Towards the end of the 1800s there was pressure to provide and organise recreational facilities and spaces which would be available for everyone and to act as a pressure group for local authorities to provide these facilities. Recreation Societies were formed throughout the country and Oswestry Recreation Society had their own grass track at Weston Lane which was marked out with a four laps to the mile circuit for bicycle races. A driving force of the club was their secretary John C Rodway, who rode a penny farthing which he considered to be superior to more modern machines because "he was able to secure a better view of the countryside as he rode along." Rodway was the secretary of the Oswestry Bicycle Club** and Oswestry Town football club.
The Recreation Society held their first sports at their ground on Thursday evening May 26th 1892. There were various sports including a cricket match between married vs singles, a quoits tournament and a two miles bicycle handicap race restricted to members of Oswestry BC. The weather was very poor and the evening dancing was cancelled.
A second meeting was held at the ground on August 1st 1892, there were nine athletics races and two bicycle handicap races over one and two miles. Newtown Prize Band played at the event. Attendance at their August sports was good and the meeting was held annually until 1899.
** Oswestry Bicycle Club was in existence by 1888.
