Birth of Cheltenham Skittle League

Birth of Cheltenham Skittle League pre-1920

Author: Phil Judge

The earliest records of the league at this time is 1906,when it was called 'The Cheltenham and District Skittles League' although skittle alleys are mentioned in Cheltenham in as early as 1700's. In my research I found that until the formation in 1906 of the league alleys were mainly used by the Air Gun clubs of which there were many and one of the cups played for donated by Charles Dickins and it was the major Air Gun trophy worth £25 back in 1910 (today's value £2,300.00) and records show that their members were some of the first skittlers in the league. Each team had 9 players and divided in to 3 sets of 3, each set bowled 3 hands (9 balls). There were many characters who were at the start and remained with the league until the First World War.

Beehive Inn

The Vine Inn

The Crown Inn

Back to History Menu

1907-1908

The Cheltenham and District Skittle League is believed to have started in 1906 in league formed by Charles Baker and William Leonard, but it is known that skittles has been played in Cheltenham during 1700's and the first mention of skittles alley was in 1768 situated in Albion Street somewhere to the rear of Marks and Spencer in Albion Street. This project is still 'work in progress' and may well unearth records that give an earlier date for the league. The earlier teams each set b

Work in progress

Crown Inn played friendlies against Royal Oak and Hanover Inn during the season.

Echo Saturday 15th April 1907

The Crown Inn Skittles Club paid a visit to Prestbury to play return matches with Beehive Inn and Vine Tree Inn and came off victors in both matches beating the former by 15 points and the latter by 21 points. Their record now stands won 15 and lost 5.

Echo Wednesday 19th April 1907

The Crown Skittles Club received a visit from a crack Gloucester team formed by Bob Townley of the Robin Hood but found the homesters too strong for them. The Crown winning by 5 points to 1.

The above appears to be the first recorded skittles match between Cheltenham and Gloucester teams. I don't know how the points system worked.

1908-1909

Still trying to find the final table

Echo 6th February 1909 (Sports gossip)

In the Cheltenham Skittle League, the Crown Inn beat the Vine Tree Inn, Prestbury by 11. The Royal Oak beat the Wellington by 4; and the Fountain Inn beat the Hanover Inn by 11. In a friendly the Royal Oak the Corporation by 26; and the Wellington Bar beat the Prince of Wales by 15.

Committee

President: Mr Henry Dredge

Vice President: Mr Wm. Seward

Hon. Treasurer: Mr Charles Baker

Hon. Secretary: Mr W T Leonard

Mr Henry Dredge - President

1909-1910

Echo 18th March (Sports gossip)

The matches in the Hanson Powell competition resulted in the Anchor defeating the Royal Oak by 9 pins and the Kings Head were successful by 3 pins over Working Men's Club.

Echo 16th April 1910

Cheltenham and District Skittles League

The final matches in the above competition were played on Tuesday last. The Royal Oak, who are winners of the cup, were at home to the Anchor, the visitors scoring 188 (J Staite 31) whilst the homesters easily beat their previous record (207) by scoring 228 (A Miller 33, H Smith 31, A Moxey 27, H Hughes 24, S Tibbles 24).

This is the sixth time during the season that the Royal Oak had scored over 200, no other team have quite reached the total. A very close game between the Rose and Crown (Home) and the Crown (Runners-up in the competition) resulted in a win by one pin for the homesters who scored 182 (F Stephens 30) the visitors score of 181 including 30 by C Baker. In the match between Somerset and the W.M. Club (Home) the visitors won by 20 pins - 169 to 149, A Maslin being top scorer with 31 for the winners. The Vine Tree defeated the Fountain by 28 pins. The average score of the winners of the cup for the season is 186 per match. The prizes for the league averages, medals for winning team, runners-up and the best average men in the other six teams will be presented at the annual dinner of the League the Headquarters of the winners at an early date.

In the competition for Mr JH Hanson Powell's prizes between North Ward teams the Royal Oak and the Anchor have each won five matches and the prizes for the best averages in each club have been won by H Smith (Oak); J Staite (Anchor); E Scanlon (Kings Head) and E Welch (W.M.Club)

Gloucestershire Echo 4th May 1910

There was a large and enthusiastic gathering of representatives of the various clubs at the first annual dinner of the Cheltenham and District Skittle League, held at the Royal Oak, Cheltenham on Thursday evening. The chair was occupied by the president (Mr Henry Dredge). Attention having been paid to an excellent repast, the chairman submitted the loyal toast. The toast of the evening, "Success to the Cheltenham and District Skittle League" was also given by the President in an able manner, in response to which Mr W Seward's (W.M. Club) entertaining speech was one of the features of the gathering. The Hon. Sec. (Mr W T Leonard) also briefly replied. Preceded by a few remarks, the Chairman handed the cup to the captain of the Royal Oak (Mr S Tibbles); and also presented medals to eleven members of the winning club viz Messrs. S Tibbles, G Evans, H Hughes, H Smith, H Pryer, A Moxey, A Miller, F Jones, R Jones, H Pace and W Leonard.

