The Tennis Club

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The Lacey Green & Loosley Row Tennis Club is a section of the Lacey Green and Loosley Row Sports Club.

1962 Lease for Extra Land to enable a tennis court to be built in the southeast corner of the Sports Club grounds.

10th January 1962.

Lease between Richard Montague West and Hilda Elsie West both of Stocken Farm Lacey Green in the County of Buckingham, "the landlords", of the one part and Edwin Leonard Biggs of "Wayside Cottage", Lacey Green and Herbert Steven Tong of "Woodfield Cottage", Lacey Green "the Trustees"

Left Dan (coach) right Nigel Glenister

Schedule. The Landlords leased to the Trustees - All that piece of land situate at Lacey Green having a frontage of 15 feet against Slad Lane and a depth therefrom of 140 feet (upon which to build a tennis court) to hold for the term of 86 years from the 1st January 1962 for the yearly rent of one peppercorn on the first day of each year. For the full terms and conditions click The Sports Club leases

The Official Opening. The club started with just one hard court which was completed in August 1962 at a cost of just under £900. It was officially opened by the Bateman family on 1 September and was in use most weekends until Christmas, when snow prevented play until late March!

1962 The Tennis Club Founded. The original tennis club Minutes Book and correspondence give an interesting insight into how the club was founded in 1962 and development to 1982-83.

On 4 July 1962, the Sports Club formed a Tennis section. Mr W Lacey chaired the inaugural meeting and formed a committee comprising R Biggs - Secretary, G May - Treasurer and 3 other members: A Luxford, E Mines and G Baker.

Annual subscriptions were set at 20/- (£1) for seniors and 10/- (50p) for juniors. The one and only court was built in September 1962 at a cost of £900 with grants of £300 from the Ministry of Education and £600 from the Sports Club. Whilst having only one court, the club used other private courts around the village for league fixtures.

Membership in 1965 was 18 seniors and 12 Juniors. With a tremendous fund-raising effort and various grants, the original court was resurfaced and the second and third courts were built in the early 1980’s on land generously leased by the late Mr John West.

Issues discussed at the early AGMs concerned the state of the court, grass cutting, nettles, tournaments, social evenings, and of course much needed fund-raising for court repairs and improvement. Sounds familiar - some things never change - apart from the subscriptions!

Hallmark December 1982. Tennis Club. reporting Diane Bradley (click Wyndham & Diane Bradley for more about Diane.

The Club has had an active and enjoyable year. Good tennis and profitable social events. Membership now stands at 50 Senior Members and 40 Juniors.

Club nights are held on Wednesday evenings and this season we suggested Sunday mornings should also be regarded as club mornings, encouraging, we hope, people to just turn up and be able to get a game without pre-arrangement. Wednesdays prove particularly popular and thanks to the kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Plowman (John & Frankie Plowman) in letting us use their court in Church Lane, we had good sessions - almost too many people on occasions, which stresses the need for a second court.

We successfully entered the Aylesbury and District Tennis League Division 6 and won the Mixed League and came third in the Mens League. This is very encouraging

Our affiliation to the L.T.A. enabled us to purchase Wimbledon tickets and we had a draw to decide the lucky purchasers.

Junior coaching was continued this year to encourage our younger players. A qualified coach, coached for two one week sessions during the summer. Informal coaching on Saturday mornings was also held.

Fund raising has still dominated our activities this year. We have had two successful: Dances, a Jumble Sale and an American Tournament in July which was followed by a Barbeque open to all members and friends. We tried a new venture in April - a Race Night. This was enjoyable and profitable, but we needed more customers. Very recently we had a friendly Cheese and Wine evening in the Sports Pavilion.

Once again, we shall hold our Christmas Dinner in the Pavilion. This has become an established annual event, not regarded as fund raising but a gathering of members. Last year we had to cope with being snowed up, but with the loan of John West's Landrover, which was able to struggle down to Loosley Row to collect the committee and the turkey etc., we had a very good evening. It is good to see our own club house used for this event and we had a "full house". We hope for more clement weather this year.

