Mary Wise, a former BSSC Hockey Player, Hon Treasurer, President and current Fundraiser writes:

"Prior to 1958 there were football and cricket teams in Blockley.  The football team fucntioned from the Cinquefoil ground in Park Road and the cricket team from a field in Back Ends.  Subsequently in 1958 the Blockley Sports Club was formed at the Cinquefoil.  Captain Spencer-Churchill was our landlord and also became President and the Sports Club began to flourish.

The football team did really well and the cricket team also began to enjoy success.  Football was played in the Cheltenham League but there was no similar cricket league - only friendly matches were played.

The teams were made up of mostly Blockley lads and other members from the parish villages.  They were grand years and with Cyril Smith at the helm very happy and successful. Cyril was the 'sponge' man for the footballers and umpire for the cricketers as well as caring for the ground.  He also provided oranges at half time and his first aid expertise, free of charge!

After a few years as a new club, the wives and local girls decided to start a hockey team.  I was very proud to be one of the founder members.  The pitch was a problem, the only level piece of the Cinquefoil being the football pitch and the cricket square.  However, we decided to go ahead and played our first season, losing abysmally but gradually finding our feet and establishing a creditable reputation.  Few visiting teams relished playing on our uphill pitch!  Whenever they talk about the slope at Lords, I smile to myself thinking how we used to cope with a real uphill (or downhill) at Blockley.

Over the years the football section ran an U16 side, two Sunday sides and always a regular Saturday team.

Captain Spencer-Churchill sadly passed away prematurely and so we had lost the opportunity of owning our own ground.  He has told us that when we had functioned as a club for 10 years, he would give us the ground.  He died when we were in our ninth year.

This brief history is leading upto the present day set up at Sparmoor in Station Road, the purchase of which was completed on 26 June 1992 and it took a further year to get the ground ready for play.  What a credit this is to the present and past committee members.  We were able, through thrify years of Cyril Smith, to purchase Sparmoor.  What a wise investment!

Lt Col Bill McLelland served as President for very many years and was instrumental in purchasing the ground.  When Bill McLelland retired as President I was delighted in 2007 to be asked to become the next President.  On my standing down, the Club was very pleased that Alan Cother takes on the Presidency.

With the help of lottery funding, Brian and Lesley Gee, John Dewhurst and the Sports Club Committee money was raised to create exceptional grass playing surfaces, a Clubhouse with changing rooms and ultimately the MUGA - the all weather facility built on the ground behind the pavilion.  This is widely used and is a great asset to the Club.

The Clubhouse has a superb kitchen, function room, bar, well equipped changing rooms and a large car park.

The Club does cost a lot to run and it is constantly fund raising.  We run bingo on Monday night at 7.30pm and Tuesday evening there is a Whist Drive from 7.30pm.  We have a 100 Club which is drawn monthly, it is well supported by Club members and Blockley people.  We are always holding prize bingos at St George's Hall and coffee mornings and teas at various locations to raise that extra bit of cash.  The playing members are marvellous and give generously.  For those of us whose playing days are over, many give of their time generously.  There are too many people to mention by name but the Club's sincere thanks go to you all.

As you can see we have a thriving club, providing enjoyment and participation for a good many people.  New members are always welcome so why not come along and see what we have to offer.  Thanks must go to those who already support the Blockley Sports and Social Club for without your involvement we would not succeed and so far we have!"