Ramsbury Tennis Club 1973 to 2024
Ramsbury, a village close to the Berkshire border with a population of 2,000, some 7 miles north east of Marlborough, formed a tennis club 50 years ago and started playing on private courts in and around the village.
The first Annual General Meeting was held in 1974 following an 'Open Meeting' called by the late Mr Lamperd to form a Club in 1973. Mr Lamperd was head gardener at 'Eastridge' at that time, and had arranged for their court to be used at certain times by members of the village. This facility was also arranged with the intention that the juniors in the village be encouraged to play.
After a considerable amount of hard work fund raising, a first court was laid on the recreation field. Ever since then the club has continued to grow.
A second court followed a few years later. This enabled the club to start competing in the Swindon and District League with some success.
A new pavilion was the next priority and this was built in1992 with the help of a loan from the LTA.
In 1994, with the membership continuing to grow, the club laid its third court and installed floodlights on two courts which considerably increased the playing time. This was made possible by a combination of fund raising by the members and grants from both The Community Council for Wiltshire and The Foundation for the Sports and Art.
1998 witnessed the fourth court laid and the third court floodlit. This was possible though a tremendous amount of fund raising by the members, support from Kennet District Council, and a loan from the LTA. Then in 2000 floodlights were added to this court.
In 2003 we were awarded Wiltshire LTA Club of the Year
In 2005 a 5th floodlit court was laid. This is a designated Kids Zone and coaching court and was part of the Ramsbury Recreation Centre’s Project 2005, funded through the project which included a grant and loan from the LTA.
In 2008 the club was awarded ‘Clubmark’ status
2009 saw the opening of the new pavilion which we share with the cricket club. This purpose built building has a main hall, mens, ladies and disabled changing facilities, a kitchen and store rooms. The building was opened by Greg Rusedski and was constructed with funds raised by ‘Project 2005’ and a large grant from Kennet District Council.
In 2018 we were awarded South West Club of the Year.
In 2020 two new synthetic clay court surfaces were laid on courts 1 & 2 (the first in the county).
In 2022 two new LED floodlit courts were built and we replaced some of existing floodlights with LEDs.
We now have seven floodlit courts.
In 2022 we were awarded Wiltshire LTA Club of the Year.
Within our Club Development Programme there is mini tennis, teen tennis, cardio tennis, performance coaching and county league matches for juniors. For adults there are club sessions, a full fixture list of league and cup matches, a club tournament, a ladder tournament and plenty of social events to ensure that there is something for everyone throughout the year.