Sandi Procter, the LTA President, visited Norfolk on 20 and 21 August for a tour of tennis and padel venues, plus a special award presentation to ‘Mr Hunstanton Tennis’.

Sandi was on hand with Heather Bottomley, LTA Councillor for Norfolk, and Kathy Lofthouse, Norfolk Tennis President, to present Chris Holt a special award for his 50-year involvement in the Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Tournament, which attracted around 1,200 competitors this year.

In 2013, Chris’ work was recognised when he received the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours and was named Competition Organiser of the Year in the annual LTA Tennis Awards. Subsequently, in 2020, the LTA recognised Chris’s “outstanding voluntary service to tennis, and to the Hunstanton Lawn Tennis Tournament in particular, over a long period of time” with a Meritorious Service Award.

Sandi first arrived on Wednesday at Norfolk Padel at East Barsham, talking to its directors Jimmy Goodley and Nick Newbury, before travelling to Great Massingham Tennis Club for a ladies doubles session, and then onto Hunstanton in the evening.

On Thursday, Sandi visited Cromer Lawn Tennis & Rackets Club, then travelled to East Anglia Tennis & Squash Club, to get involved in a Tennis Able session with Jeremy Storr and Derek Perry, and then onto Blofield Tennis Club, Norfolk’s Club of the Year, to watch junior and adult tennis sessions.

Roy Colabawalla (Wawrickshire) will assume the role LTA President on 1 January 2026. Roy travelled to Cromer in June as the special guest at the Norfolk Tennis Awards and tennis evening.