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A Chronology of the Company
The illustration is taken from the front cover of the Thurston booklet which brought together articles that appeared in 'The Times' of January 14th, 18th, 24th 29th and February 4th and 8th in 1908
A brief history of significant dates for the Company and some other interesting dates concerning the developments in Billiards & Snooker.
1799 -John Thurston established in Newcastle Street,St. Clement Danes, Strand, London as a Cabinet Maker and Billiards Table Maker .
1807- The first leather cue tips used by Monsieur Mingaud -a retired French Infantry Officer which he punched out from old leather harness.
1814- John Thurston moved to Catherine Street nearby and became the very first to specialise in making Billiards and Bagatelle Tables and Billiards Room Furniture. Their factory at Cheyne Walk, Chelsea named 'The Waterloo Billiard Works'.
1820 – Darlington founded in Liverpool as manufacturers of bowling green bowls and ivory turning.
1826- John Thurston introduced the first Slate Bed (Thurston's old records show that a slate bed was supplied to White's Club -London In 1832).
1826- John Thurston was granted the Royal Warrant of His Majesty King George IV -(Sole appointment) .
1830 -Thos. Padmore established as a Billiards Table Maker in Little Charles Street Birmingham.
1833 -John Thurston was granted the Royal Warrant of His Majesty King William IV - (Sole appointment).
1835 -John Thurston introduced the first natural rubber cushions, which superseded the old Stuffed List Cushions, made up of layers of felt padding.
1837- John Thurston was granted the Royal Warrant of Her Majesty Queen Victoria -(Sole appointment).
1845 -John Thurston introduced and patented the first Vulcanised Rubber Cushions. (The original Letters Patent is displayed at Thurston's).
1850 -John Thurston died, business continued by his right hand man Samuel Pitts in partnership with G. J. Atkins, later his son Thos. Pitts was active in the business until about 1890.
1851- Thurston's awarded the Prize Medal (Highest Award) at the Great Exhibition.
1868 -The first Composition Billiard Balls Invented by Mr John Wesley Hyatt of Albany, New York State, and called the Bonzoline Ball.
1869- Thurston's introduced the Improved Vulcanised Rubber Cushions.
1869-J .Ashcroft established as Billiard table Makers in Liverpool.
1871- Thos. Padmore moved office & factory to 118 Edmund Street, Birmingham
1875 -SNOOKER INVENTED" by Army Officers playing in the Officers Mess at Jubblepore, India.
1882 -Thurston's introduced the "Perfect Low Cushion". In 1885 John Roberts writes.. "your Cushions are simply perfect"
1882 -A "COMMITTEE" of Army Officers agreed the original Rules of SNOOKER at Ootacmund, India.
1885- The first meeting of the Billiards Association was held on 1st February at the offices of "The Sportsman" composed of Professional Players and Billiards Traders. Followed by weekly meetings chaired by John Roberts, the work of revising the rules of billiards was concluded 21st September 1885.
1885- PERADON'S founded by Leopold George Peradon manufacturing Billiard Cues at Linacre Road, Willesden, London
1886 -J .Ashcroft's award Gold Medal for the 'excellence of the Billiard Table' .
1887- Thurston’s introduced and patented the first ‘bottomless’ pocket.
1891 – Thurston introduced their patented ‘Adamant Block’ cushions.
1891 -In response to invitations several Billiards Traders prepared and submitted models of a proposed Standard Size of Billiards Table. At a meeting on 28th April 1891 the Billiards Association selected Thurston's Model
1892 Thurston table specified in the revised rules of Billiards Association and it has been the standard stipulated ever since and on which all Billiard & Snooker tables are still based..
1896 -BILLARD VAN LAERE established as Billiard Table Makers in Brussels.
1900- The report of the committee appointed to draft the rules of Snooker was presented and finally passed on Tuesday 11th December 1900 by the Billiards Association of Great Britain and Ireland.
1901- Thurston's built and opened their famous Match Hall, Showrooms and Offices in Leicester Square. Catherine Street premises were demolished (Site of Aldwych).
1907- Thurston's granted the Royal Warrant of His Majesty King Edward V 11.
1910- Thurston's introduced the improved "Thurstonic" Cushion.
1911- Thurston's granted the Royal Warrant of His Majesty King George V.
1912- Edward Arthur Clare established as a Billiards Table Maker in Fraser Street, Liverpool.
1920- E.L. Fletcher & Son Ltd. established as manufactures of wafers (used to stick tips on cues) and later cue tips as well, in Baldock, Herts.
1923- Thurston's introduced the "Janus" reversible Cotton Billiards Cloth.
1924- Thurston's introduced the Wonderful "Standfast" Billiards Cushion.
1926- Composition Billiard Balls used for the first time in the Amateur Billiards Championships.
1929- Following a decision taken by the Billiards Association and Control Club in July of the previous year Composition Billiard Balls used for the first time in the Professional Billiards Championships.
1937- The Original "Eralc" Non-Shadow Billiards Shade introduced by E. A. Clare & Son, Liverpool.
1937- On April 14th the first Game of Snooker on Television -Horace Lindrum v Willie Smith.
1937- On May 3rd the first game of Billiards on Television -Joe Davis v Tom Newman.
