Loddon Squash Rackets Club
A Brief History
In 1929 Mr Christopher R. Cadge had built, in the grounds of his parent’s house ( known as Bank House but later to become Farthing Green House) a squash court at a cost of £500.
Initially it had a composition floor. Soon afterwards a suspended maple floor was added resulting in a step up into the court and the various court lines on the walls having to be blacked out and repainted higher up the walls.
The court was lit by 6 screw fitting 150 watt light bulbs. This lighting was only just adequate as the walls were a light grey colour rather than white.
There was a splendid bath with a copper gas geyser to heat the water in the changing room on the left of the entrance door. Water was supplied from a large holding tank in the gallery into which all roof water was directed.
The court remained unchanged until the 1960’s.
After the Second World War a structural crack appeared in the south west corner of the building. It was alleged to have occurred as a result of a bomb being dropped not too far away.
The court was used by friends of the Cadge family and by boys from Langley School.
In the early 1960’s David Potter, then of Loddon Engineering, arranged for fluorescent tube lighting to be installed in the court.
Subsequently David Potter called a meeting of people who were using the court. They decided to form a Club with the blessing of Mr Michael Cadge who was then Chairman of the Norfolk Squash Rackets Club.
Since then the court has been managed by the Club, resulting over the years in many improvements to the court.
The court is believed to be the oldest one in Norfolk which has been in continuous use since 1929.
The Club today
The Club is presently run by a committee of 8 headed by the Chairman.
There is a Treasurer and Premises Manager and a Secretary. Committee meetings are held quarterly and there is an A.G.M. in April each year.
There are presently 52 paid up members of the Club. Single membership is £30 per annum and Family membership is £45 per annum.
The cost of using the court is £2 For a 45 minute session which is very cheap.
The Club runs two teams who play in the Waveney Leagues.
We all feel that the Club is a wonderful sporting facility to have in such a small village and we are proud that we have been able to keep the facility in existence for such a long and continuous time.