A note from the Chairman

A New Chapter for WLTCC

The development of our new clubhouse marks a pivotal moment in the life of the club. It represents the largest investment we have ever made as a membership, made possible by the incredible amount of voluntary time and effort from our members and committee.

But this is more than just a construction project; it is a symbol of our identity. Whether you are on the tennis or croquet courts every day or just join us occasionally for a match and a chat, this is your club. We want every member to feel a sense of ownership in this new space and a warm welcome within our community.

A Legacy of Careful Stewardship

For many years, we have taken pride in a financially disciplined, project-by-project approach. Through the careful management of subscriptions and the consistent generosity of donations, we have steadily enhanced WLTCC. From maintaining our cherished grass courts to investing in all-weather facilities and upgrading our social spaces, every improvement has been a stepping stone to where we are today.

Future-Proofing Our Community: The 1883 Club

Reflecting on our history and our growing membership has inspired us to launch The 1883 Club—our dedicated development fund. The goal of this initiative is simple: to future-proof our club and ensure it remains a vibrant community asset for generations to come.

Through this fund, we have the opportunity to broaden our reach and make sport more accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to everyone. We invite you to be a part of this legacy. Every contribution helps us build a home that reflects the spirit and inclusivity of the WLTCC family.

Introducing The Development Fund 

The Development Fund has a clear vision to encourage participation and enable high performance.  It is designed to move beyond the day-to-day operations membership subscriptions support. It is a dedicated financial resource, held in a ring-fenced account within the club’s finances.  Funds can then be allocated where most needed, as opposed to needing to raise or save funds for a specific project.

 
The Development Fund aims to enable a self-sustaining way to ensure the club’s longevity and excellence in three key areas:

1. Long-term facility enhancement: maintaining and improving our club facilities, from the changing rooms, clubhouse and pavilion, benches, historic croquet lawns and grass courts, store facilities, to any future improvements the membership decides to make.  Facilities we hope enable our club to serve as a social hub and a point of pride for all members and visitors.
2. Coaching & programme development: Supporting long-term strategic development beyond buildings, providing resources to develop talent, performance and support and continuing to attract high-quality coaches for tennis and perhaps in future for croquet.  A development fund also enables the club’s coach/programme director to apply to the LTA & ITF for grants and funding towards player development, coaching programs, and community outreach.  
3. Inclusivity and Accessibility: this development fund can support grassroots growth, investing in the "future of the game" by funding school outreach programs and increasing accessibility to the sport.  We envision that a Club Programme Director and coach with responsibility for the coaching team, club community and schools/outreach programmes will continue to develop the next generation of players who can enjoy WLTCC in the years to come and continue our historic legacy.   To reduce wear and traffic on the grass, these community outreach programmes could take place at the Community tennis centre Marke Wood and hopefully expand to wider courts in the area such the Tides indoor and outdoor courts.

More Than Bricks and Mortar

The Development Fund is not just about buildings or infrastructure. It is about legacy: a long-term initiative designed to cement the club at the heart of the community and safeguard its future for at least another 143 years.

So, with your help, a century from now, WLTCC will remains a vibrant hub of sport, friendship, and community spirit—a place where people come together to play, connect, and belong.

• May 2026 The Development Fund opens
• Autumn 2026 Construction starts on the new clubhouse (funds permitting)
• April 2027  New clubhouse opens for business
• May 2027 Enhanced coaching programme & community initiatives starts

The 1883 Club

We warmly invite all members and friends to join The 1883 Club. This is more than a fundraiser; it is a collective act of stewardship. By sharing the load today with future donations and endowments we ensure that a century from now, WLTCC remains a vibrant hub of sport, health, and lifelong friendship. All 1883 Club members will have the opportunity to have their names inscribed on the 1883 Club Honours Board in the new clubhouse. 

Right now, we are looking for founding members to join the Club and help our fundraising appeal build early momemtum by pledging donations of £1,000 or more. We’re also looking forward to opening the Club up more widely later in the year, when a range of contribution levels will become available.

If you would like to speak to the Fundraising Committee about becoming an 1883 Club Founder with a pledge of £1,000 or more, please email us at wltccdevelopmentfund@gmail.com.

Other ways to help

We recognise that, for a whole variety of reasons, some members may not wish to join The 1883 Club but still wish to contribute in some other way. 

In those instances, you might consider the following routes.

Cash Donation

Every contribution, no matter the size, helps us write the next chapter of our history. Please email us at wltccdevelopmentfund@gmail.com.

Corporate

Do you work for a local business or organisation that wishes to support the local community and promote itself amongst our membership? Or do you work for a national or international business or organisation that has a community fund, CSR or other charitable giving programme from which the Fund might benefit? 

Get in touch with the fundraising team now at wltccdevelopmentfund@gmail.com and let us know.

Gifts in Kind

Legacy isn’t just built with cash; it’s built with talent and generosity. "Gifts in Kind" are vital to our growth. Do you have a unique resource to share?

• Professional Services Consulting, legal advice, coaching, or trade skills 
• Unique Items Artwork, sporting memorabilia, or even the use of a holiday home for a club auction
• Experiences Music lessons, hosted dinners, or organising a specialised club event

Have an idea? All contributions are welcome! The committee will work with you to advertise your gift and ensure it brings maximum value to the club.

Get in touch with the fundraising team now at wltccdevelopmentfund@gmail.com and let us know.