Our Story
In 1982 the Hingham Playing Field Association (HPFA) was set up by Dick Stickland, Tim Denny and Jane Mackie to purchase a site off Hardingham Street for a Hingham recreation ground, now known as The Welcomme Space.
During the 1980s the site of the current Sports Centre was a field owned by the Shingfield family on which Hingham Football Club maintained a pitch, using a wooden hut to change. In 1986, Hingham Cricket Club reformed. After cutting out a cricket square, they shared the field and changing hut with the footballers.
The field was subsequently acquired by Hingham Town Council who leased it to HPFA. A later committee of Tony Harmer, Jim Welcomme, John Evered and Cathy Norris decided to improve the football and cricket facilities and create a Sports Centre for multiple sports including Badminton and Short Mat Bowls. Initially, a multi-purpose games area was developed for football and tennis.
After much fund raising, grant and mortgage applications, and Jim Welcomme securing a loan with a charge against his own home, work to build the Sports Centre started on the 11th September 1989.
Many local businesses and individuals contributed, and the Hingham Sports Centre (HSC) was officially opened on the 23rd of September 1990 by Sir Trevor Brooking.
In 1990, Hingham Sports & Social Club, now trading as Abraham’s Bar & Clubhouse, was formed to run the bar.
In 2017, members of Hingham Tennis club successfully applied for grants to transform the multi purpose games area and provide two all weather surfaced tennis courts and a small clubhouse.
HSC has been part of the local community for many years, with its facilities changing as the town’s needs changed. What began as a space for sport has become a well-loved community hub, bringing people together through teamwork and a shared love of being active.
From its earliest days the Centre was built on a simple belief that sport should be accessible to all. Thanks to the dedication of local volunteers, supporters and users, HSC continues to evolve – adapting its facilities, expanding activities and welcoming new generations
Over the years, countless matches have been played, friendships formed and memories made on our courts and playing fields. While the sports and equipment have changed, our purpose stays the same: to serve the community, support wellbeing and provide a welcoming place where everyone belongs.
As a charity-run Sports Centre, we are extremely proud of our past and excited for the future – we continue to invest in our facilities and programs so that HSC remains at the heart of the community.
