CLUB HISTORY
1990 - 1999
In 1991 the Abbey Challenge Cup at Southwick was won for the third successive year by a RTWCC player - this time John Hobbs. Peter Howell became National Veteran Champion. Elaine Dell, Hon. President and one of the club's founder members, dies.
1992 was another good year for competitive play for both the club and club's members. RTWCC enters the SECF Association Team Doubles event for the first time and wins! Representing the club were Peterand Audrey Howell, Clive Horton and John Hobbs. Clive Horton won three individual events (at Southwick, Ramsgate and Compton) and was runner up in the All-England Area Final. Mick Belcham, John Hobbs and Audrey Howell all win individual events.
In 1994, the Council offered the under-used tennis courts in
Calverley Grounds and the club took over three lawns as from 1st
May 1994, paying a peppercorn rent and thereafter taking on the
responsibility of building a clubhouse and maintaining the
lawns.
Work on the clubhouse commenced on 17th August 1994 and was opened by TV personality Jilly Goolden on 3rd June 1995, in the presence of the Mayor and Mayoress, heralding a new era for the club.
[The cost of the club-house was donated by Hazel Moss-Davis (some £30,000!) and the carpets provided/laid by Calverley Carpets. The Minutes for the AGM also note that bureaucracy, building and planning regulations had resulted in a cost increase of £4,000.]
Here's what Calverley Grounds looked like in 1930 (our club house looks almost in the same place, as are the tennis courts which we used!), courtesy of http://www.britainfromabove.org.uk
With the new facilities the club enters the SECF U league for the first time in 1995 (but loses all matches) and runs a SECF One Ball Tournament. Membership reaches 40 for the first time, together with much publicity due to the opening of the club house. Also the Lustau Sherry company donates a trophy, but sadly not their products in subsequent years. We also receive the Apps Heley award by the Croquet Association for the most improved club in the country.
In September 1996 a party of French tourists visit the club. The club wins the SECF Association Doubles Tournament for the second time and we run the Kent Championship Tournament.
1997 sees two visits by French tourists, together with our first one by Headway, and also our first two-day tournament. The club runs the Kent Cup again, this time triumphing with Alex Jardine as the winner and Peter Howell as runner-up.
The club enters both the SECF B and U leagues for the first time in 1998, coming runners-up in the B league. We host a visit by the Rotary Club, but not by the French sadly. Honour Boards are erected by John Hobbs (and should last 30 years).
1999 shows many wins by club members at external tournaments, including Miriam Reader and Peter Howell as runners-up in the National Veterans Doubles. Golf Croquet sessions introduced on Wednesday afternoons.
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