Difference between revisions of "The Indoor Tennis Court"

Latest revision as of 11:50, 2 July 2024

The current Wimbledon stars played here as guests of Mr and Mrs Harold Carter of 'Grymsdyke' before WW2

The old indoor tennis court. Photo taken circa 1990 long after it's days as a tennis court.

Research by Joan West to 1946, continued by Miles Marshall. Also a report by Winnie Wood (Mrs Stan Rixon) and a letter from Liz Lewin of Hambe Close in 2021

THE INDOOR TENNIS COURT was a unique building to find in a small rural village

THE SITE. The land upon which the Reverend William Robson’s indoor tennis court was built had been allotted in the Enclosures of Princes Risborough in 1823 to Joseph Floyd. It was already an old freehold enclosure

31^st December 1901. Conveyance. The Reverend William Robson purchased from Mary Grace, an orchard, previously part of the land belonging to Joseph Floyd.

INDOOR TENNIS COURT. William Robson cleared the land and erected an indoor tennis court, for the personal use of him and his wife. Measuring 35.5 metres by 61 metres, it was constructed in brick with skylights in the roof. The wooden floor was ‘sprung’ made of narrow boards to a very high standard and painted green with a special non-slip surface. Due to their poor health it became unused and fell into disrepair.

The Tennis Court was purchased from William Robson by Harold Carter. Click Harold Edward & Eliza Carter for more

The Carters lavishly restored the tennis court. They entertained the current Wimbledon stars, many playing on the court.

CONVERTED in WW2. During WW2 Harold Carter transferred his business, Carters Merchants Ltd, an import and export company, from the City of London to the tennis court in Lacey Green.

REPORT by WINNIE WOOD, later Mrs STAN RIXON (click Stan & Winnie Rixon for their own life story.) My sister had worked for Carters Merchants Ltd, in the City of London, an import and export company. The Carter family had bought Grymsdyke House some years before. They also owned the indoor tennis court built by ex-vicar William Robson in Church Lane. Mr Carter, the chairman of the company, decided to transfer the business to Lacey Green for the duration of the war. He converted the tennis court into staff accommodation and offices.

Dormitories either end for single men and single women, and offices in the middle, also a kitchen and dining room. It was the end of the building’s prestigious life as a tennis court.

JOB ACCEPTED. Phyllis Adams (click Bill & Phyllis Dell) also worked there and when I came to visit my sister, accommodation was found for me with Phyllis`s parents, Min & Fred Adams, who were very friendly people and made me very welcome. I stayed there several weeks. At this time it was difficult for companies to get staff and I was offered a job with Carters. I decided to accept, never thinking that I would still be in Bucks 70 years later.

A FALSE CEILING. As you can imagine the tennis court had a very high roof. The source of heat was mainly electric and paraffin oil heaters so most of that rose and went out through the roof. A false ceiling was eventually put in and things improved a great deal.

OTHER ACCOMODATION. The few married couples rented houses in the village or rooms in peoples’ houses and the rest of us shared a cottage at the end of the drive. Every room was a bedroom and we still had our food cooked in the tennis court kitchen. Being the junior I was allocated the last room left which was originally a walk-in pantry, just room for a camp bed and it was quite damp. One of the older girls left soon after and I was able to share a room with my sister

1939 CENSUS

The Tennis Court, c/o H E Carter, 26 employees

Garden Cottage 2, later 5 employees. (This was not Court Cottage)

MILES MARSHALL TAKES UP THE STORY

PRE WW2 TENNIS

Eric Boorman (click Eric & Jessie Boorman) whose father Charles Boorman was Head Gardener to Carter at Grymsdyke and lived in the gardener’s cottage, remembers the court well as a splendid place to play tennis. It was very well appointed with both ladies’ and gentlemen’s washing and changing facilities, but had a tiresome echo. He was allowed to play himself when the family were not using the court. Mrs Church, who until her marriage lived with her parents, the Brown’s, at The Crown, clearly remembers this echo which could be heard inside the Inn. She has helped me with much detail in this story… The Carters often held tennis parties and would entertain the current Wimbledon stars such as Hellen Jacobs.

