The George Batty Cup

Rookwood Golf Course

George Powell writes:

On Friday 23rd. September, the golfers from Crawley Circle will be competing against Reigate Circle’s golfers for the return of the George Batty trophy at Rookwood Golf Course in Horsham. We lost it to Reigate, after a tough game at Betchworth two years ago.

Competitions for the Cup between Crawley and our neighbouring circle to the north have been held for many years, and have covered a number of friendly activities, but in the last ten years these have concentrated on golf, usually played at Rookwood when it is Crawley’s challenge and either Reigate Hill or Betchworth when it is Reigate’s.

We always remember George Batty in our prayers at the beginning of our Meetings, but not all our members will know that Brother George was a founder member of Crawley Circle, and he became its inaugural President at the Circle’s first meeting on 12th. April 1961, when 24 Brothers signed the Roll. Brother George played an active role in the Circle’s early years and served as Provincial President for the year 1967/1968.

The cup was donated by the late Brother Bill Ridgers of Reigate and Purley Circles, as a tribute to Brother George, after his death in 1975, and this has become a symbol of the friendship between the two circles ever since.