The Club History
The first ever tennis match at the Church…
9th August 1919
A few friends in the Church formed a tennis group and played on a grass court of one of the Church members – Mr. H….
Read moreThe group get organised
4th October 1920
The group was so successful they decided to form a club. Land in Brockley Grove was loaned by Mr Wood – turf and construction was…
Read moreTennis Club Formed
4th November 1920
The Hutton & Shenfield Union Church Lawn Tennis Club was formed and the first committee meeting minutes were recorded. Here’s a copy of the first…
Read moreThe first match is played on the two courts
20th August 1921
The two courts were officially opened by the Minister, Rev. John Thomson and Mr Wood played the first game. Unfortunately the result has been lost…
Read moreMoles cause trouble
27th August 1924
Due to the rural surroundings, moles ruined the grass surface of the courts.
Read moreA special meeting is called
27th August 1925
A Special Meeting of the Club was called to consider two shale courts. Shale is a type of clay court and is a similar surface to…
Read moreHutton Tennis Club Ltd is formed
27th September 1925
Hutton Tennis Club Ltd (HTCL) – a non-profit making company was formed. The Company financed the two shale courts by a loan from the Bank…
Read moreCourts 1 and 2 completed
27th August 1926
The courts were completed and that year the Company purchased the land from Mr Wood. Here are some lovely memories collected from Rod Greig. I’m…
Read moreCourt 3 appears
27th August 1936
Land purchased for another shale court (court 3). We are incredibly lucky and thankful to have been supplied this image of Meta Watt (later Burrows)…
Read moreLand for Court 4 and 5 acquired
27th August 1954
The land for courts 4 and 5 was purchased and court 4 laid down followed by court 5 some years later. We have another photo…
Read moreWorks completed
27th August 1975
Court surround netting provided to the club for a grant of permission (by HTCL) for sewer pipe laid from pump unit in Silver Birches to…
Read moreAnd then there was light
27th April 1991
Flood lights for courts 4 and 5 were erected. Here’s an interesting news article – we think from the 1980’s (I am sure Paul Constable…
Read moreAstroturf on court 1, 2 and 3
27th October 1995
1995 was a momentous year for the club; so important with playing time upgraded (from only two courts for six months) to play on all…
Read moreCourts 4 and 5 were converted to Astroturf
27th April 1998
Courts 4 and 5 were converted to Astroturf. Remember Meta Burrows from back on this timeline? On the left below? Well here she is again…
Read moreGeneral improvements
27th August 1998
Court 4/5 area……Ground work to improve access, drainage, occupation and environment…spectator shelter…reconstruct dog-leg path…upgrade paths on three sides of courts…..soakaway drainage. Here’s the 1997 Ladies…
Read moreAnd then there was more light
27th August 2002
Floodlights on Courts 1 & 2. Realistically, the most remarkable achievement for the Club; much local opposition (Hutton Mount environment and Brockley neighbours) and previous…
Read moreMore improvements
27th August 2010
Another major development. Fencing fully replaced around all five courts. Court 1/2/3 surfaces replaced with new Astroturf, filled with rubber granules rather than sand. And…
Read moreExtended playing time
27th August 2012
Floodlights on courts 4/5 modernised with replacement lighting on taller columns. Council Permission received to extend evening playing time on courts 1 and 2 from…
Read moreCar parking facilities dramatically improved
27th August 2013
For several years, in conjunction with the Church, applications for parking restrictions in Brockley Grove were submitted. Often there were cars parked in Brockley Grove…
Read moreCourt 4 and 5 resurfaced
27th August 2014
Court 4/5 surface replaced with new Astroturf….again, remarkably having been in use for 15/16 years. The committee spend a lot of time and brain power…
Read moreSummer house and patio
27th August 2016
Another major development for the Club. Establishment of the summer house with patio and patio furniture. This provided club members with a wonderful facility for…
Read moreCovid-19 hits
23rd March 2020
Covid-19 pandemic – most club play stopped, and the club room and summer house closed from March 23rd; general adult singles play allowed again from…
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