In 1938 the Air Raids Precautions Committee took over Jesmond Dene House. By December 1939 play was no longer possible on the court as the ARP and the Council Lighting Department had begun to store equipment in the court. In addition the Council stored furniture removed from Banqueting Hall. Lambert was paying a reduced rent however the storage was in part subject to a sub-lease. The ARP transferred its stores and office to the tennis court building in 1941. In December 41 the City Surveyor reported that he had prepared a “scheme for additional floor space at the racquet club”. A plan (not found) showed the “construction of a floor at one end of the building.”
At the end of that month [29th December 1941] enemy action caused considerable damage to greenhouses, Mathew Bank Lodge, the Mess Room on Castle Farm Road, the Parks Superintendent’s Office, the Racquet Court and premises occupied by Mr Lambert and Mr Mather. Despite the wartime measures Lambert wished to extend his lease. Indeed the council refused in 1942 to allow the Emergency Committee to take over the building entirely.
At the end of the war the Racquet Court was released by the Civil Defence Authorities. From this point onwards Lambert was expected to pay full rent, albeit still at pre-war level of £125/year. In December of 1946 a new 7 year lease
with Lambert was approved.
In February 1946 it was noted that tenders for the re-glazing of the roof of the Racquets Court were being considered. The work would be undertaken by WH Heywood and Co at a cost of £438.2.0 [“the whole of the amount would be recoverable”]
Lambert clearly decided that local clubs using the Real Tennis Court and the outside courts would give him some financial security. Without permission from his landlords he entered agreements with the North Jesmond Lawn Tennis Club and the Northern Counties Badminton Association. Alderman Pearson asked the Town Moor and Parks Committee if it was allowable to sub-let the “Racket Court” as he had heard that “someone other than the tenant was using the court for games.” (10th November 1948) A month later Mr Porter for the City Surveyor’s Office reported to the committee that tennis and badminton courts had been laid down by the lessees ‘with the object of sub-letting to clubs at fixed sums, maintenance being carried out by the lessees.’ Committee decide to allow the sub-letting with the proviso that ‘this committee cannot countenance sales of food on the premises or the use of the building for banquets, dances or similar purposes.’ (14th Dec 1948)
