Snookerette League origins

[tommo III]

The earliest mention of the Gedney Hill and District Snookerette League I have found – at present - is in the Wed 19 May 1976 issue of the Fenland Citizen, where “Wisbech-based Clarkson Arms and the Railway (Guyhirn) scored maximum wins in last week's matches”.
A quick check reveals that neither venue now exists, the Clarkson closing prior to 2019...

whatpub.com/pubs/PET/402/clarkson-arms-wisbech

…….and the Railway (Guyhirn) finally in 1991...

wisbech.ccan.co.uk/content/catalogue_item/wisbech-the-railway-inn-on-west-parade-nr-horseshoe-bend

with the local Station that formerly accompanied it, along with the railway line and viaduct – disappearing off the landscape as long ago as 1982:

media.geograph.org.uk/view.php?id=1147

www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4747646

commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Guyhirn_railway_bridge_-_All_four_columns_-_geograph.org.uk_-_1736616.jpg

A mystery as to nomenclature of the leagues operating in the Fenlands is solved by this entry:

... SWAN, Parson Drove, champions of the South Holland Snookerette League in the winter, are the early leaders of the Gedney Hill Summer Snookerette League. They beat Plough B 6-4 in their latest game and are four points clear of Plough A ...
Source: Newspaper: Fenland Citizen Published: Wednesday 01 June 1988

References to ‘Fenland’ are not to be confused with “MARSHLAND SNOOKERETTE” – a completely separate league centred around Kings Lynn:

... On Sunday pub regulars at the Woo!pack. Terrington St John are playing a 12 hour bar billiards marathon starting at 10 am. Lynn man Mr Paul Talbot is organising his second car rally and treasure hunt aid of the appeal ...
County: Norfolk, England Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Tuesday 28 May 1985

... MARSHLAND SNOOKERETTE: St Johns A 10. Clippers A 2. England Hope 10; St Johns B 2. King William 12. Clarkson Arms 0. Cross Keys 6. Robin Hood 6, Clippers B 6. Victory A 6. Victory B 12, 0. Wildfowlers 4. Crown S. ...
Source: Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Tuesday 27 October 1987

There is a possibility that a league centred around Spalding existed in the 1960s (and possibly pre-war) judging by this find:

... Bar Billiards League singles champion, J. Strickland (left), and the runner-up, R. Parker, both Plough players, pictured with their awards. throughout but with five of their strongest players still to go, Rose & Crown had every reason to look assured ...
Newspaper: Spalding Guardian Published: Friday 07 May 1965

Composition of Gedney Hill // South Holland (i) throughout the 1980s and (ii) throughout the 1990s is to follow………

tommo

[tommo III]

Nov 30, 2021 14:10:19 GMT tommo III said:

Composition of Gedney Hill // South Holland (i) throughout the 1980s and (ii) throughout the 1990s is to follow………

tommo

(i) Gedney Hill 1981 Summer League comprised Plough (Farcet Fen) A & B; Dukes Head (Spalding) A & B; Red Lion (West Deeping) and (hitherto-unknown on here) Marquis of Granby (Guyhirn), Blue Bell (Hop Pole), and Hat and Feathers (Sutton St James) A & B.

1984, and South Holland Snookerette League is in full swing with the following teams: White Horse (Deepdale) A & B, Plough A & B, Swan (Parson Drove A) & B, Blue Bell and hitherto-unknown Golden Lion (Moulton) A & B and the Elizabethan Centre A & B

www.misterwhat.co.uk/company/1453777-the-elizabethan-centre-spalding

By 1986, the Blue Bell had withdrawn and the Golden Lion A & B had merged as the “Tigers”. The Golden Ball Surfleet) and the Station Inn (Holbeach) joined in 1987 and the Dukes Head in 1989 following the loss of Swan B, Tigers, Golden Ball and Station.

Meanwhile, the Marshland League (centred round Kings Lynn) was underway in 1987 with the following teams: St Johns A & B, Clippers A & B, England Hope, King William, Clarkson Arms, Cross Keys, Robin Hood & Little John, Victory A & B, Wildfowler and Crown (Outwell). By the end of the decade only the England Hope and the Cross Keys had gone, with the Buck (Tilney St Lawrence) joining.

(ii) By the end of the century, all leagues were in decline, with S.Holland and Gedney Leagues appearing to have merged into one and comprising Swan A & B, White Horse A & B, Elizabethan A & B, Dukes Head, and The Plough with one of their teams starting up at Gedney Hill Golf Club.  New team The Bridge (Wisbech St Mary) entered with two teams, one a team of Ladies !

Meanwhile, Marshland still had two England’s Hope teams, two from the Victory, one each from the Clippers Arms and the Clarkson Arms and had been joined by the Black Bear with two teams and the Blacksmiths Arms of Emneth.

