Alan Bartley: 'The sport never stopped.'

Title

Alan Bartley: 'The sport never stopped.'

Subject

Alan Bartley

Description

Whether it was boxing, bowls, football, fishing, or tennis, sport has always been 'central' in Alan Bartley's life. In this oral history interview, the Hawkinge resident reflects on his sporting experiences and accomplishments in his hometown Dover and elsewhere. He also speaks about living with dementia, writing poetry, and his determination to 'beat the plaques'.

Creator

Michael Romyn

Date

12 March, 2020

Contributor

Alan Bartley

Rights

Kent's Sporting Memories

Collection Items

Alan Bartley Oral History Recording
An oral history interview with Alan Bartley

Alan Bartley Oral History Summary
Summary of an Oral History Recording with interviewee Alan Bartley

Football at Dover Working Men's Club, c.1968
A photograph of Alan Bartley playing five-a-side football at Dover Working Men's Club in c.1968

Buckland Estate, Dover, c.1952
A photograph of Alan Bartley and friends playing football on Dover's Buckland Estate, where Alan grew up, in c.1952

'The Salutation' pub football team, Dover, c.1970
A photograph of Alan Bartley (second from left) and the rest of 'The Salutation' pub football team in Dover, where the pub was based, in c.1970

River Bowling Club trophy winners, c.1990
A photograph of the trophy winners of the River Bowling Club finals in Dover, c.1990. Alan Bartley (back row, right) was the winner of the men's handicap competition.

'The Fishing Competition' - A Poem by Alan Bartley
A recording of a poem written and performed by Alan Bartley. The poem is based on an episode from Alan's childhood, in which he placed second in a fishing competition in Dover despite not catching any (live) fish. Photo of text attached.

'Every Boy's Ambition' - A Football Poem by Alan Bartley
A recording of a poem about footballing dreams, written and performed by Alan Bartley. Since being diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in the mid-2010s, Alan has used poetry both to express himself and to help 'beat the plaques'. Photo of text…

Alan Bartley: 'The sport never stopped.'
A photograph of Alan Bartley at Folkestone Care Centre, March 2020. Alan holds the East Kent Wednesday League football trophy, won by Buckland Mill (for whom he played) in 1966.

Alan Bartley Oral History Transcript
Transcription of an oral history recording of interviewee Alan Bartley
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