Banstead Downs Tennis Club’s new Clubhouse, which was completed in May 2008, was officially opened on Sunday (14th September 2008) by Stuart Smith, President of the Lawn Tennis Association, who was accompanied by his wife Marilyn.
Stuart Smith (left) and our Club Chairman, Peter Lane
Over 100 club members and guests were present for the opening. The Club also welcomed from the world of tennis, John and Angela Barrett – John was until 2006 the BBC TV’s ‘voice of tennis’ and Angela (as Angela Mortimer), was the 1961 Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles Champion – and Ron Presley, President of Surrey LTA, as well as a number of Surrey LTA Councillors. Other guests included Angela Fraser, Chairman of Surrey County Council, and Brian Cowle, a local Borough Councillor.
Stuart and Marilyn Smith, Peter and Mary Lane, and John and Angela Barrett
The LTA President and other guests were welcomed by the Club Chairman, Peter Lane, who explained that this was the fourth Clubhouse the Club had had since its inception in 1933. The first had cost £10 and this latest one £250,000, this cost being met from Club reserves, the generosity of members with donations and loans, and a loan from the LTA. He thanked all those who had worked so hard to put the new building in place, particularly Brian Jeffreys, the Project Director.
In formally opening the Clubhouse, Stuart Smith congratulated the Club on its facilities and the progress it had made since moving to its current site at the junction of Basing Road and Bolters Lane in 1978. He was pleased to say that there are now real signs of success coming through on the world stage for British Tennis, and community clubs, such as Banstead Downs, are important for the development of tennis from grass roots level.
Banstead Downs’ new Clubhouse is 80% larger than the one built in 1978 and, together with the current four floodlit macadam courts, two artificial grass courts, and a mini-tennis court, the Club now boasts some of the finest facilities of any medium sized club in Surrey.
Here are a selection of other pictures from the Official Opening.
Project Manager Brian Jeffreys being congratulated by Stuart Smith
Members of the Banstead Downs board, with Stuart and Marilyn Smith and John and Angela Barrett
