Formed: 1906 Members: 150-plus

Meets: Tuesday and Friday evenings

Contact: Club captain David Parry on 07710-083717

 

Founded in 1906, Kendal Lawn Tennis Club has survived two World Wars and lived to tell the tale.

It has more than 150 members across a huge age range, including the oldest swinger in town.

Aged 88 and a keen dancer, Donald Dixon still glides across the court, albeit slightly slower than some younger counterparts.

At the other end of the spectrum, some youngsters are tipped for glory such as James Griffin, the club’s hottest prospect and already ranked in the top 20 in England for the under ten age group.

“We are the perfect springboard for young talent,” said club chairman Caz Graham The Appleby Road club offers a mixture of social and competitive tennis every week.

During summer, adults and juniors alike can turn up on Tuesday and Friday evenings to play doublesor singles.

But according to Caz, the winter evenings are the most exciting.

“Sessions are floodlit in winter and there’s nothing quite like playing outdoors when the moon’s full and the frost’s beginning to bite. We love it! We’ve played in frost, rain, sleet and hail!”

But Kendal Lawn Tennis Club members do not just have fun on the court – this summer’s Pimms, Strawberries and Cream Day is being organised, although the jury is out as to whether it will beat the Christmas fancy dress.

Indeed, the club’s vibrant social scene is well known.

“Back in the olden days it was the place to come and meet your partner,” said Gillian Cochrane, clubsecretary.

The club does also play some serious competitive fixtures in the Kendal and District Tennis League, in which it has six teams.

As a family orientated club, during the summer and Easter school holidays the club runs coaching sessions for children, even if they are not members.

For anybody unsure about taking up tennis as a hobby, Gillian has some words of advice.

“Tennis is a sport you can do throughout your life, right the way to being an OAP! We’re very friendly – you can come on your own and find people who will want to play with you.”

For details, call club captain David Parry on 07710-083717.

Would you like to feature in Our Club? Contact allan.tunningley@kendal.newsquest.co.uk

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