1940- Thurston's famous Match Hall, Showrooms and Offices destroyed during the London Air Raids. The Administration was removed to the factory at Chelsea.
1940- Padmore’s moved into temporary leased premises at 95 Colmore Row after their office and factory destroyed during an air raid.
1946- Padmore’s move in to new premises at 3 Coleshill St., Birmingham.
1946/50- Peradon’s acquired the cue businesses of Nidds of Kentish Town, MacMorran of chalk Farm and Weildings of Acton.
1948- The "Eralc" Mark 11 Non-Shadow Billiards Shade introduced by E. A, Clare & Son
1950’s- Padmore’s consolidated their offices and factory to 8/12 Cheshire street, Birmingham.
1962- E. A. Clare & Son introduced the first British Billiards Table of Modem Design with patented "built-in' levelling device called the "Jubilee Model'.
1963- Thurston's of London and Clare's of Liverpool become associated under Chairmanship of Mr. Norman Clare.
1964- The Non-Shadow shade improved -renamed "Standfast Shade" and marketed by Clare & Thurston,
1965- Thurston's factory and offices at Cheyne Walk, Chelsea were redeveloped -the Company acquired and moved into l/lA Sharples Hall Street, London NWl.
1966- Thos. Padmore & Sons of Birmingham become associated to form the Clare - Padmore -Thurston Group under Chairmanship of Mr Norman Clare.
1966- Peradon’s Willesden site zoned for redevelopment and factory moved out to Southway, Walworth Industrial Estate, Andover, Hants.
1970- Clare's factory and offices were zone for redevelopment -the Company moved into new and larger premises at 46/48 St. Anne Street, Liverpool 3.
1970- Padmore's factory and offices were zoned for redevelopment -the business moved into new and larger premises at 180/182 Lozells Road, Birmingham 19.
1972- E.L.Fletcher & Son Ltd business sold by Mrs. Ashmole daughter of founder to Clare’s.
1972- The Super Crystalate Billiards and Snooker Balls introduced.
1975- Fletcher factory & office transferred from Baldock to 99a Webster Road, Liverpool.
1977- E.L.Fletcher & Son Ltd. amalgamated with Peradon to form Peradon & Fletcher with head office and cue factory in Andover and branch office and tip making in Liverpool.
1979- Thurston's opened new Offices and Showrooms at 220 Camden High Street, London NW1.
1982- Drakes Pride (Darlington’s old trade mark which was re-registered in E.A. Clare & Son's name in 1979) name used for composition bowls produced by E.A. Clare & Son Ltd.
1983- Thurston's sold the Sharples Hall Street factory for redevelopment and acquired a larger modern factory at 15/17 Brecknock Road, London N7.
1984- E.A. Clare & Son bowling green bowls division trading as Drakes Pride
1985- Peradon & Fletcher celebrate 100 years of trading
1985 -Mr. N. Clare's book 'Billiard & Snooker Bygones' published by Shire Publications
1986- Thurston's acquired the trading interests of Billard Van Laere the oldest Billiard Table Maker in Belgium, trading in Brussels and Europe as "THURSTON -V AN LAERE.
1987- J. Ashcroft's Billiard & Snooker trading interest acquired by E.A. Clare & Son. (note: Mr E.A. Clare served his apprenticeship at Ashcroft's)
1988 -Clare -Padmore -Thurston of the Clare Group amalgamate and adopt the corporate trade name 'THURSTON’ ,
1990- Mr. N. Clare ( 1914-1990) died, the museum he set up at the Liverpool offices renamed 'The Norman Clare Museum'.
1991- Thurston's Birmingham office & showrooms, move to 'Padmore House', 273/275 Lichfield Road, Birmingham, B6 7QP
1992 -The London office and showrooms move to 110 High Street, Edgware, London.
1994- Peradon & Fletcher relocated their factory and offices to 128 Richmond Row, Liverpool.
1997- EAC&S Cue sports division trading as Peradon
1997- European Billiard Congress formed -THURSTON founder members
1998- Thurston launched their website - thurston.co.uk and the cue company Peradon’s peradon.co.uk website also launched. Drakes Pride website - drakespride.co.uk launched.
1999 -Thurston celebrates 200 years of service to the sports of Billiards, Snooker & Pool.
2001- Thurston eshop launched
2002 – Peradon’s bespoke cue site launched –www.cuewizard.co.uk
2006 - A website dedicated to the Billiards & Snooker collection which also covered Norman Clare’s articles and lecture launched –www.normanclare.co.uk.
2008 – As the Company's contribution to Liverpool being the 2008 European Capital of Culture the museum was put on display in the Liverpool showroom and was designated the title ' Billiard & Snooker Hertitage Collection' for the Liverpool 'Sports' museums guide.
2010 - Thurston London office relocated to Golders Green
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© E.A. Clare & Son Ltd. 2009- All items displayed are from the N. Clare collection. Reproduction of article allowed only with permission from E.A. Clare & Son Ltd.
Please do not hesitate to ask should need any advice on snooker, billiards or pool or wish to make a purchase. Thurston has the most comprehensive range of tables and accessories available.
Visit our e-shop – www.thurston.co.uk
email - thurston@eaclare.co.uk
Phone – 0870 607 1336