WORLD WAR 2

It was of course the last war that put a stop to all the tennis when Mr Carter evacuated his staff from the City of London to Lacey Green. He built an air raid shelter for the staff near Court Cottage. Mrs Winnie Rixon, wife of Stan Rixon writes about working there very clearly (see above). cli

TELEGRAM DELIVERY

It was some time before Mr Carter could get the telephone laid on to the Court and old Mr Ridgley, the Post Master from Speen, with his long white beard, could be seen daily walking to Lacey Green with the firm’s telegrams.

-

After the war Carters Merchants returned to the City and once again the Court fell silent.

JOHN’s,THE BAKERS The old Tennis Court was purchased by John’s the bakers in High Wycombe, but still lay vacant.

PREMISES WANTED. click Austin Hoy Ltd to continue the story of the indoor tennis court by Miles Marshall

Following Austin Hoy Ltd, Gyproc of Rochester, and Palmer and Harvey Ltd took the premises before it was eventually replaced by houses

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''''Research by Joan West to 1946, continued by Miles Marshall. Also a report by Winnie Wood (Mrs Stan Rixon) and a letter from Liz Lewin of [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Hambe_Close Hambe Close] in 2021'''''
+'''The current Wimbledon stars played here as guests of Mr and Mrs Harold Carter of 'Grymsdyke' before WW2'''
+[[File:Old Tennis Court.jpg|thumb|The old indoor tennis court. Photo taken circa 1990 long after it's days as a tennis court.]]
+''Research by Joan West to 1946, continued by Miles Marshall. Also a report by Winnie Wood (Mrs Stan Rixon) and a letter from Liz Lewin of [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Hambe_Close Hambe Close] in 2021''
 '''THE INDOOR TENNIS COURT'''  was a unique building to find in a small rural village
@@ Line 5: / Line 7: @@
 '''THE SITE.'''   The land upon which the Reverend William Robson’s indoor tennis court was built had been allotted in the Enclosures of Princes Risborough in 1823 to Joseph Floyd.   It was already an old freehold enclosure
-'''31<sup>st</sup> December 1901.   Conveyance.'''   The Reverend William Robson purchased from Mary Grace, an orchard, previously part of the land belonging to Joseph Floyd.
+'''31<sup>st</sup> December 1901.   Conveyance.'''   The [[Reverend William Robson]] purchased from Mary Grace, an orchard, previously part of the land belonging to Joseph Floyd.
 '''INDOOR TENNIS COURT.'''   William Robson cleared the land and erected an indoor tennis court, for the personal use of him and his wife.   Measuring 35.5 metres by 61 metres, it was constructed in brick with skylights in the roof.   The wooden floor was ‘sprung’ made of narrow boards to a very high standard and painted green with a special non-slip surface.   Due to their poor health it became unused and fell into disrepair.
-'''HAROLD CARTER''' had purchased ‘Grymsdyke’ in 1922, the same year that William Robson retired to Cheltenham.   The Tennis Court was purchased from William Robson by Harold Carter.   Click [[Harold Edward & Eliza Carter]] for more
+The Tennis Court was purchased from William Robson by Harold Carter.   Click [[Harold Edward & Eliza Carter]] for more
 The Carters lavishly restored the tennis court.  They entertained the current Wimbledon stars, many playing on the court.
-'''CONVERTED in WW2'''
+'''CONVERTED in WW2.'''   During WW2 Harold Carter transferred his business, Carters Merchants Ltd, an import and export company, from the City of London to the tennis court in Lacey Green.
-During WW2 Harold Carter transferred his business, Carters Merchants Ltd, an import and export company, from the City of London to the tennis court in Lacey Green.
+'''REPORT by WINNIE WOOD, later Mrs STAN RIXON'''   (click [[Stan & Winnie Rixon]] for their own life story.)    My sister had worked for Carters Merchants Ltd, in the City of London, an import and export company.   The Carter family had bought [[Grymsdyke]] House some years before. They also owned the indoor tennis court built by ex-vicar William Robson in Church Lane.   Mr Carter, the chairman of the company, decided to transfer the business to Lacey Green for the duration of the war.   He converted the tennis court into staff accommodation and offices.
