Written by: Naney Agar, Club Secretary. November 2002

1890s: Origins

Although we have no written evidence, the Bristol Arrow Bowling Club tell us that from 1890 there were three tennis clubs and a bowling club on this site. British Rail eventually owned the land, which served as a shunting yard designated to be used as an emergency storage space in case of a war.

The tennis clubs were known as Camarvon, Redland & Glenbyrnie. The latter was an exclusive high-standard all-male club, complete with a cold shower! Carnarvon had 3 courts, Redland 4 and Glenbyrnie 2, all of which were grass until the 20s when En Tout Cas shale courts were laid - a red revolution!

There is evidence in a Redland minute book that the contractors paid compensation of £4 for damage to a grass court whilst they were laying a shale court. ln 1925, Redland paid £218 for the laying of two red shale courts.

1960s: Post War

The war caused great disruption. Glenbyrnie collapsed and B.R. took over their courts. There was a further decline in late 1960 and the B.R. club disappeared. Court rent went up dramatically from about £40 to £300 at a time when the subscription was £6. Eventually, B.R. decided to sell the land without telling any of the clubs. Whites were worn, Saturday teas, league & friendly matches and the annual tournaments were the highlights of the season. Winter play was confined to daylight hours and made hard work for the volunteers who swept the courts and drained the puddles.

Social events enlivened the winter seasons - whist drives, coffee mornings, jumble sales & a dinner dance were held to boost the funds. From 1985, a Carnarvon lady member, a qualified coach, coached children after school and Saturday mourings. A very small fee was charged and donated to the club's meagre funds.

1980s: CPTC is formed

A developer bought the site & after several years obtained planning permission, first for houses, then sheltered accommodation and eventually for a health club: Viva, now Living Well. Permission was granted on condition that the bowling green and the tennis clubs survived. Many meetings & legal consultations took place until eventually Carnarvon and Redland Lawn Tennis Club amalgamated to form the Cotham Park Lawn Tennis Club: Established 1987.

1990s: Resurfacing

The next few years were difficult with squatters settling on the car park and using the tap on No. 3 court. They used the site as a base for raiding premises and left large piles of rubbish when they were evicted. Various dens were built and others spent their time establishing new rights of way. Next came the builders - disruption & mud for months.

• 1992: After much hard work and the help of an LTA loan, and a Foundation for Sports & Arts grant, courts 3 and 4 were relaid with tarmac
• 1993: The red shale of courts 1 and 2 were upgraded and an automatic watering system was installed. A great improvement and sighs of relief from the volunteers
• 1994: Another LTA loan and overhead lights were installed on No.4. The club received an anonymous donation of £2000 from a member
• 1995: Lights on No.3. The combination of two all-weather courts and the overhead lights dramatically increased the membership between 1992 and 1996
• 1998: An LTA loan, a Lottery award and club funds raised £72,000 to lay an all-weather surface on courts 1 and 2 and install lights. Again the membership rose rapidly to the present record level
• 2000: Financed by a Lottery Mini award, the bounce-back wall was installed. Club Vision was introduced by the LTA. In consultation with the Avon County Development Officer, the club was given a rating of Grade 2. This rating recognised facilities, coaching and management

From 1987 juniors were encouraged by free membership, summer coaching, holiday play and parent supervision. The provision of all-weather courts in 1992 and a series of coaches have enabled a large number of juniors to start playing tennis. From 1997 the juniors have been charged a low subscription. The present coaching system has encouraged a high junior membership and has received a Performance rating.

During all this time, keen team play flourished. Starting with 2 Ladies and 4 Men, there are now 3 Ladies, 5 Men, 2 Veterans and several Junior teams. All we now need is an upgrade of courts 3 & 4 and the clubhouse.

Nancy Agar, Nov 2022.