[tommo III]

Three newspaper clippings from 1996:

Gedney Hill Snookerette…. Bridge Inn 2. Dukes Head B 8, Swan Inn A 8. Plough Inn B 2, Elizabethan Club 6. Gott Club B 4
Fenland Citizen Published: Wednesday 29 May 1996

ALFRED SAMS INTER-LEAGUE BAR BILLIARDS CHAMPIONSHIP Ist round, 2nd leg: Newmarket League 8. Marshland League 6 D Docking 960. S Taylor nil. P Jolly 1400. R Reeve
Fenland Citizen Published: Wednesday 29 May 1996

Marshland League will meet Sudbury League in the two-legged final of the Alfred Sams Inter- League Bar Billiards Championship.
Marshland, who beat Newmarket 16-12 to reach the final, will travel to the Brook Inn at Cornard Fenland Citizen Published: Wednesday 29 May 1996

[tommo III]

.......and South Holland had some tasty players at around the turn of the century:

 .. Big break spate SNOOKERETTE THERE was a spate of big breaks in the South Holland Snookerette League._ The highest was Bob Ground’s 2510 and 1700 for Dukes Head in his total score of 5160 while Cliff Isley made 2000 in his 4130 and Paul Stevenson 1110. ...

Newspaper: Fenland Citizen Published: Wednesday 10 December 1997



... SNOOKERETTE SOUTH HOLLAND LEAGUE Swan 8 (K Crowson 2930, S Carpenter 1930. J Chappell 2540, P Spriggs 1700, Crowson/Spriggs 2790), 5 Gott 1160. R Britton 2210. S Seal 1490, A Seal 1590. Britton/C Rose 2450): Dukes Head 6 (B Ground 5160, P Stevenson 0, ...

Newspaper: Fenland Citizen Published: Wednesday 10 December 1997


... M SNOOKERETTE Paul Stevenson had a massive 2430 break in a South Holland Snookerette League K 0 Cup match easily the highest reported in Swan are coasting along in group the week B with two good wins including a Other big breaks Bob Ground 12-0 thrasturig ...

Newspaper: Fenland Citizen Published: Wednesday 04 November 1998



.. Another team sought SNOOKERETTE GEDNEY Hill & District Summer Snookerette League is looking for a team to make the numbers to eight. The season starts on Thursday. May 20. teams to consist of at least four players. Anyone interested should contact the ...

Newspaper: Fenland Citizen Published: Wednesday 12 May 1999

[tommo III]

Nov 30, 2021 14:10:19 GMT tommo III said:

The earliest mention of the Gedney Hill and District Snookerette League I have found – at present - is in the Wed 19 May 1976 issue of the Fenland Citizen, where “Wisbech-based Clarkson Arms and the Railway (Guyhirn) scored maximum wins in last week's matches”.

It transpires that the Gedney Hill League's origins date back much further - to 1938 - which would establish it as the very first base for Snookerette in the country:

GEDNEY HILL AND DISTRICT SNOOKERETTE LEAGUE P. W. L. D. P- Shoulder of Mutton 7 5 2 0 10 The Plough 7 5 2 0 10 The Swan 7 3 0 Golden Ball 7 3 0 Wheatsheaf ...

Newspaper: Lincolnshire Free Press Published: Monday 16 January 1939

And "Marshland" (based around Kings Lynn) was around in the 1970's - further extracts to follow. 

[tommo III]

Jan 15, 2022 12:20:34 GMT tommo III said:

And "Marshland" (based around Kings Lynn) was around in the 1970's - further extracts to follow. 

MARSHLAND SNOOKERETTE League results. Wildfowler B 10. Black Horse 2; King William A 6. Swan 6; Woolpack (Walpole XK) B 10. King William B 2; Victory A 8. Woolpack (Woolpack XK) A 4; Gate A 6. New Inn (Tilney All Saints) 6; Woolpack (Terrington St John) 8, Gate B 4; Bell A 12. Wildfowler A 0; Plough 4. Bell B 8...
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 07 March 1975

... Marshland Area Snookerette League Latest results Bell A 10. Plough 2. Swan 12. Bell B 0 Gate A 12. Woolpack (Walpole XK) B 0; Victory A 6. Wildfowler B 6; Wildfowler A 4. King William B 8. Woolpack (Walpole XK) A 8. Black Horse 4. King William A...
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 26 September 1975

.. Marshland Snookerette League results Woolpack (Terrington St John)A 6. King William B 6. King William A 12. Woolpack (Walpole XK) B 0. Bell A 10. Black Horse 2. Gate A 4. Bell B 8. Plough 0. Swan 12. Wildfowler A 12. Victory B 0 Wildfowler B Woolpack (Walpole XK) A ...
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 24 October 1975

