CSMA at 95: over nine decades of motoring and membership benefits

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Black and white photo of the 1960s camping and caravanning group having a picnic outside

Learn about (or look back on) the history of the Civil Service Motoring Association, now Boundless, and some of the ways we help our members live a full life

In 2018 Boundless by CSMA celebrates the 95th anniversary of bringing members together through their interests and local area, and helping them to make the most of their spare time. Take a trip with us down memory lane…

1923

On 25 January the first meeting of civil servants interested in motoring was called at the treasury by the Civil Service Sports Council, to consider the formation of an organisation for motoring. The formation of the Civil Service Motoring Association was proposed and seconded.

1923

The first general meeting took place on 27 February, CSMA’s official birthday.


Our first annual dinner – black tie optional

1924

At the end of its first year CSMA had 335 members, 165 of whom were motorcycle owners.

1927

The first issue of the club magazine, The Gazette, was produced in December.

1933

CSMA allowed Manchester Group to buy a caravan at a cost of £28 for use by members. This was the first of two caravans that members could hire for touring holidays. The second caravan was purchased in 1935 but due to excessive repair costs, both caravans were sold in 1938.

1933

The CSMA Atlas was published in four volumes in 1933-34. Each sold to members for 2/- (10p) including postage and packing. In the first year 6,800 volumes were sold when there were only 13,643 members.

1935

The Gazette started featuring advertisements for various handsomely discounted products, exclusively for members. Member testimonials were offered as proof of total product and service satisfaction. 1931 was the first year high-quality, discounted oil was sold to members, among other products.

1937

A cartoon from CSMA’s club magazine, The Gazette, illustrated the various motivations for joining among members. Today, as in the past, member participation in club activities is always encouraged.

The 1937 December issue of The Gazette

1938

CSMA-branded spark plugs became available after the Motor Trader’s Association voiced concern over CSMA-discounted sales of brand-name products. CSMA agreed to sell only own-brand items to members.

1946

CSMA’s first country club, Nun’s Acre in Goring-on-Thames, Surrey. Purchased for £17,000, the property offered war-weary members wholesome dining, comfortable rooms, lawn sports, swimming, boating and socialising with fellow members. Increased membership required a larger facility so it was sold in 1968.


The first CSMA-owned hotel, Nun’s Acre, opened in 1946

1953-55

Motor products and services from the classified section of The Gazette. Members not only benefited from CSMA-branded items but also from exclusive member discounts offered by independent retailers and services.


The Camping and Caravanning group, taken in the 1960s

1961

CSMA’s second country club. Eaves Hall, a Georgian-style Grade II listed building near Clitheroe in Lancashire, was purchased for £23,000. It catered for up to 63 overnight guests.


The team at CSMA HQ – taken between 1960-65

1974

CSMA members received discounted roadside repair and tow-home services from Auto-Speed Recovery (ASR) for only 50p per call (about to £6 in 2018 money). Unfortunately Auto-Speed folded soon after launch. Luckily, National Breakdown Recovery Club (NBRC) succeeded where ASR had failed, eventually leading to CSMA developing its own breakdown and recovery service, Britannia Rescue, in 1983.


Happy travellers: a group coach trip to Brittany, 1978

1987

The in-house CSMA Travel Service was replaced by the CSMA/Hogg Robinson Travel Desk. The new telephone booking service handled more enquiries in its first three weeks of operation than the old CSMA Travel Service handled in all of 1987.

1994

Ghyll Manor Country Hotel in Rusper, West Sussex, became CSMA’s third country club since 1946. The 17th-century house combines old-world elegance with modern convenience. Members and non-members alike can choose from a main house suite, stable mews rooms or one of seven cottages. In 1998, it was awarded Les Routiers’ Gold Key Trophy for highest standards of cuisine, housekeeping, service and warm welcome.


Ghyll Manor Country Hotel, taken in the 1990s

1994

Sherwood Forest Caravan Park, near Edwinstowe, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Deep in the heart of Robin Hood country, the lakeside park included facilities for camping and caravanning. With a handy on-site shop, children’s play areas, TV and games rooms, lake swimming, golf, bowling, scenic walks, boating and the nearby attractions of Nottingham, there was something for almost everyone.

1999

Launch of CSMA Netlink, a major new CSMA benefit for the coming millennium. With six million in the UK using the internet (four billion in 2017), CSMA saw an opportunity to provide members with unlimited internet access for an initial yearly fee of £103. Subscribers received ‘national local call access, free web space, free email, technical support, connection 14.4n 56k modems and 64K’.

1999

CSMA purchases The Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection. The museum now includes 37 motorcars, 16 motorcycles, three caravans, more than 800 enamel signs, over 30 vintage pedal cars and aeroplanes, seven galleries and thousands of items of motoring memorabilia. Since 2000 the museum has welcomed over 800,000 visitors and received numerous industry awards for excellence in visitor experience and educational achievement. In addition, CSMA has created five outstanding self-catering cottages set within the complex for member enjoyment.


The Cotswold Motoring Museum and Toy Collection

2008

Wheel Farm Cottages, near Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, North Devon, were close to beautiful coastline and feature a converted 17th-century water mill nestled on seven acres of landscaped gardens. The restored cottages offer an indoor pool, sauna, tennis court and play area for kids.

2010

Manleigh Holiday Park, near Combe Martin, North Devon, opened to offer members a fantastic variety of accommodation from log cabins and chalets to static caravans, nestled in picturesque countryside with a great on-site bar and restaurant. Manleigh and Wheel Farm were both sold in 2016.

2010

The opening of Treworgie Barton Cottages, St Glenny’s, Bude, Cornwall – another fine CSMA member benefit. Lovingly converted from stables and barns, the cottages are steeped in history and provide the perfect base for exploring the North Cornwall Heritage Coast.


Treworgie Barton Cottages near Bude, Cornwall

2013

CSMA opened Parkergate, Keswick, Cumbria. Ideally located in England’s Lake District, this collection of cottages has proved the most popular of all CSMA’s leisure sites.


Parkergate cottages in Cumbria

2016

CSMA was rebranded to ‘Boundless by CSMA’ in line with the broader scope of the charity and to help even more people make the most of their spare time.

2016

We introduced the Boundless Foundation, supporting the charities Make-A-Wish, Mind, Independent Age and Guide Dogs, and alongside this launched the Boundless Foundation Lottery, giving our members a chance to win £1,000 every week.

2017

Whitemead Forest Park had a £3m investment to expand what it offers visitors as a popular destination for camping and glamping in the heart of the Forest of Dean.

2018

We will launch our first Boundless Summer events this year – a series of open-air concerts at two of England’s most magnificent country gardens, bringing together great music and glorious surroundings.


Our Boundless Summer series of concerts will bring great music to beautiful settings

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