Title
The Oxford Bottle Club
Description
The Oxford Bottle Club organised its first dig in 1981. This took place at Jackdaw Lane on the Iffley Road. They did, of course, get permission from Christ Church College before starting! The club had some 60-80 members at the time. Simon Somerscales was on the committee and remembers this dig being the first of many.
The clubs first show was held in Oxford's Town Hall in 1978. The club meets two times a month now, on the 1st and 3rd Sundays.
Simon stated collecting in 1977 while working for Thames Conservancy (now the Environment Agency). He was hand digging under a bridge on the Abingdon Road when he discovered a stoneware bottle from North and Co. This was for ginger beer. This first bottle was what got him started collecting and in those days he recounts lots of dredging taking place.
Simon has said that the club is nowhere near as well supported as it used to be partially due to lack of digging sites. He and others still do a lot of research and sometimes put on displays. His favourite bottles are Tap Jars from Oxford.
The club has its own Facebook site - look for Oxfordshire Antique Bottle Club.
The clubs first show was held in Oxford's Town Hall in 1978. The club meets two times a month now, on the 1st and 3rd Sundays.
Simon stated collecting in 1977 while working for Thames Conservancy (now the Environment Agency). He was hand digging under a bridge on the Abingdon Road when he discovered a stoneware bottle from North and Co. This was for ginger beer. This first bottle was what got him started collecting and in those days he recounts lots of dredging taking place.
Simon has said that the club is nowhere near as well supported as it used to be partially due to lack of digging sites. He and others still do a lot of research and sometimes put on displays. His favourite bottles are Tap Jars from Oxford.
The club has its own Facebook site - look for Oxfordshire Antique Bottle Club.
Date
1977 to present
Contributor
Simon Somerscales
Publisher
Museum of Oxford
Rights
Simon Somerscales
Creator
Simon Somerscales
Alt text
Image 1: 3 black glass bottles
Image 2: book, 'the Oxfordshire ginger beer collectors guide'
Image 2: book, 'the Oxfordshire ginger beer collectors guide'
Add your thoughts
Charles Simpson
Hi, wondered if you have come across this shape 20cm high x 11cm wide ?
Daniel Kerr
Hello. Myself & my dad are keen bottle enthusiasts / have enjoyed looking/digging for bottles in past time.
wondering if it possible for us to come along to the next dig or club meet and both hopefully?
Many thanks
Daniel Kerr
Wantage, Oxfordshire
T: 01235-769481
Linda Gatto
Could you please introduce me to Simon Somerscales?( Not through facebook)
I would like someone to come and give a talk to South Stoke Historical Society regarding bottles and possibly other trivia found in our gardens. Grundys, Simonds and Brakespears were the breweries involved with the pubs in our village. If Simon can't help he may know someone who can ( hopefully)
Thank you in anticipation
Linda Gatto
Chairman of South Stoke Historical Society
PS We're on the Oxfordshire-Berkshire border in the south of the county.
Sarah houston
Am
i able to join the Oxford Bottle Club please ?