-'''REPORT by WINNIE WOOD, later Mrs STAN RIXON   click [[Stan & Winnie Rixon]] for their own life story                                                                                                                                         '''        My sister had worked for Carters Merchants Ltd, in the City of London, an import and export company.   The Carter family had bought Grymsdyke House in 1922. They also owned the indoor tennis court built by ex-vicar William Robson in Church Lane.   Mr Carter, the chairman of the company, decided to transfer the business to Lacey Green for the duration of the war.   He converted the tennis court into staff accommodation and offices.
 Dormitories either end for single men and single women, and offices in the middle, also a kitchen and dining room.  It was the end of the building’s prestigious life as a tennis court.
-'''JOB ACCEPTED.'''   Phyllis Adams also worked there and when I came to visit my sister, accommodation was found for me with Phyllis`s parents, Fred and Minnie Adams, who was a very friendly person and made me very welcome.  I stayed there several weeks.   At this time it was difficult for companies to get staff and I was offered a job with Carters.   I decided to accept, never thinking that I would still be in Bucks 70 years later.
+'''JOB ACCEPTED.'''   Phyllis Adams (click [[Bill & Phyllis Dell]]) also worked there and when I came to visit my sister, accommodation was found for me with Phyllis`s parents, [[Min & Fred  Adams]], who were very friendly people and made me very welcome.  I stayed there several weeks.   At this time it was difficult for companies to get staff and I was offered a job with Carters.   I decided to accept, never thinking that I would still be in Bucks 70 years later.
 '''A FALSE CEILING.'''   As you can imagine the tennis court had a very high roof.   The source of heat was mainly electric and paraffin oil heaters so most of that rose and went out through the roof.   A false ceiling was eventually put in and things improved a great deal.
@@ Line 37: / Line 37: @@
 '''PRE WW2 TENNIS'''
-Eric Boorman, whose father [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Charles_Boorman Charles Boorman] was Head Gardener to Carter at Grymsdyke and lived in the gardener’s cottage, remembers the court well as a splendid place to play tennis.   It was very well appointed with both ladies’ and gentlemen’s washing and changing facilities, but had a tiresome echo.   He was allowed to play himself when the family were not using the court.   Mrs Church, who until her marriage lived with her parents, the Brown’s, at [[The Crown]], clearly remembers this echo which could be heard inside the Inn.   She has helped me with much detail in this story… The Carters often held tennis parties and would entertain the current Wimbledon stars such as Hellen Jacobs.
+Eric Boorman (click [[Eric & Jessie Boorman]]) whose father [https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Charles_Boorman Charles Boorman] was Head Gardener to Carter at [[Grymsdyke]] and lived in the gardener’s cottage, remembers the court well as a splendid place to play tennis.   It was very well appointed with both ladies’ and gentlemen’s washing and changing facilities, but had a tiresome echo.   He was allowed to play himself when the family were not using the court.   Mrs Church, who until her marriage lived with her parents, the Brown’s, at [[The Crown]], clearly remembers this echo which could be heard inside the Inn.   She has helped me with much detail in this story… The Carters often held tennis parties and would entertain the current Wimbledon stars such as Hellen Jacobs.
 '''WORLD WAR 2'''
-It was of course the last war that put a stop to all the tennis when Mr Carter evacuated his staff from the City of London to Lacey Green.    He built an air raid shelter for the staff near [[Court Cottage]].   Mrs Winnie Rixon, wife of Stan Rixon  writes about working there very clearly (see above).   click Stan & Winni
