TRURO

Affiliated to the Cornwall LTA

Lawn Tennis Club

More than 100 members of Truro Tennis Club gathered on Friday 1 June 2007 to celebrate 20 years of the Newbridge Lane courts – although the event was overshadowed by fears for the club’s future under a controversial Carrick District Council plan for a new road carrying 20,000 cars a day less than 20 feet away.

Nevertheless, they put aside their concerns for the night and partied like it was 1987 - when the club was established at Newbridge Lane.

The courts were full all evening, and non-players enjoyed a barbeque and live music, toasting the club with a glass of bubbly. A display of photographs and a spread from the ‘West Briton’ recording the opening of the new courts jogged the memories of older members who helped landscape and develop the site.

Club Social Secretary Sue Hall, who oversaw the organisation of the event, said: “It’s really wonderful to see everyone here enjoying themselves – not just so many people, but the span from those who established this club here in the first place to the new generation of junior players enjoying these great facilities now.”

The celebration was paid for by a bequest left by former club President, the late Cyril Holmes. Current President Dr. Asad Ansari cut the anniversary cake and reminded everyone just how well the club has flourished since the move, both on and off the courts – providing the backbone of the county teams, regularly winning both men’s and women’s leagues…and excelling at mixed doubles by match-making at least four marriages. He also paid tribute to club coach Ryan Fern, describing him as the best this side of the Tamar – which the members quickly amended to the best this side of the Wash.

14 year old junior member Claire Tressider was invited to pick the prize ticket out of the hat for free coaching lessons from Ryan – and managed to draw her own, to general amusement.

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