Medals for best averages in their respective clubs were won by Messrs. F Borite and Mr G Standen (Fountain); J Staite and S Barnett (Anchor); J Gardner and F Carter (Vine Tree); E Comfort and J Davis (Somerset); F Palmer and R Stephens (Rose and Crown); G Smith and E Welch (W.M. Club).

The recipients briefly responded, the general tone of their remarks being congratulatory to the cup winners, Mr Sam Barnett speaking of the excellent combination of the team as a whole, whilst Mr Palmer's remarks about the sportsmanlike and gentlemanly manner in which the whole of the matches were played, and the absence of any form of gambling, were highly appreciative. The hon. Treasurer of the League (Mr Baker) accepted medals for his club (The Crown) who were runners-up in the competition. The prizes for the best averages in the League matches were awarded as follows:- 1. (presented by Mr A Miller) S Tibbles; 2. (presented by Anglo-Bavarian) H Hughes; 3. (presented by Mr C Dickins) H Page - all three being members of the Royal Oak Club. The health of the President was on the proposition of Mr A Carter heartily drunk, and responded to in an interesting speech by Mr Dredge who paid a tribute to the excellent manner in which Host and Hostess Miller and their assistants had attended to the wants of the company. An excellent musical programme was gone though to Mr S Tibbles accompaniment being the recipient of a token of goodwill

1910-1911

Gloucestershire Echo 4th September 1910

The annual general meeting of the Cheltenham and District Skittle League was held at the Royal Oak on Tuesday presided over by Mr Alf Carter in the absence of the President. A satisfactory balance sheet showing a balance on the right side of 10s 11/2d was submitted by the hon. Secretary and unanimously adopted. The election of officers resulted in the re-election of the President Mr H Dredge. Hon. treasurer Mr C Baker, (Crown) and Hon. secretary Mr W T Leonard, several new clubs contemplate joining the league for coming season. The arranging of etc., was left over until next Tuesday's meeting.

Echo 15th April 1911 (sporting gossip)

In honour of their success in winning the championship of the Cheltenham and District Skittle League, the Full Moon Club were, on Wednesday evening entertained to dinner by Mr H Shaw (Showells Ltd, Birmingham). The donor presided over a company of 40, supporting him being the President of the League (Mr H Dredge) Mr W Perkins the Hon. Secretary of the League (Mr W Leonard, who is also captain of the winning team) and representatives of the majority of the affiliated clubs. An excellent repast, served in good style by Mr Harry Claxton having received due attention, a short toast list was gone through. "The Full Moon Club" was proposed by Mr Frank Bastin (Rose & Crown) and responded to by Mr W Leonard. The duel toast of "The Donor - Our Chairman" was in the hands of Mr Henry Dredge, who in eulogistic terms, voiced the opinion of all present of Mr Shaw's kindness to and interest in the doings of the club. The Chairman briefly responded and congratulated the Full Moon Club on their success in their initial year in the competition "The Visitors" were toasted on the proposition of the home captain, who specially referred to Mr Tom Crook (Tivoli) and congratulated him on his fine play during the season, which secured for him top place in the averages. The toast was responded to by Mr A Miller (Royal Oak) and Mr Ted Hogg. During the evening Mr Harry Yiend delighted the company with some first rate turns as did also Messrs MacKay (banjo) and Short (piano) others contributing to the evening a harmony being Mess E Hogg, W Leonard, G Hawker, R Dance, W Cook, F Paine, Randall, Stopforth and Sid Tibbles (accompanist). The presentation of the cup, prizes and League medals will take place at a later date.

Echo May 17th 1911 (sporting gossip)

A large gathering assembled at the Full Moon Hotel on Tuesday evening, the occasion being the presentation of cup and medals and prizes in competition with the Cheltenham and District Skittle League during the past season. The President (Mr Henry Dredge) presided. supported by Messrs. W Perkins and L Short and representatives of various clubs affiliated.

