Barton Hill School’s, History teacher, Mr. W. E. R. Harris, founded Barton Hill Old Boys RFC in 1908.

‘William Edward Ronald Harris’ was also known affectionally as ‘Billy Harris’. Mr Harris considered that the Barton Hill district of Bristol was short of activities for young men and men to do in the then very poor, working class neighbourhood.

He decided he would try to provide sport in the neighbourhood, so he founded the Rugby Club. He also founded the Water Polo Club using the local swimming baths. Eventually the Water Polo fell away but the Rugby Club has continued until the present day.

 Although some of the Club’s history has been lost we do know that during the 1920’s the 1^st team was known as ‘The Old Invincibles’ and played in front of crowds of thousands. They changed in a Café, which was situated under the 13 Arches railway viaduct, which spanned across what is now Tesco’s.  They played at Eastville Park, which was opposite the Café.

The Second World War came and of course the Club didn’t play during those years.

The Club restarted in 1946 thanks to a Man called Les Davey, ‘A real Bart's man’. It was he who managed to revive the Club. It was time to play at a new ground at Stoke Lodge, Stoke Bishop. The Club change in an old Nissan hut on the ground. They stayed there for 12 years.

In 1955, the Club struggled to survive due to the lack of players. In fact, the Club folded for four days an article was placed in the newspaper for more players to save the Club. Three players responded and joined the Club. This was enough to save the Club and so it survived and never looked back. The Club had to move from Stoke Lodge in 1958. It was decided to move to brilliant facilities at Hanham Cricket Ground. It is there the Club celebrated their 50^th Anniversary. The Club played a celebration match against a Combination XV on the Annex of the Memorial ground and that evening had a celebration dinner at the Glasshouse Hotel, Lawrence Hill.

Unfortunately the Club had to move off the cricket field. They searched for a new ground and came across the Chapel in Castle Farm Road, Hanham. The purchase price for the old Methodist Chapel was £100. The pitches were leased for £160 in the first year and the Club used to sell the grass keep. The ground was opposite the old Chapel. Unfortunately, eventually this piece of land was then sold for housing. The Club managed to rent a field on Hanham Hills and stayed there for several years while still using the Chapel.

In 1978 the Chapel was compulsory purchased by the council who wanted to widen the road for £7000. Using this ‘windfall’ it was decided that a new permanent home was needed. It moved to its present home in Duncombe Lane, Speedwell in 1978, using the school changing rooms until a Clubhouse was built in 1980.

The Club’s players, up until 1958 when leaving the Stoke Lodge ground, rarely went for drinks after the game except when they played away from home. Once the Club moved to the Chapel in Hanham, the Pubs used for ‘refreshments’ and entertaining the opposition were:

The Lord Raglan  - St George

The Elmtree, Hanham

White Swan, Hanham

The Bull, Crews Hole Road

The Maypole, Hanham

It moved into the Club’s own brand new Clubhouse, finally, in 1981 at Duncombe Lane, Speedwell. An extension to the Clubhouse was built in 1987.

The Club joined the league when league’s first started.

2008 sees the Centenary year for the Club. It is obviously something we are all very proud of. One hundred years of rugby football. I think Billy Harris would be amazed and delighted to see something he started, last for so long. I believe he would be delighted to know how well the Club has done over the years and how well placed the Club is for the next hundred years.

Mike Bond

President - 2007