"I was interested to read Lesley Bollen's recollections about Winnie Timmins.
My memories of Winnie relate to her membership of Woodland Lawn Tennis Club, in Allestree, in the late 1940s and 1950s. She was a stalwart member of the club's ladies' teams in the Derby Area League and my mother, Phyllis du Sautoy, nee Crossley, often partnered her in matches.
I remember her contributions to the suppers provided after matches from the family bakery in Alvaston at a time when catering was not easy.
She also had a car, which was a great help in getting the ladies to away matches – but she always charged petrol money to those to whom she gave lifts!
I remember on one occasion when the team was playing at Milford Mills, she had told my mother that I could go as a spectator in her car.
But, when the pick-up time arrived, there was no room for us in her car. It turned out that Winnie had also offered a lift to Margaret Goodson, the Woodlands Lawn Tennis Club secretary at the time, who was also playing.
When her son, Robert, heard that I was going, he decided to come, too. It was only then that we realised that three adult women and two young boys would not fit into the car. Robert and I were told to wait for the No 2 Derby to Belper bus.
The ladies waited until the bus came and explained the situation to the conductor and paid our fares. Then they proceeded to Milford and we travelled on the bus arriving in time to see the ladies win. Winnie was a real character and was justly popular with club members.
by Martin du Sautoy
Allestree
Article courtesy of The Derby Telegraph