THE MIRACLE OF ABRIDGE by LIONEL ACTON

From a cold standing start in March, 1962, to a completely new Club House and an 18 Hole Course ready for informal play in April, 1964 – such is the compass of the achievement detailed herein.

FIRST SIGHT OF THE LAND

Sunday, 11th March, 1962 was a cold and wet day as a handful of local Golf enthusiasts – Lionel Acton, Dave Baskin, Basil Coleman, Sam Pranks and Leslie Levene – trudged up a muddy track at Skinners Farm, Abridge until they came to a spot not far from where the Club House is at present situated; they looked around at the undulating fields over-looking the peaceful Roding Valley and they realised that there, at long, long last, might be the answer to the dream of their own Golf Club.

In the scramble to build golf courses that occurred before and shortly after the First World War, the N.E. Suburbs had been left behind and with admission to the new local Clubs impossible, whether due to full memberships, (or other reasons), local golfers could only find playing facilities at the Public Courses at Hainault. With newcomers turning to the game in increasing numbers after the War these facilities became strained to breaking point and even the most dedicated stalwart was having his enthusiasm tested at the prospect of turning out at 6 a.m. on a Sunday morning in order to play a round taking 4 or 5 hours. So it was in the grey light of early dawn whilst on the first tee at Hainault, and in the interminable waits that occurred before each subsequent shot could be played that the dream was conceived of a new Golf Club.

THE SOUTH ESSEX JEWISH GOLFING SOCIETY

The first practical step was taken on the 9th September, 1959, when a meeting was held at The Waverly Hotel, Ilford. This resulted in the formation of The South Essex Jewish Golfing Society, which was founded with the object of forming friendly bonds, arranging competitions and matches, and generally promoting the best interests of the game. The leading spirit to take the initiative in forming the Society was Sidney Obrart who was elected the First President, with Alf Astley, then Captain of Southend Golf Club as Vice-President, Leslie Levene First Captain and Alec Bourne, Chairman.

At the first Meeting 15 Members were enrolled (every one of whom subsequently became Founder Members of Abridge), yet by the time the first monthly meeting was held, at Thorndon Park Golf Club, on Thursday, 5th November, 1959, the membership had grown to 30 and reached a peak of 85 a year later. In his inaugural address Sidney Obrart stated /hat the Society would provide a unifying force and expressed the conviction that the time mould come when the flag would fly over their own Golf Club – prophetic words which were destined to be fulfilled in ample measure.

THE “ANGEL” AND THE SPONSORS

Having seen the land and realising its suitability and potential, contracts were made through the Society which led to an approach being made to a certain individual, (who desired to remain anonymous and who is affectionately referred to by Abridge members as their “Angel”), for a loan to cover the purchase price. Without hesitation, without quibble – and without interest – the loan was forthcoming and the ball was moving. The next impetus came from the Society whose A.G.M. was by chance held a few days later on the 19th March, 1962. There amidst scenes of great enthusiasm, over 50 Members then present discussed the financial implications and finally pledged their support for the project. With this solid backing an Inaugural Meeting of the Sponsors was held on 4th April, 1962, and by the time the champagne corks popped at midnight 17 individuals had signed as Life Members and thus ensured the funds necessary for the construction of the first 18 Holes. By September, 1963, the number of Sponsors grew to a total of 32, many of whom were non-golfers, but all of whom were inspired by the common ideal of building at Abridge – not just a Golf Course – but a Club in every sense of the word, where Members and their families could meet together in comfort, in friendship and with dignity. By so doing, they and the “Angel" have earned the undying gratitude of every present and future member of the Club.

LEGAL MUMBO-JUMBO

With the finances thus assured, a Meeting with Fred Padfield the Farmer to finalise the purchase negotiations was arranged for the Boat Race Saturday afternoon in April and attended by Lionel Acton, Basil Coleman and Henry Montlake, who had become a willing and able draftee to the job of Honorary Solicitor. With agreement being reached, planning permission for change of user, was readily forthcoming from the Local Council, who were to show in this and subsequent actions their helpful co-operation in our plans. Eventually – and appropriately enough at the Annual Dinner of the South Essex Society held in London on 24th May, 1962, the Contract was signed for the purchase of the land.

