Community chips in to help rallying club

APPEAL to save Saddleworth Tennis Club . . . (back, from left) Sean Stafford (club coach), Noel Griffiths, Ed Morris, Vinnie van Enk, William Dransfield and William Warrington. Front: Ned Warrington and Oliver Brooks

A CAMPAIGN to save the historic Saddleworth Tennis Club from closure has received a bumper £20,000 funding boost to help finance much-needed court renovations.

The 130-year-old club, off Calf Lane, Greenfield, launched an urgent fundraising drive in January to help fund resurfacing work on its three tennis courts after they became so worn and damaged they were “almost unplayable”.

Membership numbers fell and the club, which provides tennis facilities for Saddleworth, Oldham and Tameside throughout the year, feared it may have to close if the £25,000 needed to refurbish the facilities could not be raised.

However, the club has so far received £10,000 from businesses and the local community for the renovations alongside confirmation that a bid for a £10,000 five-year loan from Tennis Lancashire, the regional Lawn Tennis Association, has been successful.

Neil Gaskell is the Saddleworth Tennis Club treasurer.

He said: “The club is still trying to seek other avenues of funding for the balance of the £5,000 it needs to resurface the three tennis courts and save the club from closing down.

“We have recently appealed to local businesses to help the club through sponsorship via advertising banners or in exchange for tennis club memberships but so far the response has been disappointing.”

He added that two firms, Dawson Precision Components Ltd and Tanner Brothers, have kindly offered support, but more is needed to guarantee the club’s future.

Fundraising events have also boosted the club’s appeal total, with another event, a ladies fashion night, taking place on Thursday, June 9, at Saddleworth Cricket Club.

Tickets, priced £5, are available by calling Rebecca on 07786 235 471.

Neil added the tennis club is also grateful for the support they have received from local councillors Graham Sheldon and John Hudson as well as the Saddleworth District Partnership and the Saddleworth Parish Council.

Individual tennis club members and friends have also been generous in their donations to replace the courts, which were originally laid 27 years ago.

Neil continued: “The club is now working closely with the Lawn Tennis Association in anticipation of the courts being resurfaced to develop plans to attract new members which will help the club to grow and have a positive effect on future funding.”

Anyone wishing to support the club should contact Neil by emailing neilgaskell2@aol.com.