went from strength to strength. The 1949–1950 season saw the team notch up twenty-five wins, three defeats and three draws. This included defeating the Bournemouth 1st XV. In 1963 Mr Hasseldine died and his house and grounds were sold. The Club needed to find a new home. They were allowed to use the hut off of old Milton road that was the HQ of the Boys Club. This provided changing rooms, showers and a place for after match teas. The club was able to rent two rugby pitches at Ashley from Lymington Borough Council. In 1971 the old Ashley Pavilion was extended and renovated to become the clubs permanent home bringing together the pitch, changing facilities and bar all to one location for the first time!

This is brief overview of the history of rugby in New Milton and is based on “A Rugby Club. The First Fifty Years Of New Milton Rugby 1924-1973” a book recently published and written by three former players Malcolm Mecklenburgh, Nick Mussert and Philip Hutton. The book is available from Malcolm, 01425 614404, price £15.00 should you wish to read more. Nick Saunders Nick Saunders is a local historian who would be pleased to hear from any reader who has information relating to local history. In addition he would be interested to see any postcards or photographs of our district. Tel: 01425 618549

Milton Hotel c 1920s used for team meetings and as a changing room.