This year we tried a new venture to extend the Tennis Club's winter activities. Once a month we reserved a court at Bisham Abbey's splendid new sports centre. This proved popular with a limited number of members who wended their way to Bisham during the winter months. We are continuing this activity this year and hope a growing number of members will play.

The problems of siting the second court have been overcome. We have accrued the money - loans, grants, the 100 Club which is still our main source of income, and profits from our fund raising activities. Construction has now started and, at the time this report reaches you, we should have a second tennis court ready.

Hallmark April 1981. Bob Barton reporting. The Club is on an upbeat at the moment. Interminable plans to build a second court of our own are hardening up. We hope to build most of it ourselves over the next 12 months. Advice, here, or labour, would earn not a lot, except much gratitude, and a few drinks.

We have had a rush of blood to the head and joined a men's league. So a few new, or even not so new, men would be handy. Then there's a veritable social whirl of extra-mural activities. Watch for the monster jumble sale next month.

We have fixed an LTA coach for the juniors this year. It may be we can get him to take some of us in hand as well, if enough want it. All secured for an inflation-beating basic £10 a year, with concessions for families, which means your own key and virtually unlimited access to the court.

Go on - gives us a try. I'm on 5824; Match Secretary on 3037, and secretary Diane Bradley on 4512. Or just turn up at our corner of the sports field any Wednesday evening about 7pm if it is fine. You never know, you may enjoy yourself.

Hallmark August 1983. Alan Prince reporting. The advent of the hot weather has encouraged more and more people to play tennis this year with new faces on the courts every week.

The new court which has recently been rolled is already showing dividends particularly on Wednesday club night.

On July 10th the club held an 'American Tournament' followed by a bareque at the Sports Club in the evening, both of which were very well supported by members, families and friends. Our thanks to Ron the chef de cuisine, all the ladies and particularly Mr and Mrs Plowman for the use of their court.

Our congratulations to the tournament winners Iain Rankin and Lorna Tony

An on-going singles ladder has been inaugerated this season.

Hallmark October 1985. Extract from Sports Club report. - "Due to its substantial fund-raising efforts the Tennis Club should be able to commission the construction of a third tennis court to begin at the end of May. This has also been helped along with loans being received from the Sports Council and the L.T.A.

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Hallmark February 1987 report by Barrie Edwards at Main Club meeting, "The Annual Christmas Dinner was held at the Pavilion on 13th December with a full house as usual. A successful and healthy £140 profit. Many thanks to all helpers.

Indoor tennis is played every Wednesday at Bisham Abbey and for the particularly crazy amongst us the winter leagues resume in mid-January.

The summer league and club nights start in April and we look forward to plenty of competitive and social tennis with hopefully a few new faces. All standards of players are welcome; contact Maureen Kelly on P.Ris 4010.

Hallmark May 1998. Report by Patricia Johnstone. (click Paul & Trisha Johnstone for more about Patricia)

You're Pete Sampras and looking for a game? You were Chris Evert in a past life?

The kids are a cross between Mc Enroe and couch potatoes?

You'd prefer to be shaped more like Tim Henman than Tinky-Winky.

Well, now's your chance. Get the family down to the tennis courts in Lacey Green. It’s free during national tennis week (23-30th May) and to start you off there's a fabulous fun-day on 23rd May. There will be competitions and tournaments for all ages, plus refreshments and bar, so you can bring all the family. Look out for the posters.

Perhaps you didn't even realise that there was a local tennis club playing at 3 hard courts in Lacey Green. Joining is very easy. Just fill in the application form printed in this issue of Hallmark, and send it with a cheque, to Jane Clayton, our membership secretary. You will then have access to the courts whenever you wish and can also enjoy club tennis on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings. There is league tennis for juniors and tennis coaching is available through Paul Johnstone with reduced prices for members.

