Author Archives: admin

Harry’s memorial stone unearthed.

Posted on May 4, 2013 by admin

After a considerable wait we received recently permission to investigate the grave space to see what, if anything, remained of the headstone or other memorial. So, on Thursday 2nd May 2013 trustees Chris, Sue and Robert set about the dig. … Continue reading →

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Greg plays under Gem’s rules.

Posted on May 4, 2013 by admin

Wednesday 18th April 2013 saw trustees Chris, Sue and Robert at Fairlight, Ampton Road, Edgbaston to recreate once again Gem and Perera’s lawn rackets court in the garden of the Perera’s former home.

Posted in Ampton Road, Edgbaston archery & Lawn Tennis Society, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Court on Canvas Success for the Barber Institute

Posted on December 8, 2011 by admin

The exhibition exploring lawn tennis as a subject in art has become the most popular show ever staged at the Barber Institute of Fine Arts. The exhibition attracted almost 23,000 people – eclipsing previous exhibitions focusing on Constable, Turner and … Continue reading →

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From the Birmingham Post 1995

Posted on December 5, 2011 by admin
Posted in Ampton Road, Edgbaston archery & Lawn Tennis Society, History of Lawn Tennis, Leamington Club | Leave a comment

Captain Harry

Posted on June 25, 2011 by admin

This splendid photograph of Harry Gem aged 48/9 was previously unknown until a couple of months ago. It depicts Harry as a captain in the Birmingham Rifle Volunteer Corps (Warwickshire Rifle Corps, Birmingham Division) and has emerged from the archives … Continue reading →

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Gem & Perera’s first game at Ampton Road, Edgbaston

Posted on June 25, 2011 by admin

It was in 1859 that lawn tennis pioneer Harry Gem and his friend JBA Perera first experimented with a game recognizably the forerunner of the modern game of lawn tennis and which they called Pelota, in homage to Perera’s Spanish … Continue reading →

Posted in Ampton Road, Bath Street Racquets Club, History of Lawn Tennis, Leamington Club | Leave a comment

Court on Canvas – the book

Posted on May 21, 2011 by admin

An advanced copy of the Barber Institute’s book Court on Canvas has just arrived. It will be on sale when the Court on Canvas: Tennis in Art and A Gem of  Game exhibitions open next Friday 27th May.

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Happy birthday Harry

Posted on May 21, 2011 by admin

Today, 21st May, is the anniversary of Harry’s birth in 1819. To mark the occasion there will be a re-enactment next week of Harry’s early lawn tennis experiments with his friend Perera in the grounds of the latter’s home in … Continue reading →

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Councillor calls for new Edgbaston lawn tennis centre to be named after Harry

Posted on May 12, 2011 by admin

Latest news in today’s Birmingham Mail (Thursday 12th May 2011): Councillor Osborn, Chairman of Birmingham’s Planning Committee has suggested that the new tennis centre at the Edgbaston Priory Club be named after Harry. We can think of no better way … Continue reading →

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How to find Harry’s grave

Posted on April 1, 2011 by admin

Harry’s grave is in section P of Warstone Lane Cemetery in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter (see yellow dot). A permanent path leads towards the area and restoration work by the Friends of Key Hill and Warstone Lane Cemeteries has unearthed its … Continue reading →

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