Bailey Hill Tennis Courts

Tennis was being played on the Bailey Hill as far back as 1885, evidenced by newspaper articles dating to that time describing the matches. The Flintshire Observer of 16th August, 1888, describes one such match:

Mold Lawn Tennis Club Tournament
The final round of the gentlemen’s double (handicap) was played off on the Bailey Hill on Friday, the 3rd inst; before a large number of spectators. Results: Messrs J. B Marston and G. H. Bradley, beat Messrs W. H. R. M Johnson and D, Ll. Morgan, by two sets to nil.

Lawn Tennis
On Thursday the return match between the Mold Club and the Alun Grammer School was played on the Bailey Hill, and resulted in victory for the school by 12 sets to 6, or 98 games to 76. The teams were as follows: - Alun School, misses Dora and Bessie Parry, Messrs W Lloyd Parry, H. Ll Parry, E. Ll Parry, W Griffiths (The Park), F. Ll D Astbury, and D Owen. Mold, Mrs Dr. Edwards, Mrs W Griffiths, Messrs J B Martson, Mr Ll Owen, G. Bellis, W. N Bellamy, G.H Bradley and D Ll Morgan.

Initially tennis was played on the Bowling Green, the local tennis club seeking permission from the Mold Local Board for this purpose. (North Wales Express 17/6/81) (Wrexham & Denbs Advert 14/3/83).

As the popularity of bowls waned and that of tennis increased, refer were more references in the local papers of tennis matches on the Hill. (Wxm & Denbs Advert 27/6/84, Flint Observer 9/7/85 & 20/6/88). In a piece written for the Flints Observer (18/6/85) the writer wonders what has happened to Mold Bowling Club and compares it to the enthusiasm shown by the local tennis club.

In the edition of 22 Feb 1890, The Wrexham and Denbighshire Advertiser noted that the Mold Local Board agreed to the grounds being ‘adapted for tennis’. Also in 1890 (22/2) the same paper quotes a tourist guide recently issued which mentions that tennis and croquet are played on the hill, but does not mention bowls. In 1896(6/6). The Rhyl Record notes that the Mold Local Board agreed to ‘purchase requisites for the Tennis Green’.

In 1905, at a meeting of the Local Board it was suggested that tennis be moved to a second green with the original green be reserved for bowls. (Chester Courant 22/2/90). In 1913 at a meeting of the Bailey Hill Committee it was agreed that the tennis green be utilised for bowls. (Flint Obs 10/4/13).

The Outer Bailey tennis courts were formally laid out in 1920 {as was the Park, including the gates and cenotaph} by Mold District Council. In recent times the park has not been as well used as it was in the past. Along with the bowling green, the tennis courts are now gone and there are currently no plans to reinstate them, although the remains of the concrete slabs holding the posts for the outer fences can still be seen.