Meanwhile the Sponsors were engaged in frequent and lengthy sessions to thrash out the myriad details which were arising and in particular to formulate the principles on which the Club was to operate. The first broad principle established was that this was to be a Club where every Member was to be of equal standing, there were to be no “bosses” and it was to be owned, controlled and directed by its Members. To this end much thought and discussion was devoted to the drafting of the Memorandum and Articles of the proposed Limited Company (one memorable session finished at 2 a.m. with anxious wives ringing up at regular intervals) and finally the Abridge Golf and Country Club Ltd. (Regd. No. 736182) was Incorporated on the 24th September, 1962. One of its most important provisions being that every Member of the Club was to hold one share in the Company. The very first transaction by the Company was to complete the purchase of Skinner’s Farm on the 28th September, 1962.

WHY "ABRIDGE" (or "A rose by any other name") ?

Lying astride both the rural parishes of Theydon Mount and Theydon Garnon; coming within the jurisdiction of the Epping Magistrates Bench; having the postal address of Stapleford Tawney, Romford and being equidistant from Passingford Bridge and Abndge; the Sponsors had no lack of ideas for the name of the Club. Early favourites “Theydon Mount” and “South Essex” were rejected as being too easily confused with existing Clubs and finally "Abridge" emerged as a clear winner. At a much later stage when the Plans for the Club House were being considered and the size of the Card Room was being discussed one wag pointed out that if we made it too large we would be known as "a bridge Club"!

CONSTRUCTING THE COURSE

The Course Construction Sub-Committee was one of the first to be formed and its first task – that of choosing a Course Architect – was quickly disposed of when that maestro of English Golf, Henry Cotton, was invited to look over the land and pronounced it not only good golfing country but capable of conversion into two championship Courses. In record time Henry produced a draft layout of the two Courses. The outstanding feature of this, was that four loops of nine holes would each start and finish near the proposed sire of the new Club House. The decision then had to be taken to proceed with this master plan although it was not then known whether we would get permission to place the Club House where we wanted it and furthermore whether enough money would ever be forthcoming to build. But, whatever else the Sponsors might have lacked in the way of technical knowledge, they had faith and foresight a-plenty and so the decision was made. Henry Cotton then proceeded to draw up a detailed plan of the first 18 Holes, (no easy task considering that all the ground was still under crop), specifications were agreed and submitted for tender and finally Messrs. Hugh Pearl (Contractors) Ltd., from nearby Ongar were awarded the Contract and moved on to the Site on the 4th October, 1962.

There then followed so happy a conjunction of circumstances, so perfect a combination of weather, so dry an Autumnal Indian Summer that allowed all major construction works to be completed within two months. So bitter a Winter – the worst in living memory – to allow the ground to settle down, so warm a Spring to prepare the way for seeding, so wet a Summer to germinate and water the new grasses, so kind was a beneficent Nature to our project that it was during this period that the legend of the Miracle of Abridge was born. Those who had first viewed the ground during the previous Winter of discontent, indeed saw a Summer of glorious fulfilment, as the greens and fairways took shape and gave promise of the maturity that was to come. The Contractors finally handed over to our own Greenkeeping Staff on the 27th June, 1963, and we were eventually fortunate to obtain the services as Head Greenkeeper of Mr. Diffley from Southend and of national renown who joined us at the end of the year.

Meanwhile Mr. Norman Clarke, our Landscape Architect, had drawn up a Tree Planting schedule, the first part of which was completed during the Winter of 1963 when over 400 tree saplings were planted, and as they grow to maturity over the years we can look forward to their variety adding to the natural scenic beauty of the Course.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

A most important and necessary feature which Henry Cotton was able to incorporate in the overall design was the three-tier practice tees and driving range adjacent to the First Tee. In order to allow maximum use of this facility it was envisaged that Members would buy a bucket of balls from the Professional, hit them down the field and then leave them for the Professional’s staff to pick up. This would avoid the procedure common in other practice fields where players hit down the field and then undertake a dangerous search for their balls whilst other players are hitting from the other end.

A Sub-Committee consisting of Basil Coleman, Sidney Obrart and Sam Franks was busy during the Autumn of ’63 on the important task of advertising and interviewing the many applicants for the post of Club Professional. Finally the choice rested on Reg Taylor, Professional at Stanmore Golf Club and formerly of Potters Bar, who has a reputation not only as a fine exponent of the game but also as one who has a happy knack of being able to impart his knowledge and bring out the best in all aspirants to the game.

