John R. T. Tarver – "Father of Golf" in Leighton Buzzard.
Article by H.H Adam, April 2022
John Ronald Tulloch Tarver was born in Eton, Buckinghamshire in 1874. His parents were Francis Batten Cristall Tarver (46, father) and Sarah Elizabeth Tulloch (26, mother). We know little of his early life, other than that education of children (school attendance) became compulsory for all aged 5 to 10, in August 1880, so John would have had good education.
It is known that he became associated with the Rothschild Estate at Ascott, Wing, Leighton Buzzard from about 1897, which is when his golfing exploits gained first recognition. In March 1896 a golf course was established in Grovebury Road, Leighton Buzzard – thought to be on land at Grovebury Farm and consisting of 9 holes.
The first recorded competition was a match organised between a team appointed by a Mr. H. J. Gibson and a team from the Grovebury Club, captained by Mr. J. R. T. Tarver (then aged 24). Tarver’s team triumphed as he himself did, emphatically. Medal competitions were instituted, and again, John Tarver featured, winning or being runner-up and becoming a single-figure player. He captained the unmarried players in a match against the married, and while the result was a tie, Tarver , won his individual match. Sadly, the Grovebury Club was destined to fail before the advent of the 20th century, but an attempt to resurrect it came along four years later in 1905, and a fledgling Leighton Buzzard Golf Club was borne. It seemed at first successful, and again, John Tarver was a prominent member and as far as can be determined, Club Captain again. In 1906, the club was said to be in capital condition and flourishing, and Mr. Tarver presented a gold medal* for competition amongst the members. Winners each year would receive a silver replica. Sadly again, that medal had few winners as the club again folded in 1908, as access to the site at Grovebury farm was proving too inconvenient and difficult for most members. Despite an offer of land near the station and close to the main road, there seems to be no record of this being taken up, and so golf in Leighton Buzzard stopped for the meantime. Along came WW1, and the money (£4/15s) left from the failed enterprise was donated to the Prince of Wales Fund.
Meanwhile John Tarver was running the estate at Ascott. He found love and marriage, and in 1912, as reported in the Beds. Advertiser and Luton Times, of September 20, 1912 – “ The Marriage took place at Kingstown, Ireland on Saturday, of Mr. J. R. T. Tarver, of Ascott, Leighton Buzzard, and Miss Garth, daughter of Mrs. H. M. Hartigan, of Mile Bush House, Linslade. Mr. Tarver is widely known in Mid Bucks as Mr. Leopold de Rothschild’s private secretary, and personally is extremely popular. Hearty good wishes have been expressed on all hands for the future health and happiness of the bride and bridegroom. The presents received by the bridegroom included a carved settee from the workmen at the Ascott Estate.”
The following year The Bucks Herald of Saturday October 25th reported “Lord Rothschild’s Stag Hounds. Ladies and Gentlemen wishing to hunt with the above pack during the coming season are requested to send in their names to the Hon. Secretary – J. Tarver, Ascott Cottage, Wing, Leighton Buzzard.”
With the ending of WW1, thoughts of golf would never be far from John Tarver’s mind. Although Golf in Leighton Buzzard had a stuttering start, it was not yet done. Like a phoenix from the ashes, a Club was resurrected yet again, when in 1924, land in Heath and Reach known as “The Craddocks”, used for sheep and cattle grazing, was offered to rent for the purpose of golf. Mr. H. B. Grotrian, MP, owner of the Knolls in Plantation Road offered an interested group including John Tarver as well as Mr. Jack Lucking, Mr. Joe Labrum and Mr. Laurence Faulkener, this nearby land to turn into golf holes. In January 1925 a public meeting was held to settle the matter. The Beds and Herts Pictorial of Tuesday February 3rd 1925 reported the following: "Leighton Golf Course. Possible Extension Later. A decision to form a golf club for Leighton Buzzard was come to at a meeting at the Swan Hotel, Leighton Buzzard on Saturday evening. Mr. H. B. Grotrian MP, who had previously made an offer of 57 acres of land at "The Craddocks", Plantation Road, presided, and it was on his proposition, seconded by Mr. J. R. Tarver, that the decision was arrived at. Mr. Tarver said that he had visited the site three times, and was sure it would be one of the best 9 hole courses in the district. The land was exceptionally good for the purpose. A lengthy discussion ensued as to whether an 18-hole course should be made, but finally it was decided to commence with nine, and possibly extend later. The membership of the club already numbers 120." Initial subscriptions were 3 guineas for gentlemen and 2 guineas for ladies, with entry fees waived for existing members. (In 2022 value the men’s sub. Is equivalent to £205 and the ladies to £137 so golf was still cheap by today’s standards.) John Tarver became the first Captain of the new club, and subsequently served as President in 1928.
