HISTORY OF CAMBERLEY LTC

1953 – Sylvia Hollingdale was the founding member of the club and started work on establishing a tennis club in Camberley. At that time, Camberley was a growing town but had no tennis clubs only council courts.

1955  – After two years of painstaking work the council suggested that The Kingsclere Hotel which had recently closed had three hard courts as a potential  option. 

The hotel had been taken over by property development company, Hammerson who were looking to redevelop the site. Due to economic conditions and government policies at the time, Hammerson agreed to lease the courts at a cost of £40 until the 30th September.

The  club opened for play on the 30th April 1955 and remained playing there a further 3 years. During this time the members converted the stable block into changing rooms and for social functions.

The annual membership for an adult playing member was 10/6d or 52p!

1958 – in February 1958 the lease from Hammerson was terminated and not only was it clear a tennis club was needed in Camberley but a new home had to be found. In April 1958 the council approved the lease of a three acre site at Mayfield Road (just behind Frimley High Street). Four new hard courts were laid with play beginning in July. During the construction period club matches were played in nearby Watchets Park.

The club house was delivered to the site (in pieces) during July 1958 and erected by the voluntary effort of club members. The club officially opened on the 21st September 1958, with a tournament featuring UK Davis Cup stars Geoff Paish, Alan Mills and other leading men and lady tennis players of the time.

1974 – by this time the council needed the site for housing and the club was offered grounds at Southcote Park which the club moved to and re-opened in July 1974. The club had its present clubhouse built and installed 4 new plastic courts.

1980 – the club held its 25th Anniversary. The Major and Mayoress of Surrey Heath attended the celebrations, including a doubles tournament, concluding with barn dance and barbecue attended by over 200 members, their families and friends.

During the evening ex-mayor Julian Farrell, who was president of the club at the time presented a jubilee cup to the chairman to be used as a competition trophy at the committee’s discretion. This trophy is known as the Farrell Cup after his late wife Barbara Farrell who gave so much to the club and we acknowledge this at the beginning of each season. Sylvia Hollingdale the founder member attended cutting the jubilee cake.

2007 – fast forward to 2007 and a major investment program was undertaken including the updating of all courts, introducing floodlights on all courts and securing the club with new fencing all round.

Since then, the club has continued to invest and grow. New clay courts added, floodlights upgraded to the latest LED technology, the clubhouse refurbished and improved.

Throughout the club has continued to be supported by its members and be recognised as one of the best clubs in the surrounding area.