East Bridgford Tennis Club Celebrates Centenary

“A meeting was held by the kind permission of Mrs Duff at the Old Hall on Monday 29th May 1923 at 8 o’clock to consider forming a public tennis club” – this is the opening entry in the very first Minutes book, in beautiful copperplate writing, which records the beginning of East Bridgford Tennis Club

The club is proud to have celebrated its 100th anniversary on a perfect summer’s afternoon enabling over 80 guests to enjoy the magnificent afternoon tea served with Pimms and champagne. Exhibition matches of coaches past and present playing alongside current team members provided the entertainment which was followed by general play which was open to all.

Speeches and toasts were made by Dot Crawford, Chair of the club, and Christopher Walker, President of Notts LTA, before the official cutting of the cake by Ann Kelly, previous Secretary and long-time member of the club. Special invited guests included Christine Lewis who was instrumental in raising funds for the building of the hard courts which were opened in 1990 enabling the club to eventually move from the original grass courts opposite the church to the current site alongside the Sports Pavilion which is also used by Cricket, Bowls, Football and the local Academy of St Peter’s .

The club is now thriving with a membership of around 180 holding social sessions throughout the week as well as coaching sessions and 10 teams playing in the county doubles leagues from Div 1 down.

The club is well set up to look forward to the next 100 years!