THE MEMBERS ROLL IN

During these early stages much interest was aroused in the local and national Press and many enquiries for membership were received until finally when all preliminary planning had been completed and it was certain that the project would proceed, a Public Meeting was. held at Mario’s Restaurant, Ilford, in May, 1962. Expecting an audience of some 100 or so, the Sponsors were overwhelmed by a crowd of nearly 300 who turned up – one of the largest attended Public Meetings ever held in the locality – and listened patiently and with complete attention as the scheme was explained to them. The one aspect of the scheme which had caused the Sponsors some disquiet, was the size of the share premium (£250) which had to be asked if all Members were to be equal contributors. However by the end of the evening some 150 Application Forms had been distributed and it was obvious that so deep-felt a need did the Club fulfil, that even in the comparatively unfashionable suburbs of North East London men were prepared to make the sacrifice necessary to join. The first Club Rule that prospective Members were asked to observe was the necessity of appearing before the Interviewing Committee and meetings for this purpose were held at regular intervals over the next few months; It was during this period, as the Members rolled in and paid their entrance premium, that the next facet of the Miracle of Abridge took shape, for never in their fondest dreams did the Sponsors anticipate that the scheme would attract such support. Forecasts amongst the Sponsors as to potential membership varied from a sanguine 100 to a wildly improbable “200 by the time the Club opened” from the super optimists. In the event 100 Members were enrolled by July, 1962, 150 by September, 1962, and 250 by the 1st June, 1963 when the Share Premium had to be increased to £300 due to rising costs. And all this before the Club was even opened, before a ball had been struck in anger on the Course or a drink downed in sorrow at the Bar!

THE CONCEPT OF A COUNTRY CLUB

As enthusiasm mounted and as more and more non-golfers joined, it became obvious that whereas the original golfers had only ever dared hope for a Golf Course and were prepared to accept whatever Club accommodation funds allowed, the new Members were seeking Club facilities for the whole family, and the Sponsors Committee willingly drew up plans to bring this about. It was realised that not everything could be provided at once and so a two stage programme was decided upon; the first stage to incorporate a fine new modern Club House catering for up to 400 members with such further outdoor activities like Riding and Tennis as funds would permit; whilst the second stage would provide for an extension of the Club House for about 600 Members, extended indoor facilities and such further outdoor features as Members might require, and funds permit.

GETTING THE CLUB HOUSE OFF THE GROUND

Thus willingly committed to a brief to bring about the development of the first stage of a Golf and Country Club, with Members joining in greater numbers than had ever been envisaged and providing sufficient funds earlier than had been anticipated, the stage was set to consider in earnest plans to build the Club House. The Premises Sub-Committee under the able Chairmanship of Alex Pelican had already appointed as Architect Messrs. Stanley Keen who were well known for their modern approach in design and construction and in October, 1962, had an important inaugural meeting with local Council Officials when unofficial approval was given for the siting of the Club House. Throughout that Summer research was undertaken into the design, functions and costing of the type of Club House that would be required, but by the Autumn a decision of the main Committee had been taken to commence building in the following Spring of 1963 and this programme of research which had been scheduled to spread over a year or two had to be telescoped into a hectic few months during which time Draft Plans flew out of the Architects once with astonishing rapidity. Finally the crucial meeting was held with the Architects and Quantity Surveyor on the 16th January, 1963 and the design of the Club House as it was eventually constructed was agreed to. Stanley Keen and his colleague Roy Bryan then proceeded in earnest to burn the midnight oil and detailed plans were finally forwarded for approval to the local Council in April, 1963. Pending approval of these plans and in order that no time should be lost, the Committee decided to take a chance and authorised the drawing up of detailed Bills of Quantity which then were put out to Tender. There followed an anxious period whilst the Plans went to and fro between the various local Authorities Departments but finally all was well and in late April, 1963 formal approval was given as to both design and siting. The Building Contract was awarded to Richard Costain & Sons and it was an appropriate coincidence that this Contract was signed on 12th May, 1963, at the Annual Dinner of the South Essex Jewish Golfing Society, a year after the Contract for the purchase of the land was signed at the preceding Society Annual Dinner.

