Football for Fun
Bryan Baker (01865 321 904) decided last year to find a few kindred spirits to kick a ball about with him on a Wednesday evening between 7.30-9pm on the playing fields by the Wootton and Dry Sandford Community Centre. Now some 5-12 players join him each week in all weather and during the winter months they play under the spotlights on the multi-games area. All football enthusiasts, male or female, aged from about 14 upwards are welcome to join Bryan for an active and enjoyable hour of footie.
Call Bryan to make sure that the group is running whilst the Community Centre is being rebuilt.
Aerobics
This is lively session on a Thursday evening attracting about 6-12 people to Wootton School from 7.30-8.30pm. The aerobics session has been running for about two years now with a trained leader. Any profits made from the £4 fee go to Wootton School.
Those who don’t want to or can’t go for it at an upbeat pace can always opt for the ‘low impact alternative’ (which is not sitting down).
For more details contact Liz Varnom on 736 039, or just come along on the night in comfortable loose fitting gear.
Karate
For teenagers and adults. Takes place on Thursdays 7.30 -9.00 pm at the Community Centre. If you are interested in getting involved or you would like further details, then please contact Steve Luckett on 01235 206 500 .
Badminton
For teenagers and adults. Takes place in the Community Centre on Tuesday evenings from 7.30 pm until 9.00 pm. If you would like to get involved or are interested in learning more then please contact Sue or Carol at Sue@fortressalarms.com or carol.murray@yahoo.co.uk
Cricket
After a gap of some 25 years, the Wootton and Boars Hill Cricket club was revived in the early 1990s and now has use of an attractive pavilion overlooking picturesque and well looked after cricket grounds. About 25 adult players enjoy both league and friendly matches. Each year the club holds a popular fundraising six-aside day involving several teams. Members also welcome those who would prefer to umpire or keep score rather than play.
The half dozen youngest players are in their early teenage years and join in with the Sunday matches. If there is sufficient interest the club would consider an evening coaching session for young players.
League games are played on Saturdays usually from 2pm until about 7.45pm. The club recently went up a league from division six to five. On Sundays the friendly matches begin at 2pm.
The club’s cricket field maintenance committee hold their meetings in the pavilion which is available for hire to other users. The club also has an all-weather pitch at the site.
For more details contact the club’s chairman, David Churchouse on 01865 735 722 or email David on davidc@top20.freeserve.co.uk
The club had a successful 2005 season finishing third in Division 5 of the Oxfordshire Cricket Association League and winning the Dixon Memorial Cup, the final being played at the home ground on 14 August 2005.
Bowls
Unbeknown to most local residents Wootton sports the most successful short mat bowls club in Oxfordshire.
Last year four of the Wootton team bowled in the world championships and a team of Wootton bowlers were the British Champions in 2002. Two of the Wootton bowlers are currently in the England team.
During the Summer the club meets in the Wootton and Dry Sandford Community Centre on Wednesday evenings from 7-10pm and Fridays from 7.30-10.30pm. In winter they meet on Wednesday evenings only. The youngest of the 40 or so members is 10 years old and the oldest is around 77. They are mainly from the local area and Abingdon.
There is plenty of opportunity to take part in inter-club competitions, with home games played on Sundays in the Wootton and Dry Sandford Community Centre and away games played at other club premises throughout the Vale of White Horse district. The club is currently taking part in a four-team tournament.
Whether you want to play competitively or just enjoy a friendly game, the Short Mat Bowls Club is pleased to have new members, and newcomers with disabilities are also welcome. It’s not an expensive sport to take part in once you have bought your shoes and bowls. The evening sessions are £1.50 each including a cup of tea at half time.
For more details or to join up contact Geoff Cross on 736 203.
Wootton Ladies Netball
Still in its infancy the Wootton Ladies Friendly Netball has begun to attract several players on a Monday evening at 7-8pm on the Wootton and Dry Sandford multi-games court. The £1 charged for each player is helping the group to raise funds for balls and bibs, as well as to cover lighting costs during the winter months.
So far the youngest player has been 14 years old and the oldest 50-ish. Lately a couple of chaps have joined in and they are due to take part in a netball tournament hosted by the group on Sunday, July 10 at 10.30pm.
Teams from Wootton and Abingdon are taking part at a cost of £35 per team in support of the Lavender Trust, a trust for young adults with breast cancer.
Diana and Kate McNeil(730 506), who have organized this new activity, can give you more details or just come along on a Monday evening.