• History
• Rules
• Policy statement

About

The Society was formed in 1933, however unfortunately it was not until 1953 when a definitive minute book became available that an accurate history could be established.   That said, very strong anecdotal reports handed down confirm that the Society was originally set up to allow Municipal Contractors to socialise with relevant Borough Surveyors to their mutual benefit.  It is also understood that the key event each year until the outbreak of the Second World War was an annual visit and black tie dinner to Le Touquet.  Records starting from 1953 coincide with the end of post war rationing.

It is interesting to note that the Society had an Honorary Treasurer/Secretary, Mr L R Mackness, since the formation of the Society in 1933 until he retired in 1954 and was then replaced as Honorary Secretary by Mr W Hayes, Captain for 1953, and Mr G Powell as Honorary Treasurer.  Both of these gentlemen served in their respective positions for the next 16 years until 1970 when Mr H E Collins took over as Honorary Secretary and Mr G Allen as Honorary Treasurer.

It appears that the Society really moved forward from 1953 with the longstanding trophies played for today being donated by significant members of the day.

The Colin Cassy Cup for the Deal meeting was presented in 1957 by Stuart Cassy in memory of his father who had died the previous year.  This was followed in 1964 by the Eric Miller Cups also for the Deal Meeting presented by Gordon Miller in memory of his brother who, having completed 2 years on the committee, had suddenly died.  The Alan Luke Trophy followed in 1967 as the Spring Challenge Cup and in 1970 The Bill Hays Trophy an Armada Dish to be played for at the Autumn Meeting.  The Ian Forbes Aggregate Trophy was presented in 1972.

Throughout this period, the Society ran four meetings Spring, Summer, Autumn and the Deal Weekend.  Venues included Burhill, Royal Wimbledon, The Addington, Roehampton, Walton Heath, Wentworth, Sunningdale, The Berkshire, Royal Cinque Ports,
Stoke Poges, and The RAC Club).

Records show that in 1958 48 members and their guests attended the Deal weekend and in 1960 the visit to Sunningdale cost 35 shillings and Royal Cinque Ports £2.10 shillings per day.

Committee and AGM meetings were held for many ears at the Criterion Restaurant, The Victoria Club, The Café Royal and one visit to The Eccentric Club.

In 1961 the Annual Subscription was set at 45 shillings which rose to £4 in 1972. At the same time secretarial support payments rose from £5 in 1953 to £15 in 1972.

A Minute note in 1957 stated that owing to the strong financial position of the Society prizes other than golf balls should be considered.  At the time the funds were around £100.  This had increased to £508 in 1968 and to £1,033 in 1980.  By 1974 subscriptions had risen to £6, the Annual lunch to £3.83 and a day at The Addington £4.50.  Caddies at Deal cost £1.25 plus tip and boys 60p including tip.

The relationship between the Society and Borough Engineers and Surveyors flourished during the fifties and sixties through to the mid-70s when annual matches were held between the Society and the Metropolitan Surveyors Golfing Society.  Also a membership category of Honorary Member was created to allow the election of Borough engineers and Surveyors in addition to the existing Contractors and Allied Trade Suppliers.

In May 1967, as part of the close relationship with the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club which by then had become the Home Club of the Society, four £50 Debentures were purchased to support the raising of much needed funds for the Club. The attached copies confirm a fixed annual interest of £2 - 2 shillings (Two Guineas) per £50 Debenture. These were finally redeemed in 2005. The Society has held an annual meeting at The Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club every year since 1953 and it was recently voted by the Membership that this annual meeting should continue as an integral part of the Society venues.

In 1980, Stuart Hyde became Secretary of the Society, having served as Assistant Secretary to Harry Collins for the previous five years and served in the post until 1988. He was voted Captain for the 50th celebrations in 1983 when the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club invited the Society as their guests for the annual dinner at the Club In recognition of his service to the Society Stuart was again voted Captain in 1993 for the 60th celebrations  In 1984, G Allen retired as Honorary Treasurer and John Berry took over for the following 14 years until 1998.  More recently Peter Greenshields served  as Secretary for 10 years until the beginning of 2007.

In recent years a number of further trophies have been added to the four original trophies.  The Past Captains Salver was presented to the Society in 1983 by a group of past Captains. In 1988 The Berry Patterson Putter was presented by John Berry and Joe Patterson Jnr. and  the Society Salver was presented by Terry Fleming, replacing the Ian Forbes Trophy which had been mislaid. In 2000 The Millennium Jug was presented by Bill Sumner.In 2002 trophies were presented for the afternoon greensome competitions, The Captains Claret Jugs presented by David and Mike Tattam, The Committee Cups presented by Alan Pontin and The Secretary Cups presented by Peter Greenshields. Finally in 2003 the Stuart Hyde Salver was presented by the Society.

Currently an average meeting costs £95, the Annual Lunch £55 and Society Subscriptions £25.  In 2007 the Society will be visiting Hankley Common, West Hill, The Berkshire, The Royal Cinque Ports and Swinley Forest.