Sport
Tennis Court Club
The Tennis Court Club first began negotiations to buy land in Holly Walk to build a home for what the Leamington Courier considered “this scientific and beautiful game” in 1844. Two years and many negotiations later, the courts opened instead in Bedford Street. ‘Real’ or Royal Tennis, as opposed to Lawn Tennis, is an ancient game, … Read more
Gulliman’s Golf Courses
(Wiki Commons) A. Tachbrook Road This was a 9 hole golf course owned by Dennis G Gulliman, with the idea that people could choose to play one round or pay extra to go round twice. At first it was open just three days a week, but it got so popular that it opened six days … Read more
Anyone for Tennis?
Now Royal Leamington Spa is well known for where Tennis was started and developed on the lawns of the Manor House Hotel, but how about this for a bit of history that few people appreciate took place. If you were to enter the Jephson Gardens through the main side gates on Newbold Terrace, and turn … Read more
Robert (Bob) Lee
Robert (known as Bob) Lee was born on 16th January 1938. He became a pupil of Leamington College for Boys, from 1949-1956, although he lived at Finham on the outskirts of Coventry. Norman Painting, (aka ‘Phil Archer’ of radio fame) was also a pupil at the College just before Bob was born. In his foreword … Read more
Norman Hyde – Motorcycle Land Speed Record Holder
Norman Hyde, the legendary motorcyclist from Leamington, has been honoured to mark the 50th anniversary of his land speed record. Back in 1972, Norman who lives at Radford Semele, rode his home-built Roadrunner III to a speed of 161.8mph at RAF Fairford and in doing so achieved the World Sidecar Land Speed Record – an … Read more
Eddie Hapgood
Edris Albert “Eddie” Hapgood was an English footballer, who captained both Arsenal and England during the 1930s. Eddie was born in the humble working class district of East Bristol and started his footballing career in 1926 when he was driving a horse-drawn milk cart for a living and playing football for St. Philips Adult School … Read more
Thorburns Ltd
Now based in Whiteheads Court, Thorburns is Leamington’s oldest independent male outfitters, supplying traditional and modern menswear for all ages. The business was founded by an ambitious young draper and tailor from Scotland, James Thorburn, in 1880. He opened his first shop at 46 Clemens Street, – where at that time £4 would buy you … Read more
Major Harry Gem – Pioneer of Lawn Tennis
Major Thomas Henry (Harry) Gem was born in Birmingham on the 21st of May 1819. His father was a local solicitor dealing with criminal cases and was also clerk to the Birmingham Magistrates. After studying at King’s College, London, Harry also pursued a career in the law and joined his father’s chambers in Moor Street. … Read more
Leamington Cricket Club
Leamington Cricket Club, Arlington Avenue The present Leamington cricket club was founded on 21 February 1899 at a meeting held in the Town Hall under the chairmanship of the Mayor Gordon L Bland, a patron of several local sporting associations. He became the first President of the club but soon relinquished the post in favour … Read more
William Garbutt – and Italian Footb
“The most important man in the history of Italian Football” This is an introduction to a more detailed article which can be seen when you CLICK HERE. The Daily Mail dated Friday 15th April 2016 reviewed a new football related book entitled ‘Mister’. Part way through the article there is a reference to William Garbutt, … Read more
Steeplechases
The large tracts of permanent pasture to the west and south of the new town of Leamington, formerly given over to sheep and cattle grazing since medieval times, were prime fox hunting country. Writing in 1841 the distinguished travel writer Dr Augustus Granville had this to say about Leamington … “The neighbourhood may be of … Read more
