Tennis club’s wacky Christmas day

A record for the number of players occupying the three all weather courts at the same time at Sidmouth Tennis Club must have been set last Saturday!

This festive season fund-raising fun event, so expertly promoted by club coach Sue Wiltshire, attracted a marvellous attendance from the membership and visitors alike, with all age groups represented.

A long-standing playing member was heard to remark “If you had said four years ago that so many young people were to be seen on court as there is this morning, very few would have believed you!”

Sue had encouraged those attending to sport festive attire and this invitation did not fall on deaf ears with club chairman, Grant Whillance wearing his traditional, but somewhat close fitting, Christmas night shirt with cap. Courtside murmurs became increasingly audible, resulting in Grant making strong denials that his wife Elinor had this year been required to move the buttons !

The target hitting competition was proving to be a real favourite, with long queues forming as contestants awaited their turn and a number were seen to be returning smiling from ear to ear as they clutched their prizes .

In a very tight final to the longest rally competition, youngsters Molly Spalding and Katie Wiltshire were adjudged the winners with an amazing score of nearly one hundred shots! In the Singles Matchplay competition, Martin Truman overcame his nine year old opponent Eliot King to lift the prize.

For those taking a break, many found the vast array of home made cakes, along with cups of tea or coffee, too tempting to ignore, with members behind the refreshment table keeping customers amused with the friendly rivalry that had ensued between the chefs.

The raffle was also very well supported not only by the number of prizes donated, but also by the number of tickets sold which helped to swell the total net proceeds of the event to nearly �100 ,which will now be added to the junior equipment fund.

Coach Sue Wiltshire thought the day was a fabulous team effort and expressed her thanks to all those who had put it all together. Sue and fellow coach Daryl Bass run courses for all ages at the club throughout the year and will be pleased ,as always, to receive enquiries from those interested in attending on 07906 606811 or e-mail sue.wiltshire@talk21.com or visit the club website www.sidmouthtennis club.co.uk.