1893 ~ The History of
Knowle Lawn Tennis Club

In 2007 Derek Walkerdine wrote a book which traced the history of Knowle Lawn Tennis Club. The book is not only an insightful history of our tennis club but it is also offers a fascinating social history that touches on the rise of clubs and recreational activities for the lower classes in the late Victorian era.
You can read the full book here >>

1st March 1893
1st March 1893

The idea was born...

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.

23 April 1897
23 April 1897

Tennis being played

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.

1905
1905

New grass courts laid.

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.

1901 - 1905
1901 - 1905

MONEY INVESTED...

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.

23, April 1897
23, April 1897

The CRICKET club says yes!!!

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.

1897
1897

Tennis being played.

text to find

1905
1905

New grass courts laid

text to find

1930
1930

Closure of the Club proposed

Closure of the Club proposed, but averted.

1935
1935

Pavilion replaced

Closure of the Club proposed, but averted.

5th May 1941 ~ 8th May 1948
5th May 1941 ~ 8th May 1948

Pavilion replaced

Club closed for the duration of the Second World War.

8th May 1948 Re-opening of the Club.

1950
1950

Pavilion replaced

Three courts re-aligned and reduced to two, Courts 3 & 4 and converted from grass to all weather tarmac.

1954
1954

Pavilion replaced

Three courts realigned, reduced to two, Courts 1&2, and converted from grass to shale. Opened by Mr Fuller Eberle.

1954
1954

Courts converted to shale

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.”

10th March 2001
10th March 2001

Colin's Bar opens

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'.