The story of Patterdale Tennis Club since its formation in 1939
It began with a Donation
Nicholas Ridley Temperley was born in Gateshead in 1879, the son of Provisions Importer. His wife, Mary Elsa Rounthwaite, was the daughter of an Architect and was born in 1886 in Shotley Bridge, Co. Durham. Soon after they married in 1912, they lived in Chile, where Nicholas worked as an Engineer. Mary returned to England in 1915, following the birth of their daughter and Nicholas finally returned in 1916, although he made frequent business trips home, sometimes aboard the SS Cavina (a Fyffes Banana Boat).
Between Aug 1917 and Dec 1918, Nicholas served in the Royal Flying Corps as an Engineer.
From about 1921 the family were living in Solihull, Warwickshire, where Nicholas worked as an Electrical Engineer. Around 1932, Nicholas retired and they moved to the Lake District where they built their new home, 'Green Rigg' in Patterdale.
Nicholas and Mary, or Ridley and Elsa as they were known in the dale, became very involved in local activities and village life;
- In Sep 1935 Ridley chaired a public meeting at Glenridding Parish Hall on the subject of ’The Douglas Social Credit Movement’.
- He was a member of the Penrith Players Dramatic Group and was named as a member of the cast in a production of ‘Libel in Oct 1935 and ’Thirty Minutes in a Street’ in Feb 1939.
- In 1939, the couple funded the construction two tennis courts on the King George V Playing Field in Patterdale.
- In Dec 1943, he and his wife donated an Austin Car to the Penrith and Eden Valley Social and Moral Welfare Association.
- In the 1950’s there are several newspaper reports about his involvement with the Patterdale Performers (also described as Patterdale Choral and Dramatic Society).
- In 1956 he was President of the Patterdale Branch of Westmorland Liberal Association.
Nicholas Ridley Temperley died on the 11 Dec 1963 and is buried in St Patrick’s Churchyard. Mary Elsa died on the 17 Aug 1976 in Newbury, Berkshire and her ashes were scattered on her husband’s grave. Their gravestone is just over the wall from the tennis court.