Hawkhurst Tennis Club

www.hawkhursttennisclub.org.uk

Welcome to the ULTC Hawkhurst Website

Hawkhurst Tennis Club - Summer Social Event

The United Lawn Tennis Club is a well established club with three all-weather hard courts enjoying an enviable position to the east of the village of Hawkhurst with extensive views to the south over the high weald of Kent and Sussex. Members benefit from a range of social and competitive tennis, coaching and social events. The Club's friendly environment provides for people of all ages and standards to enjoy tennis. The Club has regular club night sessions and teams competing at all levels for both singles and doubles in local inter club league matches. There is a keenly contested variety of club championships every year and a very active and successful Junior squad. The Club is run by a Committee who are elected annually by the members

Club History

The Hawkhurst LTC was formed at a meeting held on the 25th June 1881 at Fowlers Park - the home of the instigator, Sir Edmund Hardinge, who was the club's first president. The club was formed "to promote the playing of lawn tennis by the inhabitants of the parish of Hawkhurst" Club games were all played on private courts of the various members and many club days and tournaments were held at Fowlers Park . "M.C.C.rules to be observed in all games." The first tournament was held at Fowlers Park on 7th-8th September 1881 . "single handed games on the 7th and four-handed games on the 8th (entrance fee 1/- per competition.)"

The first set of club rules had been drawn up by the end of June 1881 but, despite the ardour of the founder members, within 10 years members were complaining that Over 100 years of Tennis club days were "resolving themselves into a parochial tea party". The situation had so deteriorated by 1898 that a rule was inserted which requested that " when meetings are held at your house you should avoid turning them into a garden party".

The 1890's was a poor decade for the club, it was short of funds and members despite having increased the catchment area to include Northiam and surrounding villages. At the 1895 A.G.M the accounts showed a deficit of £1/14/6 and Sir Edmund donated £1 towards the deficit.

To ensure the continuation of a tennis club in the area, an amalgamation meeting between Burwash and Hawkhurst tennis clubs was held on 28th March 1898 to form a new club - The United Lawn Tennis Club. Apart from adopting the Burwash subscription system, most of the Hawkhurst Committee and rules continued as before, but the new club survived and expanded into the club we know today.

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Diary Dates 2007

Friday 2 May 7.30 – 8.30pm

Senior club team coaching with Ollie Pearce – 1st session and alternate weeks from then on. £3.00 per session.

Wednesday 7 May 7pm – 9pm

The first of our monthly tournaments. (1st Wednesday of each month from then on)

Friday 13 June 7.30pm onwards

BBQ and social tennis – seniors only, not to be missed! Details to follow

Sunday 29 June

Finals Day – details to follow

Sunday 14 September

Family tennis tournament and BBQ – details to follow

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