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Playing on the Green B Billiards evolved in the 15th century from a game played outside on lawns. The name billiards probably originating from the French for stick, ‘billard’ or ball, ‘bille’. It was played indoors on tables covered in green baize to simulate grass. The tables were not a standard size and had flat walls, or rails, around the edges to prevent the balls rolling off. Billiard balls were pushed around the table using large-headed mallets or ‘maces’. The balls were originally made of ivory, an average elephant’s tusk only providing three to four balls (fortunately for the elephants the invention of plastics meant billiard balls could be made from this). Whilst playing, it was difficult to strike a ball with the large head of the mace when a ball was near the rail. Some players would turn it round and use the handle, known as the ‘tail’ or ‘queue’ in French. Hence, we now know it as the cue and it was further developed in the 1600s. Mary Queen of Scots was said to enjoy a game of billiards. In 1586 her castle in Scotland was invaded and she was forbidden to use her billiard table. It is reported that after Queen Mary was executed her body was covered by her billiard table cover. In the 18th century captain Minguard, an Infantry Officer in the French army, was credited with the invention of the leather cue tip whilst being held prisoner for “political outspokedness”. Carbonated lime, blackboard chalk, was rubbed on the end of the cue to increase friction. The “chalk” used now is made of fi ne abrasives and doesn’t contain chalk at all. By 1835 slabs of slate were used on the bed which forms the playing surface (a full-sized table requires five slabs). Ten years later, around 1845, the invention of vulcanised rubber meant it could be utilised on the rails to form cushions. Around 1870 billiards was popular with the British Army. Sir Neville Chamberlain, then a serving offi cer in the army, devised a game which combined the rules of similar games. He called it after the military term for inexperienced or fi rst year personnel: Snooker. The cloth now used on snooker tables is not baize, as is generally supposed. Baize is used in furnishing, lining drawers and on card tables etc. The cloth on snooker tables, woollen worsted, is far superior and seems to improve year by year. This cloth generates less friction, allowing the balls to travel further on the table. It gives players better control of their shot; such as back spin or screw, top spin, and side spin. Snooker became extremely popular after 1969 when David Attenborough commissioned ‘Pot St Chad’s Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats Church Offi ce: Linden Avenue, Sheffi eld S8 0GA Tel: (0114) 274 5086 Page 14 email: offi ce@stchads.org website: www.stchads.org
Baize at St Chad’s Black’ to demonstrate the potential of colour television. Interest increased when in 1978 the World Snooker Championship was first televised in full, it having been fi rst played at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre the year before. Nowadays there are many professional tournaments internationally and the Chinese have entered the game in a big way producing their own very proficient players. Although pool is very popular, many amateurs still like a game of snooker and there are many clubs throughout Sheffield, one being at St Chad’s Church House where I enjoy playing. St Chad’s is a member of the Church League of Snooker Players and we are happy to say we have won the League Cup in previous years. The table is full sized and situated on the fi rst fl oor (heaven knows how they got it up there). We always welcome players and would be pleased to hear from anyone who would like to join us. To find out more leave a message for me at the church offi ce by calling 0114 274 5086. Dave Harris St Chad’s Church, Linden Avenue, Woodseats Church Offi ce: Linden Avenue, Sheffi eld S8 0GA Tel: (0114) 274 5086 Page 15 email: offi ce@stchads.org website: www.stchads.org
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