A Blue Plaque for the First Wimbledon Champion

A strange pastime some may say, but here in Thanet we don't have many places to walk amongst trees and get a taste of this wildlife we keep being told to save. A friend and I found the tranquillity of our churchyards a change from the park, bikes, footballs and general sounds. It was good to hear the rustle of the trees, birds singing, plus smell the woodland scent as one walked around the paths and through the weeds and grass.

This is where I found the grave of Spencer Gore, who was the first Wimbledon champion. I must say it was a sad looking grave for a man who starred in a world event. I wonder what his reaction would be now to the number of players enjoying the game from countries all around the world.

The prize money is a bit different to what Spencer won that day, 12 guineas, which were made of gold. Entrance tickets were one shilling. Today, the tennis at Wimbledon has turned into a world event on TV, each country hoping to have a great player.

Tennis clubs are a good place for meeting and making friends, and also to encourage young players. I don't know how it's possible to encourage our local youth to have a go at this sport, when money is short and equipment is required.

Spencer Square is one of two tennis courts in Ramsgate, the other being at Montefiore. There were four tennis courts at the Warre Rec, which is behind the fire station, but they are no more. Spencer Square has developed the tennis courts in the Square, with funding help from Thanet District Council and the Lawn Tennis Association, and they are spot on. It makes one proud to see how smart they are and that they are being used daily.

I'm pleased to say that many people read my article in this magazine and like me, were surprised that we had the first ever Wimbledon champion buried in our town cemetery. Dominic Murphy, chair of The Friends of Spencer Square, and I discussed our champion and Dominic was surprised at the fact that Spencer's grave was so poorly maintained, as were many others in the community.

The Friends of Spencer Square then came together and decided to look into the possibility of raising funds to renovate Spencer Gore’s gravestone and to place a blue plaque by the entrance to Granville House, where he lived and eventually died in 1888. The Ramsgate Society, via their Chairman John Walker, organised the fundraising arrangements which raised £5,919.38. This amount raised allowed the project to renovate the gravestone.

The blue plaque itself needed planning permission as the Granville House is a Listed Building. This was arranged by local architects Del Renzio, at no cost to the group. The plaque was put in place by the technicians from Ramsgate Town Council and was unveiled on July 9, 2025 by The Mayor of Ramsgate, Councillor Laurie Hudson, with representatives from Infinity Tennis, The Ramsgate Society, The Friends of Spencer Square and members of the Spencer Gore Family in attendance. The stonework for the new tombstone was made by a local master stonemason.

After the unveiling of the plaque and a visit to Spencer Gore’s grave, Infinity Tennis hosted a reception for the Spencer Gore Family at Vincent's Cafe in Spencer Square to thank everyone for their support.

Gavid Vickers of Infinity Tennis has improved the standard of the tennis courts in Spencer Square. When I look at the courts now, I am so proud of all the work that has gone into the end result.

This is truly a wonderful accomplishment by a group of likeminded people who gave their time and skills to give Spencer Gore a long overdue blue plaque and a new gravestone.

Written by:
Councillor Barbara Young
Councillor for Pegwell Ward