Despite the vagaries of the weather a large crowd joined in the celebrations for the opening of the new Tennis Clubhouse and Floodlights at Veryan and Roseland Tennis Club on 9 April 2016. Sue Eames, chairman of Tennis Cornwall and Sarah Newton MP were the guests of honour, and other guests included five previous chairmen of the club and several local people who helped set up the club even though they did not play the sport.

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The improvements to the club’s facilities had been a long time in the planning stage and were made possible with a major grant through the Sport England Inspiring Facilities programme. The new clubhouse is fully accessible by disabled people, and as well as providing changing and toilet facilities also has a kitchenette and space for a table tennis table, expanding the range of sporting activities on the site. Veryan and Roseland Tennis Club is a constituent member of the Veryan Sports and Social Club, and the complex also provide football, cricket, indoor and outdoor bowls as well as bar and social facilities.

Father Doug Robins, chairman of the club, welcomed everyone and thanked the many people who had been involved over the years in fund raising, planning and execution of the project. He explained that in addition to the Sport England grant of £50,000, about £30,000 had been raised by club members through various events and appeals, and that roughly £30,000 had been contributed through voluntary expertise and labour.

Veryan and Roseland Tennis Club welcomes new members of any ability and sessions are held to help players develop. The club hopes to encourage younger people to take up the sport, especially as it is possible for members to play up to 10 pm all year round under the floodlights, (Cornish weather permitting of course). Table tennis players are also warmly welcome and it possible that a local league may be established.