CHURCHES BENEFIT FROM COLN VALLEY TENNIS TOURNAMENT

Pictured here (left) is the Reverend Stephen Goundrey-Smith, Vicar of the benefice of Chedworth and District, accepting two cheques from Hill & Valley Lawn Tennis Club’s outgoing Chairman, Stephen Scott-Smith. In addition to raising funds for the tennis club, last year’s Coln Valley Annual Mixed Doubles Tennis Tournament raised £530.00 for local churches which was shared between St Andrews Church, Chedworth and the valley Churches of Coln Rogers and Coln St Denys.  The presentation was made at the club’s AGM and social evening which was held recently in the Seven Tuns, Chedworth.

This year’s Coln Valley Tournament takes place on Saturday 11 June and Hill & Valley LTC anticipates welcoming back players who take part year after year, both locals and those from much further afield. They also very much hope to encourage new players to enter. Those nervous that the standard may be very high are urged not to be daunted by the word ‘tournament’.It is indeed a day of spirited, competitive tennis, but it is also a very social one, and the sliding handicap in the morning rounds is designed to even out the differences between the better players and those who are not so expert!

The event continues to retain its appeal with competitors thrilled at the prospect of playing on beautiful courts which are so kindly loaned for the day by local residents. Players are expected to wear whites in keeping with the traditional spirit of the occasion and as a courtesy to the court owners.  The club is delighted that Far Frontiers Travel and Arcturus are again sponsoring the competition for 2011.

Interested parties should note that this year the club has introduced a significant discount for prompt entries: Tickets for a full day’s tennis, morning coffee, an excellent two-course lunch and afternoon tea with cakes are just £26.00 for those whose entry forms are received by 14 May, after which date the price increases to £30.00 – still amazing value. The final closing date for entries is Saturday 28 May.

For more information contact Meryl King on 01285 720278 or email meryl@merylking.com.