Wishel LTC

1952

Officially constituted: the late Ron Webb (a founder member) became the Club’s first Secretary/Treasurer & Frank Reed the Chairman. Ron Webb was also responsible for starting the Woking Tennis League in 1953.

Initially, members played in the grounds of a local convent near to the Hockering Estate.  Next to the convent was a house with the name of Wishel. (the house had a wishing-well in the gardens).

1953 

A mixed team from Wishel LTC duly took part in the first league matches of the Woking & District Tennis League, together with Woking Post Office, Weymans, Addlestone, the Grange Chobham (not the same Chobham as are now in the League), Woking YMCA, Brookwood, and Caltex Sports Club - Byfleet.  From these eight teams, Wishel is the only surviving one still entering teams today. 

1960's

Until the late 1960s the land belonged to the manse of the local Methodist Church, and housed six grass tennis courts, which were all used by Hillview Tennis Club. Subsequently, Walter Deakin bought the land and built the houses in Fircroft Close.  However, two tennis courts were preserved and all-weather surfaces laid.

1970's

Wishel club play had moved onto the public courts in Woking Park, with a membership of 24 or so; Hillview Tennis Club continued on the Fircroft Close courts until being evicted in '75 (Methodist Minister at the time had moved Hillview TC off-site, with the thinking the space could be better used by local youth as a playground..). Eventually they took to playing on Woking Park courts too. 

The Fircroft Close site fell into poor condition being vandalised - with fences broken and clubhouse had been set on fire.

1976

Wishel, still then playing in Woking Park, became affiliated to the LTA, and started to make enquiries about the abandoned Fircroft Close site.

Wishel were eventually offered immediate use of the clubhouse, courts & site, without a Lease, and Wishel LTC was given permission to undertake whatever work was required. With very limited funds too hand (rumour has it at £20..!), and after further agreeing to a 10-year rent-free lease with all upkeep costs to be met by Wishel LTC - funding was sought. Members came through with cash donations and interest-free loans. Equipment arrived through generous donations of Surbiton TC & Slazenger directly ! 

Wishel's official Opening of Fircroft Close venue !

1989

In November, Doreen Williams took the role of Chairperson; in December very disturbing news was to come -  Wishel's landlords submitted a planning application to build five terraced houses, with garages upon the site. Wishel mustered tremendous support from many bodies - local Councillors, the Mayor, Member of Parliament, Surrey Lawn Tennis Association, the Sports Council, and Surrey Playing Fields Association - plus letters of objections from many ex-members and our neighbours in Fircroft Close. The planning application was subsequently unsucessful - and sometime had passed but evenutally The Department of the Environment had turned the appeal down. Wishel had won the right to play-on !

1995

Wishel LTC completed the FreeHold purchase of the Fircroft Close site, with no-little help from a number of generous club member donations, and an LTA interest-free loan.

2001

Wishel LTC completed the paying-off of the LTA loan. 

2002

Wishel LTC into full celebration mode with a Goldern Jubilee Evening, marking 50 years.

2003

Wishel's courts completely re-laid and surfaced finished.

2008

Clubhouse renovation, to include new Ladies' & Gents WC facilities and upgraded kitchen area

2010

Floodlights arrive at Wishel !

2012

Wishel Awards & Celebration Evening marking 60 years !

2015

Wishel courts completely relaid, and surfaced finshed.

2022

Summer event day of tennis & celebrations marking 70 years !

Floodlights upgraded to LED. Clubhouse exterior refurb & over-painting commenced.

2023

Front-of-clubhouse landscaping project realised, with significant member finance contributions.