The top position in the league was gained by the Full Moon Club and the cup to the Captain of the winning team, the President congratulated the club winning a fair and interesting competition. Mr Leonard briefly replied on behalf of his fellow clubmen. The following members of the successful team were recipiences of medals presented by Mitchells and Butlers Ltd, were Messrs. W T Leonard, H Poulson, J Crisp, G Willis, W Kidd, J Coulson, W Caulbrett, H Gearett, F Rust, H Rust whilst the W.M. Club as runners-up received medals as follows :- W Cooper, A Moxey, J Austin, J Staite, ? Trigg, W Taylor, W Slye, H Smith, ? Mitchell.

As the best average player in the whole of the skittle league T Crook (Tivoli) took Mr Arthur Miller's prize, the second prize given by the President was won by ? (Royal Oak), who also secured the gold medal given by Mr Chas. Dickins for the best average in away matches (21.41). The third prize given by Anglo-Bavarian Brewery Co. was secured by W James (White Swan). The first two best average players in the remain-ing eleven teams gained medals as follows:- F Stephens and A Player (Rose and Crown), T Crook and J Seymour (Tivoli), G Evans and S Tibbles (Oak), T Wheatcroft and W Lett (Fountain), F Boreham and P Barnfield (Somerset), F William and F Bridgeman (Crown), W James and A Pike (Swan), G Stubbs and H Locke (Anchor), J Grinham and J Harrison (Vine), W Stevens and A Woodward (Prestbury), R Hobbs and J Bridges (Wellington). A first rate musical programme was gone through including contributions by Harry Yiend, Mr Harry Poulson, Messrs. Mcakay and Short and many others.

Mr A Miller gave details of a movement initiated to acknowledge in a tangible form the ? Of the Hon. League Secretary (Mr W Leonard). Vote of thanks to the Chairman and donors of prizes and acknowledgement of the kindness of the proprietors of the Echo' for reports of the proceedings during the season concluded a very enjoyable evening.

Other teams that seem to be from a church league with Emmanuel v Parish are mentioned in the 'Echo'

The Emmanuel Skittles team of 1911 - Not members of the Cheltenham League under that name but may have been in a church league

1911-1912

Committee

President: Mr Henry Dredge

Vice President: Mr Wm. Seward

Hon. Treasurer: Mr Charles Baker

Hon. Secretary: Mr W T Leonard

Some of the Cheltenham Landlords of 1912 on a trip to visit Cirencester

Echo April 3rd 1912 (sport gossip)

The members and a few friends of the Kings Head Skittle Club sat down to a well-served rep. On Wednesday evening at the invitation of Host and Hostess Sharp, the occasion being the winding up of the season and the presentation of prizes for the best averages. The League Secretary presided over a company of about thirty and on behalf of the club handed the awards to the successful competition as follows:- 1st O Berry (Captain) 2nd J Spencer, 3rd A Galloway. An excellent musical programme was contributed in by Messrs. F Payne, W Willis, W Cook, S Wells, Preston, G Cadle, F Marshall and S Tibbles (accompanist) whilst Miss D Sharp rendered a couple of pleasing songs. The toast of "The Skittle Club" and "Host and Hostess" were heartily drunk, and a very pleasant evening concluded with the usual vote of thanks.

Echo April 1912 (sport gossip)

A great deal of interest was manifested in the meeting on the Tivoli Alley on Tuesday evening, between the homesters and the Royal Oak, the issue of which determined the championship of the Cheltenham and District Skittle League. Much keenness was shown by the respective players and a close and exciting contest was seen in which the homesters secured the verdict by a single pin and consequently by a single point the top honours in a competition which has throughout been very open. The visitors took the lead in the opening three by one pin, following this up with the same margin by second three players. The final three put together a useful 60, which left the Tivolians with a total of 63 to bring about success and this with good finishing touches by O Williams and Tommy Crock,* they just managed to negotiate amidst some excitement. A detailed report of the final matches of the competition will appear in the "Football Echo" on Saturday next.

Tommy Crock was landlord of the Tivoli Inn 1919-27

Echo May 1912

The presentation of cup and medals won in connection with the Cheltenham and District Skittle League made by Mr Lowther (Luther) Short at a smoker held at the Tivoli Inn on Tuesday evening, which was largely attended nearly every club in the League being represented. The League winners, the Tivoli formally took possession of the challenge cup, and the following members of the winning team received medals :- Messrs. J Seymour (Captain) T Crock, J Bushell, F Arther, O Williams, J "Petrol", J Hereford, F Brown, D Thomas, C Hall and J Corbett; while the runners-up medals were handed to the following members of the Royal Oak team who were beaten by a single point of the championship :- Messrs. S Tibbles (Captain), R Jones, H Pryer, A Miller, J Gardiner, H Hughes, G Kidd, F Jones and G Evans. The gold medal for the best average in away matches was awarded to G Standen (Fountain) the same player taking the same prize for the best average in all matches, while the second prize in the latter connection went to R Jones (Royal Oak) and the third to A Leach (Anchor), F Stephens and A. Martin (Crown) shared the prize given for the highest individual score in League matches. In additional to the foregoing medals were also awarded to the following for winning the averages in their respective clubs:-