+It was of course the last war that put a stop to all the tennis when Mr Carter evacuated his staff from the City of London to Lacey Green.    He built an air raid shelter for the staff near [[Court Cottage]].   Mrs Winnie Rixon, wife of Stan Rixon  writes about working there very clearly (see above).   cli
 '''TELEGRAM DELIVERY'''
@@ Line 47: / Line 47: @@
 It was some time before Mr Carter could get the telephone laid on to the Court and old Mr Ridgley, the Post Master from Speen, with his long white beard, could be seen daily walking to Lacey Green with the firm’s telegrams.
-'''AUSTIN HOY’S £50 REWARD'''
+-
-After the war Carters Merchants returned to the City and once again the Court fell silent.
-'''JOHN’s THE BAKERS'''
-The old Tennis Court was purchased by John’s the bakers in High Wycombe, but still lay vacant.
-'''PREMISES WANTED.   £50 REWARD'''
-Austin Hoy Ltd, a Canadian mining company, seeking a small factory in Buckinghamshire, advertised a reward of £50 to anyone who could put them on to a suitable premises.   A Wycombe butcher claimed the reward for suggesting the Lacey Green Covered Tennis Court.
-'''AUSTIN HOY’S ENGINEERING BUSINESS'''
-Austin Hoy had urgent Government contracts to make coal – cutting ‘jibs, chains and sprockets’ for the mines.   It was a time when Britain was striving for economic recovery and coal was a number one priority.
-'''STAFF'''
-Mr W. A. Syme, now in 1986, a sprightly 84 year old, living in Princes Risborough, was employed to lay out the works, install the machinery and engage the staff.   He told me that he went from house to house in the village and took on many well - known local men.   A large canteen was built for the staff.   When Austin Hoy’s business outgrew the Tennis Court they moved to Saunderton where they are now under the Anderson Strathclyde banner.
-'''GYPROC of ROCHESTER'''
-The old ‘Court’ was next taken over by Gyproc, manufacturers of plasterboard, though it was only their Contracts Department that came to Lacey Green, supplying and erecting partitions and suspended ceilings, so only stores and offices came here.
-'''PALMER & HARVEY'''
-In 1965 Gyproc sold to J. K. Taylors of High Wycombe, a much respected manufacturer of old fashioned boiled sweets.   Several members of the Taylor family had been Mayors of Wycombe in their time.   Like many businesses it became part of a much larger concern, Palmer and Harvey Ltd, whose speeding red vans are a daily reminder of the industrial heart of our once rural village.
-'''APRIL 1986. COMMENT IN HALLMARK. - PALMER AND HARVEY TO CLOSE'''
-We had no idea that Palmer & Harvey were to close, last time when we featured the history of the premises.   It’s only a rumour, but if planning application is submitted for houses on the site, it will be a sad end to the old tennis court.  It’s not a pretty building, but very much part of old Lacey Green and an accepted building doing a very useful job in supplying jobs for village people.   So if anyone asked us what is best for the community – 20 new houses or 20 local jobs – we should have no hesitation in saying the latter.
-'''PLANNING APPLICATION'''
-In 1991, in need of repair, a planning application was made to demolish the building and build houses on the site.
+'''After the war Carters Merchants returned to the City and once again the Court fell silent.'''
-'''PLANNING PERMISSION'''
+'''JOHN’s,THE BAKERS'''   The old Tennis Court was purchased by John’s the bakers in High Wycombe, but still lay vacant.
-Palmer and Harvey applied for planning permission to demolish the old indoor tennis court and to replace with housing
+'''PREMISES WANTED.'''  click [[Austin Hoy Ltd]] to continue the story of the indoor tennis court by Miles Marshall
-The numerous letters sent to and published in Hallmark following the Planning Application are printed under '[https://laceygreenhistory.com/w/index.php/Hambe_Close Hambe Close]'{{Property}}
+Following Austin Hoy Ltd, Gyproc of Rochester, and [[Palmer and Harvey Ltd]] took the premises before it was eventually replaced by houses

Difference between revisions of "The Indoor Tennis Court"

From Lacey Green History

Latest revision as of 11:50, 2 July 2024