84 years on and still going strong
The club originated in the 1930’s when the local Igranic Electric Co Ltd formed a social and sports club, and on the 1st of June 1936 they held the official opening of the sports ground.
A souvenir programme from the opening has numerous advertisements including local companies such as Cryselco, the Bedford & District Gas Company, J.A. Hague & Sons (handbags), Francis Coales & Son (millers), The Bridge Hotel, Neate Brothers (tobacconist & confectioners), Grimbly Hughes & Co (groceries, wines & provisions), J Bavington (butchers), Page’s (coal), Belfast Linen Warehouse, GW Jacobs Garage, Dudley & Co. (dairy), Electro Hire Service (taxi), John Bull & Co (jewellers) and Diemer & Reynolds (printers).
Bedford County Hospital were advertising their Bedford Hospital Fayre for the 1st, 3rd and 4th of August 1936 as they were preparing to build a new male ward at a cost of £10,000 (which would be worth approximately £186,000 today).
The fete and inauguration of the new sports ground was opened star of stage and screen Miss Leonora Corbett supported by the Igranic president Mr G A Mower.
The day’s timetable consisted of Elementary schools 400 yards Senior Relay Race, All-In Wrestling Contest, a vaudeville performance incorporating such acts as A E Goad – magician, a troupe of high-kickers and Babs Church the “India rubber girl”. There was Elementary Schools Boxing, Boxing by “local champions” in 8 round bouts by Reg Lovell v Charlie Fenn, Freddy Barker v H Newbould, Jack Vintner v Cyril Holden, N Page v Ted Rayner, Billy Peate v George Franks and Billy Collins V S Nutt.
Later there was dancing on the lawns culminating in a grand firework display at 10pm which had the ascent of a monster Montgolfier balloon carrying chains of aerial fireworks.
Throughout the day there were numerous sideshows including a licenced bar, “tip the lady out of the bed”, donkey rides and many others which were “no end of good fun”!
For workers at the Igranic Electrical Co. there was a “small inclusive subscription of three pence (3d) per week” (equivalent to 85p today or £44.20 a year which is over 4 times today’s annual subscription!) to join the Social and Sports Club which entitled members to “partake in Cricket, Tennis, Bowls, Croquet, Hiking, Table Tennis, Rugby, Football, Hockey, Whist Drives, Dinners, Dances, Outings and the famous Igranic Carnival”.
84 years on, with a short break due to the current Covid19 pandemic, we are still playing bowls, cricket, football and rugby and host various classes, bingo, quizzes and functions throughout the year.
In 1959 the company became Brookhurst Igranic, and in 1971 the American company Cutler Hammer bought them. Then in 1978 it became part of the Eaton Corporation.
In 1996 Eaton announced that the Cutler Hammer Sports ground was to close as the number of workers employed by the company had gone from over 2,000 to less than 70. Subsequently the company closed the Bedford factory as well.
Eaton looked to develop the existing sports ground into private housing which was resisted by Bedford Council and members of the sports club. A non-profit company was formed by local individuals and Bedford Council purchased the sports ground and leased it to Kempston Hammers Sports & Social Club in 2002.
The club now provides the local community with a function hall, members bar, bowls, cricket, football, rugby and tug of war teams and has had a number of members representing their club and country at national and international sporting events.
If you would like to join the Kempston Hammers family come along to the club, telephone us on 01234 853262 or visit our website at www.kempstonhammers.com
Colin Pettit, Chairman