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Established in 1910, Wargrave Lawn Tennis Club is one of the oldest Tennis Clubs in Berkshire. Thanks to members, committee members and Chair persons for all they have contributed since then and now.
Founded in 1910. In March 1913 the Club had a membership of 44. The Reading Mercury reported on a Wargrave Tennis Club social evening in Woodclyffe Hall supporting wounded soldiers (February 16 1916).
Annual rent first paid to the Woodclyffe Recreation Ground Trustees. In 1928 a report stated the club was going strong and reported results of three games with the Island Bohemium club and a private members club in Reading.
Trustees found it increasingly difficult to maintain the facilities from the original Trust Fund. A joint sports committee was formed to find additional revenue, although this was not entirely successful. The Reading Standard reported on Friday 07 January 1938 of a whist drive organised by Wargrave Tennis Club in support of the Nurse’s Fund.
Like many clubs there were limited numbers of members – between 12 and 15 at this time. Members had access to two hard courts and occasional use of the main pavilion.
Numerous fund raising activities were undertaken including the Old Tyme Music Hall production. This event, under the guidance of John and Sara Rawlingson and Rosemary Musselwhite, proved most successful.
Including Enid Waghorn, Mary Owen and Gordon Goodchild (Chairman until 1970). Tennis was promoted by improving the courts to attract more members and improving playing standards. The main players were recruiting new and experienced members and junior coaching was introduced.
Two all-weather courts were installed by Grassphalte funded entirely by the Club. Two grass courts were prepared and put into service by groundsman Arthur Langford. Membership increased to 90 (45 Seniors and 45 Juniors).
The Czechoslovakian National Squad practiced on the new grass courts before Wimbledon. The club became affiliated to Berkshire County and friendly matches were played against local clubs from Phyllis Court, Pangbourne, Shiplake, Sonning, Twyford and Woodley.
Brian Sheppard became Chairman. Membership increased and social activities thrived with the support of non-playing spouses and friends.
The Club had ‘arrived’ as an asset to the village. The Czechoslovakian National Team continued to practice on the grass courts before Wimbledon, with Jan Kodes winning the men’s singles in 1973. Wargrave groundsman, Arthur Langford, shown in centre of photo.
In 1976 the Club played it’s first match in the Berkshire County League. Image shows newspaper clipping from the Reading Evening Post in February 1975.
Tony Edwards became Chairman during this period. Wargrave villagers ‘fight it out’ to improve Club facilities. A new tenancy was secured for a 10 year period. Resurfacing of the 2 hard courts, a water supply, larger clubhouse, trees to act as windbreaks and new fencing gave the club further security and permanence.
A 3rd hard court was installed in 1978 and a fourth court installed in 1978.
During Derek Tomlinson’s Chairmanship the juniors tournament was introduced. Sponsored by Rexnord International and organised by John Perry (stood right in the photo) it was held annually and ran for five years.
Floodlights were installed and resulted in an immediate increase in members. Experienced players joined from other clubs taking advantage of year round playing.
In 1981, with membership of 46 family, 34 singles and 25 juniors the Club continued to grow. Roy Crossley was Chairman until 1984.
John Connell originally agreed to ‘stand-in’ as Chairman but stayed for 7 years. His term saw some of the most dramatic improvements in the clubs history with membership increasing from 144 to 238.
The first County Trophy was won for the Club in 1988 by the Men’s over 55’s veteran team, ran by Alf Ellis and Gordon Goodchild. Wooden tennis racquet era over (for most)!
Organisation of senior teams and match play reached a high standard and teams competed at all levels in the County Leagues with some 160 matches being played each year. Two Astro courts replaced 2 grass courts. First ball machine and 1st telephone installed in a new larger clubhouse. First club coach (Eddie Fry, self-employed) appointed. Floodlights installed on courts 5&6.
Valerie Doyle became Chairperson in 1992. In 1993-94, the Junior section reached a zenith with more juniors than senior members. Elite squads were introduced in 1994. Boys and Girls were in the First Division and 10 juniors were in county coaching. Photo from an article in the Henley Standard July 31st, 1992.
Courts 5/6 resurfaced with Astro and new Courts 3/4 refurbished. Floodlights upgraded including upgrade of cables under the Recreation Ground car park.
New & renovated courts officially opened by Wimbledon umpire Jeremey Shale. Rob Warren employed by WLTC as coach.
Coach Rob Warren retires – Alex Hampshire and Julio Delgado take over coaching. Barry Knox is Chairman of the club in January 1997 and steered the club through a difficult period negotiating a new lease and obtaining planning permission for the extension of playing facilities.
Grand opening of new courts! The Club has 8 courts by September 2004 – nine years after initial plans for courts 7/8 were voted on and overcoming significant barriers on the way!
A fire in 2009 destroyed the clubhouse. In June 2010 a new clubhouse was unveiled by Sheena Dark along with completion of upgrading all courts to tarmac.
Upgrade of power supply to the club is required with all eight courts having floodlights. Sheena Darke is Chairperson from 2005 to 2013.
Dave Smith was Chairman from 2013 to 2021, navigating growth and ongoing repairs of the Club with great success. In 2015 a 10 year loan from the LTA, used to build courts 7 and 8, was paid off leaving the Club debt free. In 2016 a state of the art practice wall (ReboWall) was installed on court 8 and was an immediate success. The Club also carefully managed the challenges posed by the Covid pandemic from 2020 to 2021.
Major storm damages fencing alongside courts 2/7/8 in 2013 which was repaired but the club was hit again in 2018 leading to upgrading of posts and fencing system. The electricity supply upgrade was also completed in this period.
From July 2021, Chairmanship of the Club was passed onto Michael Simpson and a new committee team. A membership wide survey identified the focus for improvements, guided by the Club’s objective “to advance the game of tennis by encouraging and supporting more players, of all ages and abilities, to play better competitive or social tennis; in an environment that is fun, safe and inclusive”.
Floodlights converted to modern LED on all courts. Courts 1 and 2 resurfaced with all-weather artificial clay. New Club website launched and LTA’s ‘Clubspark’ adopted as membership platform with online court booking system. New Head Coach team appointed. Renewed focus on promoting junior tennis, competitive tennis and more social competitions, including new Pickleball facilities.
Much of the early historical content on this page is taken from the 2nd Book of Wargrave. Many thanks to the original Author(s).
https://www.wargravehistory.org.uk/publications
For more historical information relating to the Recreation Ground as a whole, including Wargrave cricket and bowls facilities, follow this link:
https://www.wargravehistory.org.uk/past-presentations/activities-around-the-recreation-ground
If anybody has any corrections, additional information or photographs to add, please leave a message!
