Courts can be used more in winter

TENNIS players in Sidmouth will no longer be left in the dark when it comes to enjoying the sport in the winter months.

Sidmouth Tennis Club has raised more than �35,000 to install floodlights for its courts.

The club this week thanked the Sid Vale Association’s Keith Owen Fund for serving up a vital �3,000 donation.

Grant Whillance, tennis club chairman, said: “This new facility will provide considerable extra playing capacity, which will be used by all ages and will attract interest from many in the community.

“This expensive asset, completed this month, has long been needed at the club - but progress was frustrated by a shortage of funding.

“Until now, tennis here has been restricted to around 4pm daily between November and March each year.

“The Keith Owen grant is most welcome and we extend our most grateful thanks. We’re delighted with the very generous donation.”

The Reverend Handel Bennett, Keith Owen Fund Committee chairman, said: “We’re pleased to make a contribution towards the cost of installing flood-lighting, which we hope will lead to the extended use of the tennis courts.”

The fund has handed out more than �250,000 in grants to organisations in the Sid Valley since its inception three years ago.

“We hope this may encourage others to apply, who are considering projects which might fit the fund’s objectives and involve voluntary contributions,” added Rev Bennett. The tennis club will stage a gala evening on Thursday, November 17, to mark the significant addition of floodlights, and it is hoped all those who gave invaluable support to the project can attend.

A general invitation is extended to members of the public.

The event will see play on courts involving all age groups from the membership, including exhibition matches.

Off-court there will be a presentation ceremony to junior tournament winners and a ‘formal switch on’ of the floodlights. For more information on Keith Owen Fund grants visit www.sidvaleassociation.org.net.