HTC President - Margaret Aston
Tue, 05 Jul 2022 00:00
Margaret Aston who passed away on 27th June 2022. Our Chair Bev Wilson shares some insight into her long-standing involvement with HTC over the years.
In 1985 Margaret Aston was a key member of a group of enthusiastic villagers who were keen to have tennis courts in Haddenham and start a tennis club.
The village was leafleted and a public meeting was held, chaired by Keith Dewick representing the LTA, to discuss having a tennis club in the village.
A Committee headed by Peter Davidson had negotiations with the Parish Council for a Lease of land on the Haddenham Playing Fields for the building of two tennis courts with an option for a third at a later date. Margaret Aston who was on the Parish Council was very supportive of the project and also joined the newly formed Tennis Club which at the time was a Tennis Club without any courts.
From a standing start in November 1985, such was the enthusiasm that the Tennis Club obtained planning permission, raised funds and had two tennis courts built by the spring of 1986. The courts were officially opened in June 1986 by John Craven and officials from the LTA.
Margaret who was on the Committee at the clubs inception, became the Club President in 2003. During her time with the club she played in the teams, held positions of Mixed Team Captain, Fixtures Secretary from 1990 to 2008 while also supporting social functions. Margaret provided facilities and marquees at her house for social events and even did catering and cooking herself and her roast turkey at the Christams Dinners was legendary. Margaret also won several club championships in her hay days, winning the 1987 Ladies Doubles partnering Dominique Boshell, in 1990 partnering Mary Freeman and 1992 partnering Jill Good. In 1998 she also won the Mixed Doubles partnering Stephen Day. Quite a record.
We can honestly say that the Tennis Club would not be the thriving club that it is today without Margaret’s continued support during its inception and through the years. Sadly, Margaret passed away on 27th June 2022. The Tennis Club owes her a debt of gratitude and she will be greatly missed.
Margaret's Funeral is to be held on Thursday 28th July at Aylesbury Crematorium at 2:30