We date the beginnings of our Club to 1893 because it is in that year that the formation of a Club was proposed, and work was begun to set the Club in motion. 1893 is a remarkably early date for the Club’s formation because the first lawn tennis club in the world had been formed only 21 years earlier in 1872 at Leamington. The first lawn tennis was played at the All England Club in 1877, and the LTA was formed in 1888.
There is no further mention of tennis until the Committee Meeting of the Cricket Club at the Talbot Hotel, Knowle. It was unanimously decided to have a Tennis Club in connection with the Cricket Club. There is no doubt that tennis then started at Knowle.
In 1901 it is recorded that a good sum of money would have to be expended on the Tennis portion of the ground. It would appear that this was done and in 1905 there were proposals for laying 8 additional courts not all for Knowle Tennis Club.
It would appear that the whole area was originally owned by the Smyths, and sublet. Mr Tom Smith of Queensdale Farm rented his land from the Smyths, sub-let the cricket ground to the Knowle Cricket Club, who in turn let the courts to the tennis clubs; Knowle Cricket Club remains our landlord.
In 1901 it is recorded that a good sum of money would have to be expended on the Tennis portion of the ground. It would appear that this was done and in 1905 there were proposals for laying 8 additional courts not all for Knowle Tennis Club.
It would appear that the whole area was originally owned by the Smyths, and sublet. Mr Tom Smith of Queensdale Farm rented his land from the Smyths, sub-let the cricket ground to the Knowle Cricket Club, who in turn let the courts to the tennis clubs; Knowle Cricket Club remains our landlord.
There is no further mention of tennis until the Committee Meeting of the Cricket Club at the Talbot Hotel, Knowle. It was unanimously decided to have a Tennis Club in connection with the Cricket Club.
There is no doubt that tennis then started at Knowle.
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Closure of the Club proposed, but averted.
Closure of the Club proposed, but averted.
Club closed for the duration of the Second World War.
8th May 1948 Re-opening of the Club.
Three courts re-aligned and reduced to two, Courts 3 & 4 and converted from grass to all weather tarmac.
Three courts realigned, reduced to two, Courts 1&2, and converted from grass to shale. Opened by Mr Fuller Eberle.
Three courts realigned, reduced to two, Courts 1&2, and converted from grass to shale. Opened by Mr Fuller Eberle.
In 1927 Knowle Firfield had indicated that they wished to lay down hard courts, but Knowle were still playing on grass, a situation that continued with all grass courts until 1950 and the last courts converted in 1954. Our first minutes indicate that the secretary was given power to arrange for scything to be done to get courts in order for 1st May. The meeting of 20th March 1931 records that “horse and roller be hired for one day”. Groundsmen problems always seem to have been with us – 10th March 1933 “dis-satisfaction at the way Paynter had performed his duties in the post.”
Colin Starke (1926~2000) was a life member to KLTC and the treasure for nearly 20 years. His wife Audrey was the inspiration for 'Colin's Bar'.