RSA R2 NAG Newsletters 1954-1968

REES SCOTT ARCHIVE

National Association of Groundsmen South East Region Newsletters 1954-1968

RSA: R2 – March 2018

National Association of Groundsmen South East Region Newsletters 1954-1968

REES SCOTT ARCHIVE PUBLICATION RSA: R2

First published in Great Britain in 2018 by the Rees Scott Archive 24 Merlins Avenue Haverfordwest Pembrokeshire SA61 1JS

Text Narrative: Copyright Š Barry Rees / Rees Scott Archive The rights of Barry Rees and the Rees Scott Archive to be identified as the Authors of this Work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) License. To view a copy of the license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/legalcode Image Text: Copyright remains with original authors All rights reserved. No part of the text may be repoduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the Publisher in writing.

The Rees Scott Archive is the repository for the archive of David Alan Rees and Eileen Ivy Scott and their ancestors. The ongoing objective of the Archive is to undertake family history research into these families and share that research, and the contents of the Rees Scott Archive, with direct family members and those of the general public who may be related to persons in the Rees Scott Family Tree.

Rees Scott Archive publications are published in three series: Red Series: Transcriptions / Edits of Diaries or Letters Blue Series: Individual Biographies of Individuals / Families Green Series: Catalogues of Documents

For any queries relating to this publication or the Rees Scott Archive please e-mail: barry@reesscottarchive.org.uk

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Contents

Page

Introduction

4

Abstract of Newsletters

5

Names mentioned in the Newsletters

9

Newsletters: 1:

The South Easterner – March 1954

11

2:

Newsletter - January 1966

13

3:

Newsletter - February 1966

15

4:

Newsletter – March / April 1966

19

5:

Newsletter - May 1966

23

6:

Newsletter - July 1966

27

7:

Newsletter - September 1966

31

8:

Newsletter - November 1966

33

9:

Newsletter - February 1967

42

10: Newsletter - May 1967

44

11: Newsletter - October 1967

48

12: Newsletter - February 1968

53

Annex A: Rees Scott Archive Reference Structure

59

3

Introduction David Alan Rees (1932-2009), known to all as Dai Rees, spent most of his working life as a Groundsman. For the majority of this time he worked at the BP Sports Ground in Kangley Bridge Road, Lower Sydenham, London, where he became the Head Groundsman.

Dai became an active member of the professional body that represented Groundsmen, the National Association of Groundsmen (NAG) which was subsequently renamed the Institute of Groundsmanship (IOG).

He was a member of the South-East Region / South-East London Region and held the office as Treasurer for a time for these regions. He also, at various times, held most of the National Officer positions as well as taking on the role of Exhibition Manager for the IOG’s annual trade show. His final role within the IOG was as Managing Director of Adam Publishing, the company that produced the IOG’s prestigious journal, The Groundsman.

Dai wrote a series of articles and reports for inclusion in the newsletters written for NAG / IOG. Whilst part of NAG the newsletter were for the South-East Region, once it became the IOG the newsletter was for the South-East London Region. These have been published by the Rees Scott Archive.1 The Rees Scott Archive also holds several copies of complete Newsletters2.

This publication reproduces the NAG Newsletters that relate to the period 1954 to 19683. A second publication, RSA R3, reproduces the IOG Newsletters for the period1974 – 19764.

Barry Rees March 2018

1

RSA R1 - Dai Rees: Articles for NAG / IOG 1966-1969 Series RSA-OCC-0004. The complete run of newsletters are numbered RSA-OCC-0004-1 to RSA-OCC-0004-20 3 Series RSA-OCC-0004. The NAG newsletters are numbered RSA-OCC-0004-1 to RSA-OCC-0004-12 4 Series RSA-OCC-0004. The IOG newsletters are numbered RSA-OCC-0004-13 to RSA-OCC-0004-20 2

4

Abstracts of Newsletters No. Date 1 March 1954 (Incomplete – 2 Pages)

2

January 1966 (2 Pages)

3

February 1966 (4 Pages)

4

March / April 1966 (4 Pages)

Contents of Newsletter “The South Easterner” No 1.

• Introduction • Report on lectures, held on 26th January 1954, by George Hunt ‘Mistaken Ideas in the Practice of Aeration’/ Norman Coles, introducing, Mr Woodward of Shanks’ Mower Service ‘Possible Troubles with 2-Stroke Engines’ • Report on Dance held on 2nd February 1954 • Report on lecture, held on 16th February, by Mr J S Stower, Director of British Overhead Irrigation Ltd ‘Artificial Watering’ • Report on visit to Ransome’s mowers in Ipswich, on 23rd February 1954. (It appears that there is at least one missing page from the newsletter, as the report is cut off mid-sentence).