... Marshland Area Snookerette results King William A 6. Bell B 6; Bell A 12. Woolpack(Terrington St John) 0; Wildfowler A 6. Black Horse 6. Gate 6. Victory B 6; Swan 10. King William B 2. Victory A Woolpack (Walpole XK) A 12. Woolpack (Walpole XK) B 0; Wildfowler B 6 ...
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 30 January 1976

Over 200 at snookerette dinner MORE THAN 200 members and guests were present at Marshland Area Snookerette League's annual dinner and dance held at the Barn Restaurant, Sutton Bridge. . _ . Mr Bob Brooks welcomed the visitors and Mr Reg Sams presented ...
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Tuesday 15 June 1976

.. Marshland area Snookerette League results Woolpack (Terrington St John), Swan (Outwell) ;King William B 10, King William A 2; Woolpack(Walpole XK) 6. Black Horse 6; Bell B 2. Bell A 10. Wildfowler A 6. Wildfowler B 6; Victory Clenchwarton ...
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 15 October 1976

... Marshland Area Snookerette League results Bell A 10. Swan 2; King William B 12. Victory 0. Black Horse 6. Wildfowler B 6. Woolpack (Walpole XK) 4. Woolpack (Terrington St John) 8; Wildfowler A 8 King William A 4; Bell— bye KO Cup preliminary round *2nd leg results .
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 18 February 1977

.. Marshland snookerette League results in the KO Cup quarter-finals (first leg) Bell B 0. Bell A12; King William B 6. Wildfowler A 6; Wildfowler B 6. Black Horse 6; Woolpack (Terrington St John) 6. King William A 6 Mens league singles to be held at the Bell on Thursday .
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 01 April 1977

... Marshland Area Snookerette League results Bell A 12. Gate 0; Wildfowler B 8, Bell B 4; Black Horse 6. Woolpack (Terrington St John) 6; Swan 8, King William B 4; King William A 10. Woolpack (Walpole XK) A 2; Woolpack (Walpole XK) B 0, Wildfowler A 12. Victory —bye _
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 30 September 1977

... Marshland area Snookerette League results and places King William A 6. Bell B 6; Swan 12, Wildfowler A 0; Wildfowler B 12, Woo!pack (Terrington St John) 0; Victory 7, King William A 5; Bell A 8. Black Horse 4 Byes Woolpack A and B & The Gate ...
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 14 October 1977

... Marshland snookerette League results Victory 8. Bell B 4. Woolpack (Walpole XK) A 4. Black Horse 8; Wildfowler B 4. Woolpack (Walpole XK) B 8; Bell A 6, King William A 6; King William B 5 Wildfowler A 7; Swan 12 Woolpack(Terrington St John) 0; Swan Bell A PWDLPI 6501 47 ...
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 04 November 1977

... MARSHLAND SNOOKERETTE League has a new leader in the competition for high break on an away table. Ruff of the Woolpack (Walpole Cross Keys) made a break of 2670 at the Wildfowler Scores Woolpack (Terrington St John) 4. Wildfowler A 8; Victory 12. Bell B 0: Wildfowler B 4. Woolpack(Walpole XK) A 8...
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 15 February 1980

... MARSHLAND SNOOKERETTE A team from Marshland Snookerette League visited Lavenham Angel on Saturday to play a representative Newmarket and Bury SE League. Despite facing unfamiliar opponents, the team came out on top 4-3. Scores (Newmarket names first) R. Saunders NO ...
Newspaper: Lynn Advertiser Published: Friday 05 December 1980

A brief summary of the above venues:
Bell (Murrow) A & B
Black Horse (Clenchwarton)
Gate (Middleton) A & B
King William (Terrington St Clement) A & B
New Inn (Tilney All Saints)
Plough (St Johns Fen End)
Swan (Outwell)
Victory (Clenchwarton) A & B
Wildfowler (Terrington St Clement) A & B
Woolpack (Terrington St John)
Woolpack (Walpole Cross Keys) A & B

[taffy]

So much harder in those days to get things going in the countryside. a league in 1938.... makes it really early on doesn't it!

Taffy

[tommo III]

Jan 17, 2022 9:18:44 GMT taffy said:

So much harder in those days to get things going in the countryside. a league in 1938.... makes it really early on doesn't it!

Taffy

Referring to my quote thus ?

It transpires that the Gedney Hill League's origins date back much further - to 1938 - which would establish it as the very first base for Snookerette in the country:

If I possessed a time machine, one of my choices for a visit would be to the Fen District in the late 1930's (the Spalding-Kings Lynn-Wisbech triangle skirting The Wash) when it was all exciting and new:  Snookerette tables readily available; good old traditional country pubs and transport links in the form of the branch railway before Dr Beeching wielded his axe.