On the evening of Thursday 2^nd April the Club pavilion was partially destroyed by fire after entry had been made by an unknown intruder. Estimates for the repair were received within the region of £1500. 

Following the fire the Club was approached by Pinkney Bros. (Builders) with the idea of leasing or buying the land to build squash courts. Beresford & Co. (Estate Agents) intimated that they had clients who might be interested in purchasing the land and would find the Club alternative accommodation. These alternatives were rejected by the Committee who agreed that a new pavilion should be erected. 

The Club accepted the offer of £1507 from the insurance company in final settlement for the cost of repair. On Saturday 14^th November demolition started on part of the pavilion. 

With money required for re-building, various fund raising projects were proposed. One such project was a ‘200’ Club with members subscribing £6 per year, becoming social members with quarterly prize draws. This project was got under way by Mr D Batten; the first draw taking place in October with a 1^st prize of £14.

The demolition of the remainder of the old pavilion was completed and the site cleared in preparation for the new building. Based on an estimate of £6000 to replace building and furniture, a grant of £2615 was made available from the Department of the Environment. To cover some of the remaining cost a loan of £1200 was made available from the Lawn Tennis Association. 

To safeguard the Clubs interests an architect was appointed and a firm order for the building was placed in April. The grants enabled the pavilion to include changing rooms with showers, kitchen, bar lounge and recreation hall. 

With completion of the pavilion came arrangements for fitting out the bar for which several breweries were consulted, the Courage Brewery being chosen. Terms for letting of the pavilion for functions and a new set of rules for the management of the Club were also produced. 

The first committee meeting to be held in the new pavilion was in December.

The final cost of the pavilion was £5811. £4223 was covered by grants from the Department of the Environment, London Borough of Havering and the fire insurance. This left £1588 provided by the Club of which £1200 was financed by an LTA loan. 

Concern was expressed over the use of the Club grounds bordering the rear of gardens in Melstock Avenue. A few neighbours had been using this land for allotments, some of them since the war, others just keeping the ground tidy. It was felt prudent to point out to these neighbours that at some time this land may be required for development of the Club and that there had never been any formal agreements to its use as allotments. 

Plans were put in hand to apply for planning permission for additional courts and to enquire about loans to finance this project and the resurfacing of the existing courts.

A Club badge was chosen and produced in the Club colours of amber and black. 

The existing grey shale courts were resurfaced in red shale by Gazes Ltd at a cost of £4217; this included laying a water supply to the courts and drainage repairs. 

There was concern regarding the Lombardy poplar trees in the grounds both from members and surrounding neighbours. Letters were sent to neighbours in Cranston Park Avenue and Brackendale Gardens requesting their views, after which the majority of the trees were removed from the grounds. 

A Club publication in the form of a quarterly newsletter was produced with distribution to all members. 

The completion of the new pavilion had also revitalised the social side with considerable work and effort by the Social Secretary. Three discos, annual dance, car treasure hunt, cheese and wine party, Indian evening and barbecue giving a £260 contribution to funds, showing a 40% increase on the previous year. Additionally the first fete within the grounds was held, making a profit of £460.

The tennis dress code was relaxed with agreement that coloured tennis shirts could be worn for ordinary club play but not for matches or tournaments. 

The Club donated a trophy to the Essex League for the Ladies division 2 winners, which was named the ‘Cranston Park Trophy’.

A planning application was submitted for three new courts and floodlighting but had to be reconsidered as the floodlighting aspect had to be withdrawn due to pressure from local residents. 

A brick built barbecue was constructed which, with profits made from functions, paid for itself by July. Socially fondue evenings became a new venture. 

In October the remainder of the poplar trees were felled because they had become dangerous. Professional tree fellers cut the trunks and large branches with Club members manning the ropes to control the fall.

The post of Junior Secretary was created to be included as a member of the Management Committee. 

Estimates were received for the three additional courts from Fernden Ltd, Grassphalte Ltd and Gazes Ltd with the latter receiving the contract at a cost of £8825. This was for three all weather hard courts, colour sprayed red and green. Loans were arranged from the National Playing Fields Association for £850, the LTA for £1500 and a Club member for £2000 but the majority was made available from funds. The Contractors also offered a deferred payment of £1500 for one year at a very favourable interest rate. 

Construction of courts 5-7

The junior section was thriving with a full membership of 150 and a waiting list of around 30. 

The Greene King Brewery offered their services for the supply of beers, wines and spirits, with assistance for furnishing the bar if it was extended. The changeover from Courage to Greene King went ahead. 

The Dinner Dance was held at Furze Hill for which 146 tickets had been sold. The social events that became really popular were the fondue evenings, which were selling out two months in advance.

The coaching of the juniors on Monday evenings became too much for just two coaches, so two additional coaches were appointed to assist. 

Plans for a pavilion extension were approved with various stages of development. It was decided to proceed with the first stage which included extensions to the changing rooms and kitchen, a bar store, entrance and waiting area. Finance for the project was assisted by loans from the Sports Council and LTA.