NAG – South East Region Newsletter • Hon Secretary’s Report – H H Baker • Social Secretary’s Report – A E T (Jimmy) Green, including a social on 19th October 1965; details of the Children’s Party Draw; advance notice of a social in February; the Annual Dinner and Dance on 22nd March 1966; Ransomes film show on 1st February and the Children’s party on 4th January • Report on books in the Region Library, that can be borrowed from Frank Stronghill on lecture nights • Situations Vacant advert for Forbanks Sportsground in Beckenham • Producers Note – David Elsdon NAG – South East Region Newsletter • Hon Secretary’s Report – H H Baker • Hon Treasurer’s Report – D A Rees • Report from D R Elsdon on the Children’s Party and the establishment of an ‘Institute of Turfculture’ which would operate in competition with NAG. • Social Secretary’s Report – A E T (Jimmy) Green, including a report on the Children’s Party; advance notice of the Annual Dinner and Dance on 22nd March 1966 and a Social and Dance on 22nd February • New Social Secretary – Jim Edmeads – thanking Jimmy Green for all his previous hard work NAG – South East Region Newsletter • Hon Secretary’s Report – Harold Baker • Social Secretary’s Report – Jim Edmeads, including a report on the Annual Dinner and Dance on 22nd March 1966; the apologies of Dai Rees for missing the Dinner & Dance due to a slipped disc – and a spell in hospital to ‘stretched’; the news that Bert Lock had been involved in a bad car accident; report on the Social and Dance held on 22nd February; and a report on the Nation AGM held on 21st February • A note from the retiring Social Secretary – Jimmy Green • An article, from ‘SEER’ about keeping people alive at all costs / stopping people doing things that are deemed bad for them – “A Matter of Life and Death” (see RSA-OCC-0003-1 for draft) • Requesting nominations for NAG Examination Board 5

5

6

7

8

May 1966 (4 Pages)

NAG – South East Region Newsletter • Treasurer’s Report – D A Rees, includes a note about re-numbering membership registration numbers / details of the Benevolent Fund. (see RSA-OCC-0003-2 for draft) • Hon Secretary’s Report – Harold Baker, regarding falling numbers at events • An Appeal from the Editor, D R Elsdon, for articles for the newsletter • Obituaries of two life members: Mr ‘Pop’ O’Connell and George Warner • Social Secretary’s Report – Jim Edmeads, including a report on donations to the Regions funds and a report on SW Regions poor attendance at their Dinner Dance, which seemed to stem from it being too posh (and expensive) a venue.

• Dave Elsdon’s ‘space filler’ suggesting to Jim Edmeads that there is no reason for Groundsmen to frequent posh hotels and restaurants July 1966 NAG – South East Region Newsletter (4 Pages) • Introduction to announce resignation of Harold Baker as Hon Secretary • Personal letter from Harold Baker advising he had been sacked from his post, with no reason given, and was taking up a role in High Wycombe • Note of thanks for Harold’s time and announcing Jimmy Green would take over as Acting Hon Secretary • Social Secretary’s Report – Jim Edmeads, including an invitation to visit the Morris Motor Works • An article, from ‘SEER’ about ‘big brother’ in modern life – “1984 and all that” (see RSA-OCC-0003-3 for draft) • Comment from Dave Elsdon on SEER’s article • Notice of new members – William F Lawrence and Ronald Perrin September NAG – South East Region Newsletter 1966 • Social Secretary’s Report – Jim Edmeads, including an invitation to (2 Pages) the Dance on 4th October; a reminder of the need for continuing education; draw tickets for the ‘Bert Lock Testimonial Fund’ • Situation Vacant notice for an Assistant Groundsman at BP’s Lower Sydenham Club (Where Dai Rees worked) • Advert for the Dance on 4th October November 1966 NAG – South East Region Newsletter (9 Pages) • Hon Secretary’s Report – A E T (Jimmy) Green, note about Bert Lock lecture on 1st November; Region AGM on 15th November; details of the last quiz night scores, and date of the 2nd round on 21st November; note that subscriptions are now due • AGM Notification and Agenda, signed by A E T (Jimmy) Green • Annual Report 1965-66, signed by W Mills (Chairman); A E T Green (Hon Secretary – Acting); D Rees (Treasurer) • Social Secretary’s Annual Report – Jim Edmeads, including reports on the Annual Dinner and Dance; Childrens’ Party; Outings – noting the trip to Morris Motor Works had been cancelled due to lack of interest • Financial Report – D A Rees • Accounts • Childrens’ Party flyer, sending out draw tickets and application form for children to attend 6

