Radlett Lawn Tennis and Squash Club

In the early 1900’s, the Phillimore Estate, one of the 3 great Radlett Estates at the time, donated the freehold of many acres of land between the main road and Tyke’s Water to the Rugby Club and the Tennis Club, with a restrictive covenant that the land must only be used in the future for sporting and leisure purposes.

The Tennis club was certainly in existence in 1916 but little is known from then to the early 1950’s, when there were 6 grass courts and a clubhouse which was little more than a wooden hut.

Meanwhile a Squash Club existed in an old barn on Watford Road on the site of Darnhills. There was just one undersized court with magnificent king truss beams holding up the roof and catching good lob serves! Local rules were devised as to hitting or going through the gaps in the king truss!

In the early 1970’s, John Apthorp, a leading light of the squash club, and Peter Thompson, the Chairman of the tennis club, who were near neighbours in Newlands Avenue, began discussions to merge the two clubs on the existing tennis club site, and build 2 proper sized squash courts next to the tennis clubhouse. These discussions lead to the formation of Radlett Lawn Tennis and Squash Club as we know it today.

2 stand alone Bicester squash courts were built with significant financial assistance from John Apthorp and by 1977, further development was underway, again through a generous loan from Mr Apthorp, to connect the squash courts to the clubhouse, construct 2 further brick glass backed squash courts, and at the same time extend the clubhouse substantially.

Over the last 30 years the club has continued to develop rapidly, with the grass tennis courts being replaced by 6 omni surface courts, ( opened by the then MP, Cecil Parkinson on 23rd September 1983) floodlighting installed, the Banbury squash courts being refurbished and made into glass backed, and more recently the major refurbishment of the clubhouse and changing rooms. Much of this development would not have been possible without the continued financial help from Mr Apthorp to whom the club remain extremely grateful.

In the mid 1980’s the club suffered major flooding twice within 2 years, resulting in both the tennis courts and squash court floors having to be replaced – RLTSC were not popular with the insurance company !! – but it is hoped that the major works done by the Water Board upstream between Radlett and Borehamwood will prevent any further problems.

RLTSC is now a thriving local sporting facility for the people of Radlett and the surrounding area with over 900 members , and tennis and squash courts which are regarded as amongst the best in Hertfordshire. Anyone who would be interested in joining should contact the admin office on 01923 854523 or visit the web site at www.rltsc.co.uk

They will be assured of a warm welcome and enjoy many opportunities to receive coaching, take part in social tennis and squash, compete in the club leagues, and attend the many social events which are organised.

Brian Hardy, President