A Fancy Dress match was held in Henrietta Park in the presence of about 5000 spectators.
COMMITTEE MEETING 11/9/1894. Resolved to write to the W.R.U. re the non fulfilment of the Cardiff Harlequins F C to keep their agreement to pay the Club £3 as travelling expenses. Failing any reply to write to the English Rugby Union.
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING at Angel Hotel 14th September 1894.
A F Horton unable to continue as Joint Treasurer. H E H Pinch forced to give up rugby on doctor’s advice.
Captain Forester one of additional Vice Presidents. Mr Freeman elected Treasurer and consented to act single- handed provided the Club would find him a room in a central position where they could meet once a week.
Drill Hall suggested for one night a week training.
COMMITTEE MEETING at the Angel Hotel 17 Sept. 1894.
Trial match 22 September.
Use of RidingSchool one night a week for training.
MOVE FROM HENRIETTA PARK TO THE RECREATION GROUND – BACKGROUND
Bath rugby had continued to play at Henrietta Park, but there were drawbacks, in that space was restricted and it was difficult to prevent gate-crashing non-payers. Most importantly, there was doubt on availability for the following season. Captain Forester, owner of the Bathwick Estates was seeking an Act of Parliament to enable him to develop the park into extensive gardens and a pleasure area.
The newly formed Recreation Ground Company had acquired the “17 acres of green sward” of Pulteney Meadows, and were desirous of developing the area for athletic pursuits for the citizens of Bath.
It seemed an opportunity – too good to miss!
The Company had appealed for a capital of £3000 to render the area fit for first class cricket and other sports. Initially, only £1000 was raised, and the rugby club showed some reluctance to accept on the rental and revenue sharing terms suggested.
DRAFT AGREEMENT DISCUSSED
Re – PULTENEY MEADOWS
A long discussion then took place with regard to negotiations between the Club and the Syndicate in Possession of the Pulteney Meadows. The area could be made available for the coming season, and the Company would erect a grandstand in time for the first match. The chief concern was a raise in rent. The Company would additionally take 20% on the gate money and 20% of the takings at the Grandstand. Nevertheless, the Chairman thought it too good an opportunity to miss, but there were dissenters Mr Sants did not like the terms offered and thought there would be difficulty in gate taking if there were other events in progress. However, it would appear the Club would be given exclusive rights on certain days. Mr Henshaw counselled that the interests of the Club and Company were too much in common to allow insuperable difficulties to arise. He was sorry the Company had not raised more money, but suggested that if one hundred Club members took up £10 each the problem would be solved. He thought that all sportsman in the city could contribute to its success.
“The CHAIRMAN repeated that Henrietta-park was inadequate, and if they could not get a good ground like the one about which they had been talking, it would be ‘Good bye’ to county football in Bath. On the other hand, if proper accommodation were provided there would be county football here and probably it would lead to county cricket in Bath. They must try and get the ground if possible.”
GENERAL COMMITTEE at the Angel Hotel 11th Oct. 1894.
Admission to Field 3d, with exception of Gloucester, Jesus Wanderers, Bristol, Wellington, Old Edwardians, Torquay Athletic and Penarth – which would be 6d.
6d Reserved side throughout.
6/10/1894 – MOVE TO THE RECREATION GROUND
“As it was the first Club match on the land of the Recreation Grounds Company the arrangements were closely scrutinized. It was wonderful knowing the energy of the moving power in the Company to see the progress already made. Messrs. Mould Brothers, who have been entrusted with the timber work, had been active. A stout wooded barrier around the ground had been erected, the mainstays of the stand were up and the enclosure fenced off. Some grumbled because there is no room for a promenade in front of the stand, but this is a minor point, and seeing the liberal manner in which the Company has met the Club further quibbling would be ungracious.
Certainly the members’ enclosure is out of the way, but members need not go there. In the case of a large crowd it would be convenient for those who wish to be select, but those who like a good view of the game won’t patronise “the triangle” very numerously. The charging of 6d admission is a sore point with many. It was left to the Committee to alter the price from 3d as they thought fit. It appears the Match Committee took upon itself the responsibility, whereas the General Committee was clearly the body meant. If the larger body is not consulted on some points why elect one? Personally I favour a popular gate, and would sooner see a thousand at 3d. than 500 at 6d., and it is the best policy. It was not really worth 6d. on Saturday.
The receipts at the gate on Saturday amounted to £13 4s., of which the Club takes four-fifths.
A meeting of the General Committee has been convened for Thursday evening, to consider the whole question of admission, when the Threepennies and Sixpennies can fight the matter out. A communication has been addressed to the Company to set back the stand farther from the touch-line but there can be no doubt that the Directors will demur to altering the structure already so far forward.”
FULL MATCH REPORT – FIRST GAME ON THE REC.
6/10/1894 v Exeter on the Recreation Ground. Won by 2 goals and 4 tries to nil. (22-0)
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