All was now ready for Costains to move in, which they did on the 27th May, 1963. It was another appropriate coincidence that the Course Contractors began seeding on exactly the same day. So that during the Summer that followed many Members could be observed making a surreptitious detour around Abridge to see the outline of both Club House and Course taking shape at the same time. Despite the wet Summer, Costains were able to keep to their schedule and on 29th September, 1963 the rain clouds parted sufficiently to allow over 200 Members and their wives see the President, Johnny Rubens, lay the Foundation Stone and be presented with the silver trowel by the Chairman. In the next six months Members followed the progress of work with mounting excitement, and despite the usual last minute alarms, the building was finally handed over – on schedule on 17th April, 1964.

POTS AND PANS AND STICKS AND STONES

Much thought was given to the furnishing of the Club House and the equipping of the Kitchens, in order that the Club would be able to fulfil its purpose by providing first class lounge and restaurant facilities for Members and their Families. Working to tight budgets, the Catering and Furnishing Sub-Committees under the respective Chairmanships of Lou Bennett and Ronnie Acton shopped around, and from amongst a mountainous pile of catalogues and competing quotations eventually placed their orders. Mention should here be made of the sterling service afforded by Roy Bryan, the Architect, who acted as Honorary Design Consultant and allowed nothing to pass which did not accord with his concept of the overall design and function of the Club House. Thanks are also due to the many Members who supplied goods to the Club at cost price and without whose kind assistance the Sub-Committees would never have been able to keep to their budgets.

The fitted lockers in the Male and Female Changing Rooms were adapted from photos kindly supplied by the Coral Ridge Country Club, Florida, U.S.A. and are, we think, unique in this Country. Once it is accepted that golf clubs are stored and looked after in bulk by the Club Professional, the design of these lockers incorporates the maximum of hanging space for Members’ clothes with individual small safe deposit lockers for safe custody of small items and valuables.

THE SOCIAL-ITES

The Social Sub-Commitee under the genial Chairmanship of Alec Bourne did a grand job. in bringing the Members together whilst the Club was being built. Its first major function was a capacity Dinner and Dance at the Room at the Top, Ilford in February, 1963 and its Stag Night held at the same venue in November still brings blushes to the hardened cheeks of the 200 members and guests who attended. They also arranged several golfing film evenings and lectures given by Reg Taylor and at all these functions the enthusiasm and camaraderie of the Members augured well for the Club Spirit it was hoped would prevail when the Club opened.

FEEDING THE BRUTES

Catering at any golf club is a teaser, and when you add the likely requirements of a country club, the problems are intensified. Nor were experienced administrators of other clubs of much help – the usual reaction when asked for advice was to throw their hands in the air in despair and wish us luck! Essentially the problem is one of unpredictable demand with peak periods at the weekends when staff is difficult and additional supplies of fresh food hard to come by; of the average golfer who is anxious to get out to the First Tee and wants his meal on the table five minutes before he arrives; and of the member who, by contrast, it was anticipated would want to take his wife or friends out to the club and would expect a first-class meal up to West End standards.
Obviously it would need a caterer of wide experience and initiative to blend in these requirements and when, in addition, the Committee decided to follow the American pattern and make this person Club .Manager, responsible for all facets of the Club's administration, it can be appreciated that the task of finding such a person was no easy one. But eventually, after much interviewing, the Catering Sub-Committee were happy to appoint Mr B.W.C French, who comes to us from the famous Moor Park Golf Club, and with his charming wife assisting in the secretarial duties, we wish them both many congratulations on their appointment.

BIG COMMITTEE – PLENTEE TALKEE

As can be readily imagined, a scheme of the ambitious scope herein outlined required much thought and detailed discussion amongst the Committee responsible for execution of the various phases. Whatever other shortcomings they may subsequently be accused of, the Members of these Committees can never be found wanting in the frequency with which they met or the length at which they talked. The whole of the elected Committee met throughout this period at regular three to four week intervals and considered, reviewed, amended (and even in some cases actually approved! ) matters which had in the interim been discussed and reported on by the various Sub-Committees. To mention work done by individual members would be invidious – suffice it to say that every member did all that lay within his ability to do and the whole body worked and co-operated together as a real team.

In an account of this nature, recording as it does the History of the Building of Abridge, all the members of the Committees are equally deserving of mention, and their names and the committees on which they serve are set out on page eighteen.

The “Miracle of Abridge” was written by the only person sufficiently equipped to do so – your first Chairman – and now your first Captain, Lionel Acton.