Ceremonial Opening

LEYLANDS ROAD, BURGESS HILL

BY

LORD LIEUTENANT OF SUSSEX

The opening of the Mid-Sussex Amateur Boxing Club's new headquarters is an appropriate occasion to recall something of the man by whose generosity and foresight this whole project has been made possible, and at whose instigation the club was formed in 1938.

Sidney Herbert West was born at Caversham, Berkshire, in I876. From preparatory school at Guildford he went to Sr. Paul's School, London, and later Clifton College.

On leaving, he became an articled pupil with the very old firm of surveyors and valuers, Messrs. Humbert and Flint, at their Watford office. In 1900 he qualified by examination as a professional associate of the Surveyors' Institute and the following year became a partner in the firm of agricultural auctioneers and valuers known as Famcombe & West, practising at Steyning, Sussex, and proprietors of the cattle market which still flourishes there (and now for very many years in the hands of Messrs. Harry Jas. Burt & Son).

Throat trouble put an end to Mr. West's career as an auctioneer, and in 1908 he took over North House Farm, Portslade, an extensive market garden and, at that time, dairy farm. Later he took into partnership his farm manager, the late Mr. John Broomfield.

Mr. West retired from active farming in 1925 when he came to live in Burgess Hill. He was a prominent member of the Southdown Hunt, upon the committee of which he represented the farmers for several years.

A great sportsman, his physical fitness marched with his keenness. He loved horses and hunting and was a keen swimmer. For some years he maintained a natural swimming pool near Burgess Hill, where he taught many boys to swim. Subsequently several of those who embarked on a wartime Services career found that they owed their survival to this early instruction in " Westy's Pool."

Always upright and forthright, Mr. West was a grand companion who found great happiness in putting his hand into his pocket for any worthy cause. Before his death in 1944 he made drawings for a club building which have been given close regard in the design of the new headquarters, and for the establishment of which he made such generous provision. May all who use this hall remember his goodwill to his fellow men.

P.S.

The Mid-Sussex Amateur Boxing Club was formally formed as such in 193S on the foundation of Territorial members who had trained under the guidance of Mr. Steve King, Jnr., and aided by his father.

Lt.-Col. A. E. Bridge, T.D., was then President. Notable achievements in these early days were the winning of The Battalion Trophy of the 4th Royal Sussex Regiment T.A. at Horsham by R. Rumble, Ted Cruze, the Weir brothers, and Ioe Lee, all trained at The Cricketers. Rumble and Cruze both boxed at the All England finals at The Albert Hall where both were good losers.

The late P/O Phil Norris, killed in the Battle of Britain, worthily upheld the Club's name in early days, as did Don Leaney and many others whose achievements space here prevents detail.

Through the war years the Club carried on lively activity, numbers of Evacuees joined and helped to hold tradition high in many competitions. Tournaments were held at The Cricketers supporting War Savings Funds on several occasions, and it was during this period Colin Oliver and Mick Green reached all England schoolboy championships.

In 1943 Bob Griffin won the Air Training Corps" Silver Wings" and in the following year won his National Championship at The Albert Hall.

Post War achievements include the following: -

Over the I8 years period of the existence of the Club some 560 boys, youths, and young men have passed through membership, a worthy tribute to the patience and guidance of our Hon. Trainer, and his faithful helpers. In conclusion the Club will for all time be very grateful to Mr. and Mrs. King, our host and hostess at The Cricketers, In which the Club enjoyed such happy times.