FROME Selwood Tennis Club says that a lot of Frome people played tennis last year. The three community courts were busier than ever, and over 3,000 hours of tennis were played – double the previous year’s usage.
Mark Brierley, chairman, Frome Tennis Club (FSTC) reports, “Beyond the community courts and hidden by the tall hedges in Mary Baily Playing Field are the three club artificial grass courts. These also saw a lot of tennis even though eight weeks were lost to lockdown.
“The coaching programme was stop/start and all league and club competitions were abandoned. However, we were the lucky ones; tennis is one of the few naturally “socially distanced” sports. As soon as we were allowed on court, we organised socially distanced coaching which worked very well.
“Unfortunately, the courts are quiet again; and like all other sport, playing tennis is forbidden. However, it will return and as soon as it does, we will be organising children’s sessions to help families manage these difficult times.
“This year, 2021, will be the club’s centenary. There have been tennis and bowls clubs associated with the Victoria Park from its opening in 1887 to celebrate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee. The popularity of the courts inside the park led to the development of more courts on the opposite side of the Mary Baily playing field in 1907, catering for both bowls and tennis. In 1921 this club split into separate tennis and bowls clubs. Both clubs are alive and hidden away in their secret corner on Frome.
“This year will see also big improvements to the club. The small old clubhouse is going and a new pavilion will be built. This will have a big clubroom, a kitchen /bar and new toilets and changing room and showers. Planning consent has been granted and funds are now in place to let construction start. The club is paying for this development from its own fund-raising efforts, topped up by generous grants from Sport England (and other grant bodies) and from an interest-free loan from the Lawn Tennis Association.
“The pavilion is not the only development on the cards. The club has been working with Frome Town Council to get floodlighting installed on the community courts. A planning application has now been submitted and grants and loans have been secured. We are hopeful this project can proceed as well in the near future.
“The club is immensely grateful for the help it receives. Grant aid and loans enable the projects, but day- to-day upkeep and maintenance is down to our membership; the club offers a giant “thank you” to all our members.
“When tennis does return, I hope many more Frome residents will consider giving it a go. The club is open to all and there is wide range of options from hourly pay-to play to annual full membership; we think there is something for everyone. We will be hosting free “come and try” sessions and our coach, Stephen Marcelle, from our partner organisation Team Bath (Bath University), is there to help you discover and hone your skills.
“We have a Reaching Out programme that provides completely free club membership and free coaching sessions for children from families with low incomes, or those that have been affected by Covid. Concessionary discounts are also available for adults with low incomes or who are receiving state benefits. So give us a ring, we want to help.
“I think this year will be an excellent year for tennis in Frome. Keep your eye out for the courts to reopen and in the meantime, stay safe and healthy. Roll on vaccinations!”