Messrs. E Ward and G Stubbs (Anchor)

F Baite and G Baker (Adam)

W and F Taylor (W.M. Club)

H Fry and W James (Swan)

B Vick and F Palmer (Prince)

R Dyson and J Thatcher (Wellington)

G Berry and J Spencer (Kings Head)

R Poulson and J Crisp (Moon)

F Boreham and A Player (Somerset)

A Martin and G Hawtin (Crown)

G Standen and A Wiening (Fountain)

W Smith and P Young (Angles Stores)

J Grinsham and H Smith (Vine )

F Stephens and F Williams (Rose and Crown)

Gloucestershire Echo 16th. May 1912

A company of about 60 sat at the Working Men's Club, High Street, Cheltenham on Wednesday evening, the occasion being the annual supper of the skittle club connected with the institute. The chair was taken by Mr W Bridgen (president), who was supported at the top table by Messer's A Everett (secretary), W Piff (treasurer), W Leonard (secretary of the Cheltenham and District Skittle League), E C Davis, A J Miller, P Peters, Frank Hopkins, Alf Carter and W Seward. There were the usual post-pyramidal speeches and the evenings programme was pleasantly interdisposed with songs etc. Mr A Everett proposing the toast of "The Club and the Skittle Team" referred to the way in which both were managed. He said that the skittle team had done much to raise the status of the club itself, and he praised the efforts of the Cheltenham and District Skittle League for the way they had afforded a means of innocent and profitable amusement. Mr W Leonard supported the toast and congratulated the club on the satisfactory show they made in the League competition. Response was made by the captain and secretary, Mr J Austin and Mr A Everett respectively. Several others toasts were honoured including that of "The President" and "Donors to the Supper Fund" the latter chiefly comprising tradesmen of the locality through whose generosity the spread is provided to members gratis. Mr Arthur J Miller submitting this toast, spoke in flattering terms of the energies of the president to promote the welfare of the club, and said that in satisfactory position was due largely to his individual efforts. Mr Miller also thanked the donors who, he said, had responded most liberally to the appeal made to them. The President acknowledged the toast, which was accorded musical honours, and in the course of his response incidentally referred to the Bill recently introduced into Parliament which proposes to amend the law governing clubs. While not wanting to introduce anything of a political nature, he expressed his opinion that something should be done to counteract the affects such proposals would have if they assumed definite shape. Clubs must raise above the level of an ordinary drinking saloon, and he claimed that the club under whose auspices they met that evening could not be placed in the latter category, thanks to the skittle team. The evening's harmony was contributed to by Messrs. S Tibbles (pianist), C Sly, A Carpenter, Castle Brothers, Bridgen, Welsh, A Everett, W Leonard and G Moxey.

W Bridgen was President of the Working Mens Club Skittles Team.

This photograph was taken when playing Bowls for Norwood Bowls Club

Landlord of the Full Moon who were Champions that season in 1911-12

1912-1913

Committee

President Mr Luther Short

Vice President. Mr Wm. Seward

Hon. Treasurer Mr Charles Baker

Hon. Secretary Mr W T Leonard

Asst. Secretary Mr F Bridgeman*

*Captain of the Hanover

Cheltenham 1913

Echo 24th May 1913 (sporting gossip)

The Hanover Skittle Club familiarly known as the Oxo' team concluded season 1912-13 by sitting down to supper at Headquarters, where they were joined by a few friends in a gathering nearly forty strong, presided over by the Hon. Secretary of the League (Mr W T Leonard). After an excellent display of knife and fork drill and the toasting of the Royal Family. "The Hanover Club" was proposed in a humorous vein by Bill Seward Vice-President) and supported by the Chairman. Response came from the club captain (Mr F Bridgeman), asst. secretary of the League and Host Mr C Baker (hon. treasurer and founder of the League), who obtained second place in the seasons averages. During the evening harmony was contributed by Messer's F Kear, Cliff Davis, L Fry, E Welch, W Seward, C Baker, B Crowther, G Prewer etc., the proceedings terminating with the usual thanks to the ladies who had assisted and the chairman. Mr S Tibbles officiated at the piano.

