CLTC held a fun tennis tournament on Saturday 16th March at it's grounds in Princes Road to raise money for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day.
The event was opened by Oliver Nash, son of Rick Ford of Rick Ford Landscaping, one of the club's up and coming junior members who had come up with a brilliant fund raising idea for the charity – serving as many first serves as he could in half an hour. Oliver, cheered on by members and family, started strongly sending balls flying down the court and into the service box. With just over a minute to go the 13 year old the 100 mark and managed to power a few more down before time was called. His final tally was 111 serves. Oliver's efforts managed to raise an incredible £170 from sponsorship.
The fun tournament got under way next and saw members of all ages and abilities, including junior members as young as 10, compete in timed doubles matches. 18 competitors took part with some doubling up to enable continuous play on all 4 courts. The winners from each match moved up onto the next court and then split with the losing pair on that court which enabled everyone to mix in and enjoy lots of different partnerings. In keeping with the Red Nose Day theme many players took to the courts in fancy dress costume.
When Clevedon's Director of Coaching, Greg Spink blew the final whistle there were two winners, who had both amassed the same number of games; Mike Dale and men's captain, Tim Wookey. The runner up was Andrew Bassett. The younger players also enjoyed a mini tournament on the lawn in their fancy dress outfits.
After the tournament players and spectators enjoyed tasty home cooked food and refreshments from the Clubhouse and treated themselves to some sumptuous cakes all kindly made by Club members. A Red Nose Day sweepstake was drawn together with a charity raffle, the first prize being a £50 Amazon voucher kindly donated by Club sponsor, Somerglaze Windows. Other generous prizes were donated by Clevedon retailers: Indulgence; Panache, Tudball Opticians, Present Company and Betty Jones Beauty Clinic and Club Sponsor Emotiv also provided some fabulous jewellery prizes.
This is the second Red Nose Day tournament the Club has held and they managed to top their last fund raising total by raising an impressive £450! Congratulations to everyone who took part and helped to raise money for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day.
Clevedon Lawn Tennis Club offers tennis membership to all ages and standards of play and has an extensive junior and adult coaching programme. If you are interested in finding out more about CLTC please view the club's website: www.clevedonltc.co.uk or email clevedonltc@btinternet.com