A PLAQUE FOR FRED

In each generation there emerge people who enhance the lives of those in their community; such a person was Fred Lewis. Visitors to the Museum will find an exhibition dedicated to scouting in the town. Fred was Scoutmaster of the Chipping Norton Pioneer Group, which started in 1907. He received his warrant on 11^th November, 1908, and attended the first Boy Scouts Rally at Crystal Palace in September, 1909. It was while he was running a scout camp in 1909 that he looked for a game which could be played by everyone together.

Look in the Museum and you will see a model of a man in a baseball outfit holding a bat .In the Chipping Norton Tapestry is a similar picture, and in the book  �The Tapestry Trail� is the story of Fred�s connection with baseball. Knowing of the American Touring Team�s promotional visit to Britain, and seeing in the game the potential for his scouts, he wrote a pamphlet which was later issued by Scout Headquarters. From this small beginning a club was formed in 1920.

On the present Cromwell Park was the Diamond where many local games were enthusiastically played. Several Leagues were formed in the town. However, the teams went farther afield and, in 1926, after playing the London Americans at Stamford Bridge, the Chippy team won, to the acclaim of the national press. Sadly, with the death of Fred Lewis in 1960, the game died out. Fred was seen by all who knew him as a colourful character who gave of himself unstintingly in the entertaining of others.

The former baseball club, which still has some funds in an account, now wishes  to acknowledge the dedication of Fred Lewis to the game he set up for the young, and the not-so-young, of Chipping Norton. Permission has been granted to put up a plaque in Market Street, where he lived. Unfortunately there is not quite enough money to pay for it.

The Local History Society have said they will help to raise the rest of the money.  If you would like to make a donation please make cheques payable to Chipping Norton Local History Society and send them to the Treasurer: Mrs. Brenda Morris, 26 Walterbush Road, Chipping Norton OX7 5DN.

The plaque will have a formal unveiling, on Monday 17^th September at 5.30pm. It will take place at 5 Market Street.  Everyone is very welcome  to attend the unveiling of the plaque  and join us afterwards at the Museum.

HONOURING FRED LEWIS

Left: Betty Hicks with her son Alan. Alan's father Billy Hicks was a regular member of the baseball team. Right: Other veteran baseball players were on parade. Front row. Harold Smith, Bert Tipping, Cyril Smart and Ray Simms Back row: Alf Smith, Tony Peachey

 
Fred Lewis's family turned out in force. Don Cambray (Fred's grandson on the far right) lives in Chippy, The others came from Tewkesbury and Sussex. Three great great grandchildren were there. Jessica, Hannah and Eleanor Cambray