Echo 28th. May 1913

Cheltenham & District Skittle League - PRESENTATION OF CUP AND MEDALS

The remarkable growth in popularity of the Cheltenham & District Skittle League was plainly shown in amount of playing members of the various clubs comprised therein who attended the function of presenting the cup and medals at the Royal Hotel, High Street on Tuesday evening. A couple of hours in a hot room on such an evening as Tuesday would not appeal to the majority of people, skittlers are nothing if not enthusiastic, and a company of upwards of 120 put up with the discomfort the heat was responsible for, and attended to do honour to those who had achieved sufficient to gain the prizes. Mr Luther Short, the popular president, was regrettably prevented from attending, but Mr W Seward (vice-president) made an excellent deputy. He made a very important announcement in the course of the evening, one which was hailed with considerable satisfaction by skittlers, who have said some unkind things about the 'pot' which has so far been completed for as the challenge trophy. He informed the meeting that Mr Charles Dickins the local well-known tradesman had offered to present to the league the silver cup which once belonged to the old Air Gun League, and promised, if his offer was accepted, to have the same re-engraved. Doubtless, as the Chairman remarked, the committee will have no hesitation in accepting. The cup in question is a very handsome piece of workmanship, and originally cost 25 guineas. After this interesting announcement the prizes were distributed, and appended is a complete list of the recipients :- Winners of the League Cup and Medals (Latter given by Mitchells and Butlers, Ltd.)

Royal Oak Club Played 38 Won 29 Lost 9 Points 58

Players averages:-

Played Pins Average

S Tibbles 38 866 22.78

H Hughes 38 817 21.50

W Leonard 38 811 21.24

A Miller 36 766 21.26

F Carter 27 571 21.15

G Evans 37 776 20.97

J Gardiner 34 700 20.58

R Jones 37 758 20.48

A Leach 36 714 19.83

E Welch 21 402 19.14

These are the only players to represent the club in the whole of the matches. In away matches the majority of the above players averaged over 20 per match

Runners-up :- Anchor Club.

Played 38 Won 25 Lost 12 drawn 1 Points 51

Medal winners:- A Bunston, J Staite, H Page, S Barnett, H Locke, E Ward, A Riser, E Butler, J Tapp, G Curtis, H Herbert

Winners of medals for the best club averages:

Rose and Crown A Cox, J Mour

Hanover C Baker, A Nottingham

Somerset G Merrett, H Keylock

Prince of Wales A W Ryder, J Ryder

Angle Stores T Small, F Young

Full Moon J Crisp, R Dance

Tivoli F Davis, C Wilks

Vine F Taylor, G Taylor

Adam and Eve J Williams, L Lockey

White Horse J Baldwin, R Parslow

Crown H Sache, J Harris

W.M. Club G Brewer, G Stubbs

Kings Head O Berry, F Playdell

Albion T Roach, W Pearson

Wellington J Butler, A Dyson

White Swan P Gardiner, H Pike

Fountain A Lewis, H Williams

Talbot S Dyer, A "Goodun"

In the course of the evening various members of the company contributed songs, etc., and a most convivial time was spent. Mr Sid Tibbles was at the piano. Votes of thanks were accorded at the end of the evening to Mr. Robinson (Foster Bros.) for prizes and fixture cards, and to the Chairman for presiding.

Highest average home and away minimum 30 matches:

1 S Tibbles (Royal Oak) 22.78 (Prize by President)

2. C Baker (Hanover) 22.01(Prize given by Stroud Brewery Co.

3. H Hughes (Royal Oak) 21.50 (Prize given by Anglo-Bavarian)

Highest average for away matches, minimum 15:

1. G Prewer (W.M. Club) (Gold medal given by Mr Chas. Dickins)

2. A Lansdown. (Rose and Crown) (Prize by Flowers Brewery Co).

3. F Taylor (Vine Tree) (Prize by Flowers Brewery Co).

All matches home and away matches: B Sache (Crown) (Prize given by Showell Brewery Co.)

Highest individual score: J Harris (Crown) 36 Prize: bottle of whisky given by Messrs Bartholomew.

This was the first major cup given to the league in May 1913 and was the trophy for Cheltenham Air Rifle League. The air rifle clubs used the skittle alleys but it appears that the increase of skittles teams using the alleys the air rifle clubs declined. The trophy was valued at 25 guineas at that time. Sadly the trophy was only presented to one team, the Royal Oak before the outbreak of the First world war.

1913-1914

It was until recently accepted that the league formed in August 1938 but would appear that the league was reformed on that date. The teams mentioned in this article are the teams in the main the same as in 1938. The article shows that the league had been going before 1910, Further research is now being under taken.