A lot of work has gone into preparing the courts for the new season – thanks to Andy Stone. The weekend spent cleaning the courts was hard work and testimony to the enthusiasm of Andy, Hugh, Mike and Paul who put in such back-breaking effort. A tractor and water bowser were kindly provided for the operation by John West. He was rewarded by it being vandalised and the radio stolen when it was parked at the sports field overnight. Surely there must be something more interesting to do?

Our recent social event – The Western night at the village hall – was a great success thanks to the enormous efforts of David and Julia Richardson and other helpers. Everyone who enjoyed their food that night will be pleased to know that David and Julia will be doing the catering for the open day.

So, if you've been meaning to do more exercise, get back in practice or even learn to play, make a resolution now.

Note by Joan West (President of the Sports Club) It was brought to my attention that both the Chairman and the Secretary of the Tennis Club had joined another club, and had not been seen on the Lacey Green courts. I contacted them and suggested that they resign and although their club AGM was not due they should call an EGM before they left. This they did. calling the meeting for 25th August 1997.

Hallmark August 1998. Report by Patricia Johnstone

Just over a year ago, despite the enthusiasm of a few members and the possession of three good courts, the Lacey Green and Loosley Row Sports Club Tennis Section was rapidly heading for oblivion. The paucity of members was leading the remaining few to look for their tennis elsewhere, and it was obvious that drastic remedies were needed to head off this state of affairs.

To try to spark some action, Sports Club President Joan West contacted a number of people with a view to holding an Extraordinary General Meeting and electing a completely new committee. This meeting took place on the 25th August last, a new committee was duly elected with Hugh Edwards in the chair.

Hallmark caught up with Hugh recently, and he takes the story on from there...

“Once elected the committee set out three basic aims...

1) To encourage junior membership and development,

2) To create an active club with as many as possible playing the game, and,

3) To move towards competitive team tennis, with membership of the Aylesbury League as a target.

It was obvious that in order to set about the first of these targets, coaching would need to be the top priority, along with visiting coaches Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy. Whilst Linda Gaffin was already involved with ‘short tennis’ at Lacey Green School, Paul Johnstone sent himself on a tennis coaching course at Cambridge, and received his qualification. As a result, there are up to 70 juniors attending coaching sessions during the week, and a junior team plays in the Aylesbury League.

Meanwhile Linda has an excellent liaison with the school, and importantly with the Wycombe Council and Tennis Development Officer, Lynne Moxon, which connection enabled the supply of equipment in the shape of racquets, balls and mini-tennis nets.

The club has re-affiliated to the LTA, and Paul organised support for national Tennis week, which locally meant an “Open Tennis Week” when the courts were free to all, a tournament was held with amongst other attractions a free barbecue and in all over 70 people attended despite it being half-term week when many families are away.

Future plans involve junior coaching which could be free to those considered to have special talents, as is happening with two girls – it is considered best if they can be ‘caught’ as young as 8 – there were even two six-year-olds at the tournament held on President’s Day!

Promotional activity will be sustained, as recently evidenced by the ‘Western Night’ for which David and Julia Richardson pulled the stops out. Membership application forms were distributed through the village which produced many new members.

There is currently an Under 16 team in the mixed league, and next year both men’s and ladies’ teams are planned.

An active club is always very dependent on the input of members into maintaining their environment, and with this in mind working parties spent much time and effort in renovating the courts (a very dirty, physical job by all accounts!), and Andy Stone has put many hours on the surrounds of hedge and fence to keep the courts in good order.

In conclusion, at a time when the whole country seems to be football mad, the effort needed to hold the appeal of tennis is even greater, but can be done”.

One can only admire the dedication of those involved in what must have seemed almost a hopeless case, and give them every support for the future.

Stop Press. Paul Johnstone our tennis coach at the club can now offera same-day re-stringing service at very competative prices.

Hallmark November 1998. Report by Patricia Johnstone. It is now a year since the new committee took up the reins, and it seems fitting to review the fortunes of the Tennis Club over the past 12 months. It is with pleasure that we can report that the paid-up membership has more than doubled, and links with the school have been strengthened with 70 or so children signing up for coaching during the summer term. However with three courts there is plenty of capacity for more members. Next year we will try to boost club tennis with more informal tournaments and club mornings, with creche facilities to enable people with young children to parcipitate more easily.

