FIFTY years ago this weekend the television schedules were full of the dulcet tones of Dan Maskell (“Oh I say, he’s out volleyed the in-coming serving volleyer”) as he commented on one of the highlights of the British summer, Wimbledon.

That fortnight (sometimes longer if it rained a bit) of strawberries and cream, Pimm's, posh frocks and tennis.

However in 1970 the local tennis world had something even more important on its mind, because in the Northwick area of the city, the newly formed Worcester Lawn Tennis Club was announcing its arrival.

Dorothy Little, who as Dorothy Round had been Wimbledon ladies champion in 1934 and 1937, travelled from her home in Dudley on Saturday, July 11, to officially open the tennis club’s new pavilion in Northwick Close.

Mrs Little congratulated all concerned for their ”drive and enthusiasm” in getting the project going, while club chairman Mr FW James thanked all those who had “chipped in” and contributed to  the new pavilion, “which includes a bar!”

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No doubt the pair of them would be very pleased that half a century later WLTC continues to flourish with well over 200 members.

The history of the club dates back to the 1920s when it was known as Northwick Tennis Club. Three grass courts, still in use today, were all it then possessed and play was only possible between May and September.

The Second World War also brought problems. No new tennis balls were manufactured so the same balls were used for the duration and petrol for the mowers was also unavailable so ingenious club members borrowed sheep and goats from local farmers to keep the grass down. Membership dropped so dramatically that advertisements for short-term membership were displayed at the local RAF Station at Perdiswell.

But the club survived and in 1959 two shale courts were laid, plus a further one in 1964. But the biggest change came in 1969 when North Worcester Tennis Club, then based in Checketts Lane, sold its ground and joined Northwick to become Worcester Lawn Tennis Club.

With proceeds of the sale of the land, the club was able to build a new clubhouse, and lay three further tarmac courts with floodlights and a further grass court that has since been converted to all weather.

Game, set and match to WLTC.