Lilacs Inn, Isham, Northamptonshire

The Northamptonshire village of Isham falls within the bounds of the Wellingborough & District Skittles League. The Lilacs Inn field a team in the league, playing their home matches on this fine old table, probably a W T Blacks model judging by the appearance.

Until recently the pub had two Pool Tables in the large games/function room, with four teams active in local league play. This is a good indication of how popular the game of Pool has been at a time when other pub games have struggled. But even Pool is not as popular as it once was, and The Lilacs is now down to just the one table with currently no league games played at the pub. The licensee is anticipating the return of league play soon, but for now the noticeboard is exclusively the preserve of the various league and knockout skittles competitions.

A battered and bruised brass plaque on one of the front legs indicates that the skittles table was refurbished in 1997 by John Tonks of Northampton.

Originally the playing surface of these tables would have been  covered with leather, or a cheaper leatherette alternative. Nowadays the surface tends to be of tough and durable Formica, a tasteful grey/blue here, but sometimes more of a pink hue.

This handsome skittles trophy was presented to the pub by Mike O'Hare in 1997, presumably to record the highest individual or average scores over a season. Sadly it was last competed for only a couple of years later.