9

February 1967 (2 Pages)

10

May 1967 (4 Pages)

11

October 1967 (5 Pages)

NAG – South East Region Newsletter • Treasurer’s Report – D A Rees, includes a letter from W.C.(Scrooge) Warner, in response to plea for payment of subs / welcomes new members. (see RSA-OCC-0003-7 for draft) • Social Secretary’s Report – Jim Edmeads, including a report on Christmas Draw; the Childrens’ Party held on 3rd January; notice for the Annual Dinner and Dance to be held on 21st March NAG – South East Region Newsletter • Hon Secretary’s Report – unnamed – assumed to be A E T (Jimmy) Green, report on The Annual Dinner, which had Billy Bowles (The Founder of NAG) and Mr and Mrs Weir (Mr Alan Weir is their Quizmaster); a note that the Region came 3rd in the National Quiz; a comment on weather forecasting; trees being cut down at the Roan School playing fields • Social Secretary’s Annual Report – Jim Edmeads, including the use of a new venue – the Hayes Wharf Sports Club, thanks to the efforts of Head Groundsman Ken Foyster; report on the Dinner Dance • Dai Rees article - “A day in the life of” detailing all the things that Dai Rees did during the day that meant he was unable to write the article for the newsletter. (see RSA-OCC-0003-14 for draft) • Situations Vacant notice for a Deputy Head Groundsman and an Assistant Groundsman at BP’s Lower Sydenham Club (Where Dai Rees worked) NAG – South East Region Newsletter • Secretary’s Report –A E T (Jimmy) Green, Thanks to the Hayes Wharf Sports Club for the use of their facilities; advance notice of the National Quiz on Monday 9th October; a social on 16th October – which would include the draw for the Children’s Party; requesting comments on starting a successor publication to the ‘SouthEasterner’; reminder on fees being due • A note from the editor (David Elsdon) to the effect that this newsletter IS the successor to the South-Easterner!

• Letter from Harold H Baker giving un update on his situation, having been unjustly dismissed from his job (see RSA-OCC-0003-6, above), then offered his old job back but refusing, moving home and job and losing his wife, leaving him with an 11-year old son – who had recently gone off riding his bike for the day, arriving home at 11.30 pm!

• Social Secretary’s Report – Jim Edmeads, including the issue of a lack of new members – and groundsman entering the profession (rather than people who just want a job); advance notice of Social and Dance on 16th October • Eileen Rees article - “The Annual Anguish – Holidays!” detailing the Rees family holiday, camping in Dorset (Charmouth) – (see RSA-OCC0003-10 for draft) • Comment on the Eileen Rees article, comment on the cancellation of a meeting to discuss a new journal as the Region had been informed of a binding contract between NAG and the publishers of the National Journal forbidding the selling of advertising space in any other journal.

7

12

February 1968 (6 Pages)

NAG – South East Region Newsletter • Secretary’s Report – unnamed – presumed to be A E T (Jimmy) Green, welcome to new members, reports on Social on 5th February, on the National Quiz on 22nd January – getting 36 out of 40 points, on the Region Quiz ‘His versus Hers’; then advance notice of another ‘His versus Hers’ quiz on 4th March and the National Quiz on 26th March 1968. Advance notice of the Annual Dinner being held on 18th March 1968 – with a full-page flyer • Social Secretary’s Report – Jim Edmeads, including a report on the Dance and Social held on 5th February and the forthcoming trip to Ransome’s on 20th February. Report on arrangements for the Annual Dinner & Dance, reminding people it was first come first served for tickets • Reminders - 19th February – National AGM; 20th February – visit to Ransome’s; 26th February – Quiz - noting a mistake earlier in the newsletter which gave the date as 26th March (in the days of typing a stencil on a typewriter and printing the results on a Roneo Duplicator, it was not so easy to correct a mistake without typing a new stencil); 4th March – Ladies v Gents Quiz; 11th March – Committee Meeting; 18th March – Annual Dinner & Dance; 26th March – A reminder that there will be NO quiz on this date.

