LEISURE PURSUITS

 Appleton, with its splendid Village Hall, sportsfield and tennis courts, provides many activities for young and old: 

There are also three Public Houses:

RECREATION WORKING GROUP

Following a request for youth facilities by the young people of the village at the Annual Parish Council Meeting in May 1996, the Parish Council set up a group to look into the matter. Various meetings were held including a public meeting in January 1997 and it was decided to proceed with a recreational facility. A site was identified in Badswell Lane, Appleton, and successful negotiations for the site took place. Proposals included the provision of a play area for the under 12s and a multi-sports surface for the teenagers and older children, separated by a landscaped seating area. Fund-raising was undertaken but the project shelved in 2008.

APPLETON TENNIS CLUB - for current information see http://www.appletonwitheaton.org.uk/tennis

In October 1988 some of the tennis enthusiasts in the village made enquiries of the Vale of White Horse District Council about a grant for a tennis club for the school and village and began looking for a site. Five years is the usual length of time for such hopes to come to fruition where local government grants are concerned, but we beat the clock, for the courts were eventually opened for the summer season on May 22, 1992. Rosemary Dick, who died in 2006 and was the Tennis Club’s Honorary President (and the one who leased the land to the Parish Council) cut the ribbon across the two courts on the site in Badswell Lane. A large crowd gathered for the event in the new car park by the courts and watched a coaching display by Appleton School pupils and their coach. The Club is now one of the largest village organisations. Appleton School has use of the courts during the summer season. Membership is open to all Appleton and Eaton residents and residents from Besselsleigh, Fyfield and Tubney. In 2005 the Vale of White Horse District Council approved substantial funding to have the courts entirely resurfaced.

APPLETON SPORTSFIELD - for current information see http://www.appletonwitheaton.org.uk/sportsfield

Before the sportsfield in Netherton Road was acquired, cricket was played on a field by Upwood Park opposite Tubney Woods and in the 1920 through to 1950s at various sites in Appleton. Football was played on a field behind The Close when Mr Frost owned it; later the players used a field at Eaton. Currently there is no senior football team (it folded in 2007) but there are four (under 9s, under 10s, under 13s and under 15s) Junior Appleton teams playing in local junior leagues.

The Appleton Cricket Club eventually went into decline between 1955 and until the sportsfield was set up, and was reformed in 1967 and is flourishing to this day.

The Sportsfield land in Netherton Road was owned by the Sir Richard Fettiplace's Charity and was sold to the Parish Council in 1965 for £800. Mr Jack Hoddinott, then the owner of Field Farm adjacent to the sportsfield, first burnt off the weeds and Mr. Sam Farrant (father of David Farrant) of Manor Farm at Eaton levelled and seeded the field. The money for this whole project was raised by:

• donations from villagers, and
• a carnival held in 1965 which brought in £550.

The carnival was opened by musician and film actor Dudley Moore (at one time a pupil of Dr Rose) and was held on the field called ‘The Park’ in the grounds of Appleton Manor. The Manor at that time was owned by Dr and Mrs Bernard Rose (the parents and in laws of Graham & Judith Rose who live at Thistledown in Park Lane). The activities of the carnival included a judo display, Morris Dancers, a best looking baby competition, helicopter rides, the crowning of the Carnival Queen, and a veteran fire-engine which demonstrated its fire-fighting capabilities by putting out a mock fire (made of old tyres). The fire engine was owned by Graham Rose’s cousin.

The old pavilion was bought from the Rural District Council for £10. The rubble from the demolition of the old bakery on the corner of Park Lane was used to form the hard core of the car park.

The new pavilion, which replaced the rotting prefab bungalow, was opened on October 6th, 1993 by Councillor Ken Davies, Chairman of the Vale of Horse District Council. The District Council had awarded a grant of £16,000 towards the cost, and the Foundation for Sports and Arts gave £20,000 towards the project. Mrs Sanchia Prickett, who was secretary at the time, was instrumental in directing the project - establishing sources of funding and directing people to undertake the building works. Mr Vivian White was responsible for building the new pavilion. Because of the 100+ voluntary helpers the actual cost of the building was £40,000 instead of the original estimate of £80,000. The various clubs that used the ground raised the balance outstanding through village dances and other social activities.

The Sportsfield is owned by the Parish Council and is operated by the Sportsfield Management Committee. The current chairman is Paul Taylor of Badswell Lane. In 2007 the facility was brought up-to-date with all (known!) current regulations.