It is believed that CLTC's history started in 1882 when the residents of Beverley Terrace approached the Duke of Northumberland's agent to use land behind their homes and opposite St George's Church (only built 8 years earlier) to form a private lawn tennis and croquet club.

In 1893 (we believe on 6th April) a 5 year lease of land in Beverley Gardens was granted by the Duke's agent to establish a private club, one lawn tennis court and one croquet lawn. A wooden pavilion comprising a central club room flanked by two changing rooms with a verandah at the front was erected in the northeast corner of the site.

The map from 1897 shows the tennis ground. Although we have no photos of the club from this early period, the images of Brown's Buildings from 1890 and the fisher-wife from 1896 give an indication of the period.

It was during this period (1820-1911) that the Cullercoats artists colony developed, the most famous artist being Winslow Homer (pictured is his 1881 painting - Inside the bar).

Also pictured is local artist Robert Jobling's 'When the heart is young' (1883).

Nationally: Queen Victoria was on the throne; Gladstone was Prime Minister (for the 4th time); the Shop Hours act had just passed limiting under 18's to no more than 74 hours work per week; Marconi would not send the first wireless transmission for another 2 years; and a labourer's weekly wage was just £1.

The probable founder of CLTC is James Sturge Rea (pictured undertaking his other favourite pursuit). He lived at 19 Beverley Terrace and was Secretary of the Tyne General Ferry Company). In 1898 he was granted a lease extension for the land on which the club stands for the sum of £5. Two years later in 1900 the first houses were constructed in Beverley Gardens.

Tennis rules have changed little since that time, but some such as only changing ends at the end of each set have changed since. Clothing however has changed. Note the pictures from 1902 and 1904.