Chair’s statement for Press Release – June 2022

We are thrilled to announce that as of May this year, Somer Valley Tennis has become a registered charity, two years after it became independent from Writhlington Sports Centre. It has been an eventful year since transforming Somer Valley Tennis back in June 2020.  We have continued to raise standards, create a welcoming environment and make sure tennis is ‘opened up’ and available to everyone in the Midsomer Norton/Radstock area.

Said Matt Wise CEO of Dragonfly Leisure who operate the indoors courts at Writhlington said ‘Somer Valley Tennis Club, formerly Writhlington Tennis Club, have been a valued partner of Dragonfly Leisure for over a decade. Their new charitable status is an exciting development as they can now access funding to help further tennis opportunities in the local area’.

Said Jenny Perez, longstanding member and now trustee ‘As a Trustee I am delighted that Somer Valley Tennis Club has been given charitable status. The club is well established and has the availability of fantastic indoor facilities - being a charity will open up more opportunities to build on strong foundations and enable the club to have a bright future. Our ethos is tennis for all and being a charity enhances this"

Our village projects are thriving at Farrington Gurney and Timsbury, plus Farmborough court is now available to play tennis on as well as being used by parishioners as a multi-sport area.  Each one is unique in the way it operates either with an affordable membership or the courts can be hired on a pay and play basis.

For the second year running and using the superb coaching team from Dragonfly Leisure in Writhlington, tennis camps for local children were ran at Timsbury in the May half term. The trustees of Conygre Hall have been enthusiastic supporters of the tennis project and special thanks to Matt Bramley for his passion and drive. Tennis now has a presence at the recreation ground and adds to the multi-sport venue for the village. 

Avon Summer League is currently being played with 4 ladies and 5 men’s teams playing weekly across the Avon area, results and photos will be in the local papers over the next few weeks.

Said Mandy Stonier Chair, ‘We are really pleased with how the club is evolving, providing local people with local opportunities to play tennis.  Am amateur club like ours could not survive without the raft of volunteers behind it, this is National Volunteers Week, and we would like to recognise all those members who over the years have given their time, energy and support to our club’  

Please go to our website to read about what we do and if you are interested in joining us please email info@somervalleytennis.org.uk or find us on social media.

Mandy Stonier

Chair of Somer Valley Tennis