Eardisley Tennis and Croquet Club

In 1929 land was purchased by William Davies (Castle Farm) and William Smith for £38.10s at The Wharf, Eardisley, Herefordshire.

Subsequently two lawn tennis courts were set up with a 'tin shed' for a Clubhouse and the inaugural Club was established.  A healthy Club enjoyed the facilities until closing during the 2nd World War.

After the War the courts were used once again and for the next 20 years the club thrived.  Many Members are still active in the village today, remembering the arduous task of mowing the grass.  Their children recall enjoying a rare opportunity to play village tennis.  At that time tennis facilities were very ulimited and most children only had the chance to play tennis at Grammer/Secondary School.  However, very competitive adult teams were fielded at the Club with some success.

Around 1970 interest dwindled and the site was left largely to its own devices and was not improved when a herd of cattle galloped across it.  Much later, when the business next door changed hands and the new house was built the entrance was altered to what it is today.  As it lay uncared for, the new business of car renovation used the site as a dumping ground for old vehicles and rubbish.

In 1994 a Public Meeting was called with the aim of reinstating the Club.  A Committee of 10 members were elected, with Jan Baker as Chairperson, Ethel Grigg as Secretary and Bob Underhill as Treasurer.  In 1995 four Trustees were appointed. 

After some legal right of way and ownership issues were settled, clearing of the site started in 1996.  Two tarmac courts were built by Courtstall paid for by funding of £49,205 from Sport England, secured by Bob Underhill.  In April 1998 the new Eardislely Tennis Club was opened.  

In 1999 a new Clubhouse was built by Collett Builders and was opened by Mark Cox the former British International player.  To commemorate the occasion a Coxs Orange Pippin tree was planted which was all financed by a further grant from Sport England together with contributions from local Councils, businesses and fund raising.

In 1999 the Club was granted affiliation to the LTA.

In the Millenium year the land adjacent to the Club was purchased by a village Committee and turned into a recreation area, known as Millennium Green, which conveniently provides a safe path for walking from the village via the Park Road.

On the far side of our site the boundary is marked by a brook , which in 2003 began to encroach dangerously close to the courts.  Wire cages filled with stone were placed, at a cost of over £3,000, which realignd the brook away from the courts.

With the growing number of juniors, a need arose for more facilities.   There was not room for a full court, so it was decided to build a Mini Tennis Court / Practice Wall, which was financed by Herefordshire Volunteers for Action £7,000 and £1,700 H&W LTA plus Club funds.  

The new Mini Court was opened in August 2005 by Charles Trippe, the then LTA President, accompanied by Ian King, President of H&WLTA. 

In 2008/9 the courts were resurfaced and floodlights installed to enable all year round play. 

In 2012 we received a £50k grant from Sport England to purchase additional land and develop a third court and a croquet lawn.