• Dai Rees article - “And then there was none” detailing the impact of life without a car (there was no draft for this article with RSA-OCC0003) • A letter from ‘Spotlight’ about an advert by the MCC for an Assistant Head Groundsman at Lords – stating that a knowledge of the preparation of first class pitches was not required – but would be an advantage. Spotlight queried whether this was just a state of the current labour market – or the outlook of the person who posted the ad!

8

Names mentioned in the Newsletters Name

Role

Appears in Newsletter on Page No:

Harold H Baker

NAG Member / Hon Secretary / Head Groundsman Forbanks Sportsground, Beckenham Kent. Then: 22 Keep Hill Road, High Wycombe, Bucks.

Wife of H H Baker – died 1966 Son of Harold and Mrs Baker Author: The Book of the Lawn Founder of NAG / IOG

13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 24, 27, 49, 50,

Wife of Billy Bowles Ransome’s Mowers, Ipswich Ransome’s Mowers, Ipswich Author: The Establishment & Care of Fine Turf Keynsham Gardens, Eltham Lecturer NAG Member – Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank Sports Ground, New Beckenham, Kent National Executive Committee member for S W Region NAG Member: Girder Cottage, Scrubs Lane NW10 Author: Practical Lawn Craft Social Committee Member Social Committee Member New NAG/IOG Member: 54 Maple Rd. Dartford NAG Member NAG Member – 39 Watermead Road, London, SE6

44, 12, 12, 14, 42, 11, 43,

Mrs Harold Baker Robert Baker Mr Reginald Beale Mr William (Billy) Bowles Mrs Billy Bowles Mr Bradley Mr Cammell Mr David Clouston E.L. Casserly Norman Coles Mr S Coles Bob Corbin Mr A R Cotterell R B Dawson Mr Dean Mrs Dean R.A. Dixon Bobby / Billy Dunn Jim Edmeads Mr Jim Eldridge Mr David R Elsdon Mr Ken Foyster Mr A E T (Jimmy) Green Mrs Jimmy Green Mr Henry Hall Mr Percy Harris Mr Hazell ‘Hemsley Miller’ H G Howells C E Hubbard George Hunt Bill Jordan E.J. Kite R.G. Langford William F Lawrence Master D’Arcy Lentle Reg Lentle J G Lewis Len Lewis Mrs Len Lewis

NAG Member NAG Member / Newsletter Producer / Editor NAG Member – Hayes Wharf Sports Club, Footscray Road, Eltham SE9 NAG Member / Social Secretary

27, 49, 14, 19, 44,

21, 43, 14, 11, 11, 42, 43, 54, 18, 21, 26, 28, 31, 36, 41, 43, 44, 45, 48, 50, 54, 57, 44, 14, 16, 25, 26, 30, 35, 52, 45, 48,

Wife of A E T Green NAG Member / Organiser of Annual Dinner Dance NAG National Chairman Ransome’s Mowers, Ipswich Chartered Accountants Chief Works Guide Morris Works, Cowley Author: Grasses Groundsman Britannic House Sports Club / Lecturer NAG Member Eden Park, Beckenham (transferred from N.W. Region) Dog Kennel Hill, Dulwich New NAG Member – works for Greater London Council Son of Reg Lentle – NAG Member

14, 17, 18, 19, 21, 27, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 45, 48, 49, 52, 54, 17, 21, 54, 26, 20, 44, 12, 38, 40, 28, 14, 11, 12, 17, 44, 42, 42, 30, 43,

NAG Member / Chairman of SE Region Author: Turf NAG/IOG Benevolent Fund Secretary – May 1966 Wife of Len Lewis

45, 53, 56, 14, 15, 23, 17, 43,

9

Bert Lock Mr William (Bill) Mills W Neilson Jones Mr L V Noake Mr ‘Pop’ O’Connell Mr C W Orriss George Orwell Ronald Perrin Mrs Pewley F J Reed Dai Alan Rees

Eileen Rees (Wife) Janet (Rees) (Sarah) ‘Baby’ Rees SEER (Trevor) ‘5-yearold’ Rees Mr J S Stower Mr Frank Stronghill Swannell R.W. Tarrant Dick Taylor Mr V W de Thabrew Mr Alec Warner Mr George Warner Mr Pelham Warner Mr Percy Warner W.C. (scrooge) Warner Mr Alan Weir Mrs Weir Laurie W White Mr Williams Mr S Wood Mr Woodward Mrs Y (Yates)

