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5. The Sports and Social Club
Old
photographs saved by old employees, coupled with the works magazine
"The Key", shows a work force that was in the main a happy
one. Perhaps the Sports
and Social Club on the Birmingham New Road did much for factory
morale.
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The Bowling Green at the
Sports and Social Club |
With bowls,
fishing, football, cricket,
tennis and dominoes clubs, amongst others, James Gibbons Sports and Social had them all and they were well patronised wherever
they were formed.
| A James Gibbons football
team of the late 1950s. |
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A James Gibbons cricket
team of the late 1950s. |
| The Ladies Committee
(with helpers) for a Sports Day at the Co-op Ground, Compton
Road, in the late 1950s. |
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The Celebration Day
Sports Committee on the same occasion. |
One of the strongest, that even extended to National
Championships, was the famous James Gibbons Rifle Club.
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Members of the James
Gibbons Rifle Club at the Kynoch Works Rifle Range, Witton
Road, Birmingham. |
| Championship team at the
Kynoch Works range. |
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The team at Kynoch
Works range. |
| A James Gibbons Rifle
Club Dinner, hosted by Mrs. Anne Spittle. |
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Judith, Linda and Elaine
Standley, daughters of Eleanor Standley, secretary to Mr.
Owen of Wellman, Smith and Owen, Darlaston, (later Sir
Alfred Owen) and secretary of the Black Country Rifle League
for fifty years. |
| Trophies won by the
Rifle Club including, on the left, the Midlands United
Regions Shield for the winners of the Black Country Rifle
League. |
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It
would be not only fair but just to
remember that it was the generosity of Mr Paul Gibbons himself who
made the Club possible. Without
the concern for the
"after working hours" of his employees, it would never
have been built. Neither would the wonderful Sports Ground that he
purchased at Wednesfield for his Cricket and Football teams, all
coming out of his pocket or profits.
Sometimes it is easy to dismiss these things with "Well,
he can afford it". Yes
he could; but on the other hand he could be like the shareholders of
today who sell what people like Mr Paul Gibbons put there.
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