The Downfall of Croxley Sports
The Downfall of Croxley Sports and The Birth of Formerly - How one local shop came to ruin the reputation of a thriving, long-established sports shop in South London
Dickinson's Sports Ground
The history of Croxley Sports dates back to the 1890s, when the Croxley Green community began to take an interest in local sporting events. The Dickinson's sports fields were one example, as were the Croxley Green sports grounds. The Croxley Green sports ground hosted various sporting events, such as football, rugby, and bowls. It is the main community-based facility, and the Baldwins Lane recreation ground contains a skateboard park, which is popular with BMX bikes.
In the 1980s, the mill's closure prompted residents to form the Guild Sports Club, a sporting association. The Dickinson Robinson Group Ltd., which owned the sports ground, decided to sell it to PS1 after the mill's closure. After acquiring the property, the mill manager persuaded the town's local authorities to acquire the grounds. The mill also provided a substantial clubhouse. The Croxley Stars Cricket and Athletic Sports eventually took up many different sports.
Silas Craggs
The day had begun with work suspended in the iron-works and coal-pits. At one o'clock a fight was called. Three men came from different locations, some with dogs. Some brought lurchers and fox-terriers. Both men had suffered from toil and labour in the cramped galleries and white-hot metal. Despite the resulting bloodletting, the workmen were still stricken with excitement and rage.
Dickinson's
It's hard to believe, but Mary Ann Dickinson was a leading girl guide in the Croxley district. She was the secretary and then captain of the company. The girls gathered at the Institute on Tuesdays and Fridays and performed plays for the soldiers, as well as putting on shows for the annual children's party. She was born in 1882 and died in 1948.
Protests
If you're interested in the history of sport, you may have heard about the protests against Formerly Croxley Sports, which have taken place in the town since the 1960s. While most sports protests are brief and organized by a specific group, Croxley's history is filled with controversial events. Protesters are often people in positions of power and politicians, but they can also be ordinary spectators who object to racist attitudes.
The main goal of sports protests is to bring about awareness of an issue and encourage spectators to get involved. Protests often support equal rights for people of color, a cause that has been neglected for centuries. Other protests aim to raise awareness about certain issues, and many athletes have made these their point. These athletes have a strong following, and their presence on social media will increase the number of people who follow their cause.
Croxley Green Parish Council
The Croxley Green Parish Council is comprised of 16 elected members, each representing one of the wards. Councillors must abide by a Code of Conduct, which details the proper behaviour for community members. They also have a responsibility to be proactive in promoting Croxley's amenities and events. Whether you want to get involved, or just learn more about what's going on in your community, Croxley's councillors are available to help.
Cliff Vassiliou was a long-standing resident and businessman in Croxley Green, serving as chairman of the council from 2002 to 2005. The town's parish council is full of local clubs and organizations. There are two public houses and two village greens. The village green is an open space, and it hosts many events throughout the year, including a village fair and fireworks on New Year's Eve.
Cliff Vassiliou
Last month, Cliff Vassiliou, the long-serving councillor and business owner from Croxley Green, died. The news was devastating. He was 86 years old and the longest-serving councillor in the history of Croxley Green Parish Council. In addition to running the sports shop for 27 years, Cliff was also chair of the council from 2002 to 2005.
Before the internet, Cliff's shop was under threat from large retailers with lower prices and inferior customer service. Although he was a local hero and a prominent voice on the Croxley Green Parish Council, the business was still a victim of changing times. After all, times have been tough for old-fashioned shops, and he had no customers for three weeks last April.
