A MEMORABLE gala evening, staged by Sidmouth Cricket, Tennis, Croquet and Hockey Club last Thursday, was enjoyed by around 100 people.

The event helped mark the formal ‘switch-on’ of new floodlights and provided an opportunity for the membership to express their gratitude to all who had helped make them a reality.

A number of honoured guests were among a bumper attendance that assembled court-side to watch proud club president Sheila Adams officially turn on the lights, which cost more than �35,000, for the first time.

Tennis club chairman, Grant Whillance, acting as master of ceremonies, gave a vote of thanks to all those who had generously supported the appeal and worked hard to bring it to such a satisfactory conclusion. The Reverend Handel Bennett, chairman of the Sid Vale Association’s Keith Owen Fund Committee, said how pleased he and colleagues were to be able to support the project.

Rev Bennett said Keith Owen would thoroughly have approved of the project as he had lived close to the club.

He also reminded the audience that the fund would welcome future applications from organisations from within the Sid Valley with prospective schemes.

“All in all the evening was seen as a great success in promoting the activities of all club sections and the important role that it plays in serving the needs of the local community,” said the tennis club’s David Thorneley.