John Tarver had also become a significant character in the service of local education and justice. The Leighton Buzzard Observer of May 23 1939 reported on Wing School Sports where Mr. Tarver, Chairman of the Mangers presented the Shield and the Cups. Again, The LBO of October 31’st of that year, reported on “Wing – The Hub of the Universe”, when Mr. Tarver (Chairman of the Bucks Education Committee) gave a speech and made the presentation of the school prizes in Wing.
Shortly before Anthony de Rothschild donated the Estate at Ascott to the National Trust – (in 1949), John Tarver retired from his duties for the estate. The Bucks Herald of Friday January 24 1947 reported:
“Rothschild Estate Agent’s Retirement.
The recent retirement of Mr. J. R. Tarver as agent of the Rothschild Estate at Ascott will not affect his various County appointments, He told a Herald reporter: “I shall continue to live at Lower Ascott and I hope to be able to give more time to County affairs”. As Chairman of the County Education Committee, Mr. Tarver is playing a prominent part in the development of education. His connection with education extends over a long period. He has been agent of the Rothschild Estate at Ascott since 1914, and his connection with the Rothschild family extends over the last 50 years. Mr. Kenneth Ingram is now in charge of the Ascott Estate office.”
In 1949 The Bucks Herald of October 14 reported on the “Lunacy Act – 1890” – “ I hereby give notice that at the Michaelmas Quarter Session held on the 3rd October, 1949, the following Justices were appointed for the undermentioned Petty Sessional divisions to exercise within the County the powers conferred by the Lunacy Act 1890, upon the Judicial Authority, viz; Petty Divisional Sessions: … Including – for Linslade: Sir Everard Duncombe, Bart, D.S.O. , Great Brickhill Manor J. R. Labrum Esq., 100, Wing Road, Linslade Mrs. Ruth Roberts MBE, The Old Manor, Ivinghoe, Bucks J.R.T. Tarver Esq., Lower Ascott, Wing, Leighton Buzzard”
So John Tarver served in that capacity – alongside J. R. Labrum – who was also a prime instigator, with others, of the new Golf Club on Plantation Road.
A year later, The Bucks Herald, Aylesbury, Friday May 26, 1950 reported “Marriage of Miss H. M. Tarver. Only daughter of County Alderman, J.R.T. Tarver, of Lower Ascott, Wing. Miss Helen Marie Tarver was married at Wing Parish Church, on Saturday to Mr. Harland Rees, of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The Bishop of Buckingham, the Rt. Rev. R. M. Hay, conducted the ceremony.”
John Tarver’s was a long life of service to The Ascott Estate, golf, justice, education and local government. Leighton Buzzard Golf Club owes him both thanks to his part in its establishment as well as to his service to the club both as founding Captain and later as President.
He died in December 1962 – as reported in the Wolverton Express of December 21 of that year:
“Long Service to Bucks Death of Mr. J. R. Tarver The death has taken place of Mr. John R.T. Tarver, a former Vice Chairman of Bucks County Council and for many years, Chairman of the Education Committee. Mr. Tarver, who was 89, died at his home at Lower Ascott, Wing. He was first elected to the County Council and was an alderman for 23 years before he retired from the Council in 1948. He was Chairman of the Education Committee from 1928 to 1949, and Vice-Chairman of the County Council from 1938 to 1946. Mr. Tarver was for many years agent for Mr. Anthony de Rothschild’s Estate at Wing until he retired shortly after the 1939-45 war.”