A Potted History of Our Club - by John Tate

John’s notes just in case a speech was required in accepting his ‘Unsung Hero’ award!

I would first give recognition to anyone who takes the trouble to support Avon LTA by sending in an award nomination. So first my thanks to David Howells,  Mr Quiet Guy on our Committee, but who took the trouble to gather all that I had been doing over the past 25 years at the club. What a great effort that was by David.

Two other Committee Members I would mention, John Lurie as Membership Secretary who does all the meet and greet in welcoming new members and works closely with Ben Tilling our Head Coach to encourage new people to tennis to gain skills and join in Club Play.

Secondly, Steve Stephens our Treasurer who has kept us financially secure and always gives sound advice on projects.

So, both of them and of course the Committee who helped me pursue the development of the club over these years. So, I am accepting the Award on their behalf.

Some projects I will tabulate:-

Year 2000 - Planning Application to erect floodlights on all four courts. Also to dig up the foundations of Courts 1 & 2 which were falling apart.

Total cost £125000 financed by Sport England Lottery Grant £80000, LTA 10-year loan £20000 and club’s own money £25000.

2007  - Existing Coach, John Doe retired and we advertised and recruited  Ben Tilling as our Head Coach. Since then the coaching programme and local schools contacts expanded rapidly and this led to our needing more courts.

2013 - We asked the Ground Trustees for permission to build two more courts adjacent to courts 1&2 but thaw was refused as they wished to keep green spaces. But they did offer us the opportunity to build one court next to court 4.

This was a very expensive development as a lot of soil had to be dug out and be tipped elsewhere. Another planning application and a second lottery application on the back of the 2012 Olympics. Total cost with floodlights £95000. Financed by Lottery Grant £45000, LTA Loan £25000and own funds £25000.

2016 - We re-vamped the clubhouse. Another Planning Application with changing rooms altered round and showers installed with all new sanitary appliances. A new kitchen and hot water system and LED lights in the clubhouse. New patio doors installed giving much better viewing and also access to the courts.

2018 - Solar Panels on roof installed with the help of a grant from Bristol Airport.

2022 - Into the Pandemic and Lockdowns with the re-surfacing of courts 3 4 & 5

needed urgently. During that time lengthy discussions took place regarding the type of surface we should have. My motto has always been Evolution not Revolution and I say this because in 1998 when I arrived, I was a great fan of Astro Turf but when I joined the Committee no one else wanted to change from tarmac.

This time, however more interest was being shown and we visited several other clubs when lockdown eased to gain information as to how they played and were maintained.

After full consultation with members it was agreed to go ahead and new surface installed in April 2022 at a cost of £63000.

2022/2023 -  we were hit by the energy crisis and cost of floodlights so currently had to bring forward the change to LED Lighting to contain costs. 

John Tate