|
Walking
through the museum doors, you
are soon immersed in a unique
collection of artefacts,
memorabilia and antiques that
chart the history of the green
baize game.
Every
defining moment in the
transition from billiards to
snooker and beyond is housed in
this building.
“It’s the only one of
its kind in the
UK
”, says Peter, the managing
director. “Apart
from the
Heinrich
Weingartner
Museum
in
Vienna
, nothing else compares.”
The
display encompasses everything
that has been weird and
wonderful about the two sports,
from 19th century French cues to
a cheque from Charles Dickens
that has yet to be cashed.
This
remarkable hoard of all things
snooker and billiards was formed
when Norman Clare took over the
London
firm Thurston’s in 1963.
Thurston’s,
which was founded in 1799 by
John Thurston, established
itself as the world’s premiere
maker of billiards tables from
its
London
base. That
reputation has continued to this
day under the guidance of the
Clare family, where Thurston’s
remain an internationally
respected producer, restorer and
outlet of billiards, snooker,
bowls and darts equipment.
Since
that day in 1963 when Norman
Clare took over the collection,
he and son Peter have added to
it, making it an unrivalled
account of billiards and
snooker.
Items
that take pride of place include
an octagonal table from 1908,
the restored end rail of a cast
iron Thurston’s table, Joe
Davies’ record-making 147 cue
and the John Roberts Senior gold
watch.
“It’s
difficult to pick a favourite
but I think it’s the box of
billiard, pyramid and life pool
balls”, he reveals. “In
a way it seems to sum up the
entire history of billiards, all
in that one box.” Thurston’s
have put part of the collection
on display for
Liverpool
’s year as the Capital of
Culture and are allowing more
public viewing's than normal.
Two
weeks ago, Liverpool and
England
footballer Steven Gerrard popped
in to have a look. Former
Manchester United and
England
player Paul Ince, who had
stopped by to purchase a new
snooker table, has also sneaked
a peak at the collection.
“The
display used to be up at the
World Championships in
Sheffield
every year”, explains Mike,
who has worked at Thurston’s
for 40 years.
“Unfortunately,
the new sponsors don’t have
room for it anymore. It’s a
shame because the collection is
of an exceptional quality and
should be seen by more
people.”
|