The next few months will be quiet for the club, with just a few stalwarts braving the weather to play outdoors, but already plans are afoot for a big event next year, so don't think we've gone away. Happy Christmas!

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Hallmark February 2022 reporting Nigel Glenister.

This year, it has been relatively mild (so far), and the Sunday morning club sessions have generally been sunny. We normally experience a drop in attendance during the winter period, but these club sessions have had record numbers. Perhaps it’s the weather or New Year’s resolutions, but whatever, it’s great to see so many.

On Sunday 9th January we took the opportunity to show members our new trophy for Club Of The Year which we received at the Bucks Lawn Tennis AGM in November. The award was for the progress that the club has made over the last few years and the substantial upgrade in facilities. The Japanese have a great word “kaizen”, meaning continuous improvement and certainly the club cannot afford to rest on its laurels.

This year, our focus is on building a clubhouse by the courts which has toilet facilities and an open plan kitchen with plenty of glass facing the courts. We have just appointed a local architect and we are looking forward to seeing his ideas.

This is going to be an expensive project and will require a lot of effort from members in terms of fund raising and will be reliant on us being successful with grant applications. It’s not going to be easy, but we hope to complete the building in 2023 or early 2024.

A clubhouse will obviously have numerous benefits, not least allowing us to host our own events by the courts. Social events are an important part of the club, and we try to do as many as possible throughout the year.

In late November, 41 members had a very enjoyable Christmas dinner at the Pink and Lily. It’s not easy catering for hungry tennis players, but the Pink and Lily produced excellent food with good service too. It was a lovely evening and the club managed to raise some £300 via a raffle kindly organised by Jackie Coles.

I was also delighted to be invited to Dan’s beginners’ class Christmas dinner at the Black Horse. The word “beginners” does them a disservice, they have improved massively over the past year or so. Anyway AJ, the new Black Horse chef produced a fantastic Christmas menu which we all enjoyed.

Hallmark February 2023. Excerpt from the report by Nigel Glenister

The men’s 1st team currently sit second in division 5 with a very good chance of promotion this year. The men’s 2nd team, having been promoted last year are struggling in division 7 and sit second from bottom. The points are quite close, so a couple of wins could save them from relegation.

Our ladies’ team are steadily improving and benefiting from a larger pool of players. The extra practice sessions have paid off and they sit 3rd in division 8 with every chance of promotion.

The mixed team are mid table with a mixed bag of results. Having been promoted last year, a year of consolidation would be a good result.

Off court we had a record number of social activities. On 26th November 40 members enjoyed a fabulous Christmas meal at The Pink and Lily. Dan our tennis coach also had his DAFTA awards (Dan’s award for tennis achievement) which were presented during the evening and were highly amusing. Categories included the player who had lost the most balls, time keeping and the worst on court jokes. I may have won one of those awards!

Dan’s Monday improvers group organise a few social activities throughout the year and had a lovely meal at the Black Horse at the beginning of December. The year was completed with both the men and ladies going out. The men had a curry evening at the Radhuni and the ladies had a meal at a Thai restaurant in High Wycombe. We were all impressed with the subsequent video that was circulated showing their hand co-ordination and high-spirited festive singing to Twelve Days of Christmas!

Planning permission for our new pavilion was finally approved on 19th October and since then we have installed a standpipe by the shed and are awaiting Thames Water to connect us in Slad Lane. We are also looking to replace some of our older wooden benches with more modern heavy duty plastic ones. I am grateful to the Parish Council for their continued support and thank them for their recent grant.

Finally, | was pleased to award prizes to two members of the year. Jackie Coles has done an amazing job with fund-raising, putting in hours of work together with her partner Mike. Also, one of our newer members, Simon Floyd has really engaged with the club, playing lots of tennis and introducing a number of his friends to the club. Well done both, here’s to a great 2023!