The first tennis club that existed on the present site ran from 1946 to 1962. Originally it had two grass courts and these continued until 1951 when they were resurfaced with tarmac.
The present club was formed in 1967 following the great expansion of the village with several new housing estates such as the Heath Drive and Crossfields developments.
Founder members of the present club were faced with filling pot holes, erecting netting around the courts to protect them and generally promoting interest in the village to raise money for this rebuilding. The “club house” then was just the small building with two stories which is still there today. In those days it had no sides or front!
In 1968 the two courts were resurfaced with gravelled tarmac and the lower hut was reconstructed. The membership was now large enough to start a Club Tournament, which ran throughout the summer.
By 1972 the club was flourishing with 106 members. Open evenings started on Tuesdays and Fridays. The same year a third court was constructed.
In 1978, after many years of discussion, the present club hut was bought and erected. This involved digging away a large area of the bank dividing the Tennis Club from the Bowling Club behind, the bowling green being on a level with the roof of the tennis hut!. The members did this work themselves for the most part. After several abortive attempts with various huts, eventually the present one was erected on the site.
1984 saw the installation of water and electricity, and the 4th court was constructed.
In 1989, at last, a flush toilet was installed! The long delay was due to there being no sewage drains nearby. A septic tank was installed to solve the problem. Prior to that there was an Elson toilet in the top hut. It was so unsavoury that visiting Ladies teams were usually escorted to the nearest member’s house before the match began! Male committee members emptied the inner container from time to time. These sexist days are over!
In 2003 the two top courts were resurfaced with plastic grass.
Then, in March 2006, the two bottom courts were resurfaced also with the same material.
In 2007 it will be the 40th Anniversary of the present Tarvin Tennis Club and plans are under way to celebrate the occasion in style; details will be posted on the website.
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