A Founding Member of NAG / IOG. Head Groundsman Oval Cricket Ground NAG Member / Region Chairman

20, 31, 33,

Author: The Growing Plant NAG Member NAG Life Member – Died 1966 NAG Member Author of ‘1984’ quoted in article New NAG Member – works Bromley Cricket Club

14, 13, 25, 13, 28, 30, 43, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20, 24, 35, 37, 38, 40, 42, 43, 47, 48, 51, 52, 53, 54, 58,

Author: Lawns and Playing Fields Dai (David) Rees, Head Groundsman, Britannic House Sports Club / Treasurer of S E Region NAG / IOG Region / Benevolent Fund Secretary – October 1966 205 Alnwick Rd. Lee, London S.E.12 Wife of Dai Rees Daughter of Dai and Eileen Rees Daughter of Dai and Eileen Rees Dai Rees’ pseudonym – Rees spelt backwards Son of Dai and Eileen Rees

13, 17, 35

43, 46-47 (wife), 52, 58, 46, 46, 47, 21, 28, 47,

Director of British Overhead Irrigation Ltd NAG Member / Region’s Librarian Head Groundsman, MCC, Lords.

New NAG/IOG Member: Manor Lane, Lee Leader of the Dick Taylor Band NAG Member

12, 14, 35, 45,

NAG Member – Son of George Warner NAG Life Member – died 1966 NAG Member – Son of George Warner NAG Member – Son of George Warner Granby Sports Club – letter included in article

25, 25, 25, 25, 44, 42,

Region’s Quizmaster Wife of Alan Weir Newsletter Editor NAG Member Secretary of Johnson & Philips Sports Club Shanks Mower Service Dai and Eileen Rees’ next door neighbour (203 Alnwick Rd)

44, 48, 53, 54, 44, 11, 44 53, 17, 36, 11, 46,

10

42, 19, 44,

Newsletter 1: RSA-OCC-0004-1

11

(Clearly missing a further page(s))

12

Newsletter 2: RSA-OCC-0004-2

13

14

Newsletter 3: RSA-OCC-0004-3

15

16

17

18

Newsletter 4: RSA-OCC-0004-4

19

20

21

22

Newsletter 5: RSA-OCC-0004-5

23

24

25

26

Newsletter 6: RSA-OCC-0004-6

27

28

29

30

Newsletter 7: RSA-OCC-0004-7

31

32

Newsletter 8: RSA-OCC-0004-8

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

Newsletter 9: RSA-OCC-0004-9

42

43

Newsletter 10: RSA-OCC-0004-10

44

45

46

47

Newsletter 11: RSA-OCC-0004-11

48

49

50

51

52

Newsletter 12: RSA-OCC-0004-12

53

54

55

56

57

58

Appendix A Rees Scott Archive Reference Structure Each Rees Scott Archive reference follows the format RSA-XXX-NNNN. The ‘RSA’ just indicates the Rees Scott Archive, the ‘XXX’ a three-letter category code and the ‘NNNN’ a sequential number for the record category. Where a particular record is made up of several separate items, the individual items may be further referenced by a numerical indicator: RSA-XXX-NNNN-N The record categories are: ART AUD BMD CEN CER COR DIA DIR EDU IND JUD LET MAG MAP MED MIG MIL NEW NSL OBJ OCC ORA OTR PAR PCD PHO RES VID WEB WIL

Articles Audio / Voice Recording BMD - Other Records (not GRO certificates or parish records) Census Record: Certificate - GRO BMD certificates: Correspondence: Diary: Directory Documents: Education: Index Records: Judicial: Letters: Magazine or Book Record: Map Image: Medical: Migration / Passenger Records Military Record: Newspapers: National Service Letters: Object: Occupation: Oral History Transcriptions Other Parish Record: Post Cards Photograph Residence Video Web pages Will / Probate Records:

59

60

Current Rees Scott Archive Publications Rees Scott Archive publications are published in three series: Red Series: Transcriptions / Edits of Diaries or Letters Blue Series: Biographies or Research Notes of Individuals / Families Green Series: Catalogues of Documents Red Series RSA R1:

Dai Rees: Articles for NAG / IOG 1966 - 1969

RSA R2:

NAG Newsletters 1954 - 1968

RSA R3:

IOG Newsletters 1974 - 1976

Blue Series RSA B1:

Are Arthur Edward Jones and Arthur Edward Rees the same man, and did Pop marry his niece?

REES SCOTT ARCHIVE