If you have thought about having a go at playing tennis then now is the time to do it. Sidmouth Tennis Club is embarking on a drive for new members.

If you have thought about having a go at playing tennis then now is the time to do it. Sidmouth Tennis Club is embarking on a drive for new members. It's a friendly club with a great social calendar and is ready to welcome anyone wanting to take up the game irrespective of age or ability.Tennis has been played at the club, which has a wonderful location just up from the promenade and overlooking the sea, for over 125 years. It has much to offer, with facilities including three all-weather tarmac courts and one grass court. It is part of Sidmouth Cricket, Tennis, Croquet and Hockey Club which has a thatched pavilion shared with other sports, showers, bar and refreshments. A number of open sessions are planned in the near future, further details of which will be published shortly.l Last weekend the Sidmouth Club were hosts to the DOC, a group of tennis enthusiasts from Guildford and Weybridge in Surrey who were making their 17th consecutive annual visit. These weekends were established by a phone call to the late Geoff Way, who was a stalwart of the Sidmouth Club, and this year it was thought fitting that the valuable part played by Geoff should be recognised by the presentation of a trophy in his name to the winners of the match played on the Sunday morning. The 2008 encounter was played in glorious sunshine with a number of close-fought games but in the end it was the DOC who were announced the winners. David Foord-Divers, skipper of the DOC, accepted the trophy with much pride and in a short speech stated how much everyone once again had enjoyed the weekend and looked forward to defending the trophy next year. The wind and rain the previous day had forced the abandonment of the 'American Tournament', which had attracted an excellent entry, but, undaunted, 40 members attended the social function held in the pavilion in the evening.l Sidmouth Tennis Club is a marvellous place to play tennis, coupled with opportunities to make new friends.For those readers wanting to find out more please do not hesitate to phone Guy Patton (01395) 519635 or Grant Whillance (01395) 514558, or just call in at the pavilion to pick up a leaflet.