OL Tennis Club
Formerly known as Lancing Old Boys’ Lawn Tennis Club (LOBLTC), this is an active and sociable club which is always glad to welcome new members, usually playing on the excellent grass courts at Lancing College. Regular matches are played versus The Old Carthusians, Grasshoppers LTC and Weald LTC. In the past, we have had annual matches with Oxford and Cambridge colleges where OL players have been students. We have also had fixtures with the Dieppe LTC, Public Schools’ Old Boys LTA, UCS, Ardingly and Hurstpierpoint Colleges. We should like to revive some of these fixtures and would be very pleased to hear from any OL tennis player who could suggest new opponents, as well as the match organiser.
D’Abernon Cup
We participate each year in this public schools’ old boys’ lawn tennis competition. On 5 April 2014 at Stoke Park, Oli Tritton and Mike Simpson successfully got through the first round. Oli Tritton, Mike Simpson, Robert Camping and Michael Savage lost narrowly in the last eight to UCS in a match played at the Roehampton National Tennis Centre on 13 July 2014. Our D’Abernon Cup organiser is Harvey Rawlings on 01403 711 770.
Founder
The club was founded in 1947 by Rodney Townley, who ran it for 46 years. His enthusiasm and care for OL tennis was exemplary. It was he who established the link with Dieppe LTC. Those who remember Rodney will recall extremely happy tennis times, filled with much fun and laughter. So keen was he on his tennis that in the latter years when he was less mobile, he might have been seen on the tennis court with his walking stick as well as his tennis racket. Since 1994, Richard Rawlings has been executive chairman. He will be retiring at the end of 2014, when his successor will be appointed. Also, Peter Stotesbury, who has been our excellent Hon Treasurer for at least 35 years, has asked to step down. Will any members who are interested in this position please contact our Hon Secretary.
Contact
Hon Secretary Richard Blackburn blackburn.r@btinternet.com
Joining and Fees
We are always looking to add more players (male and female!) to our playing list. All standards are welcome so if you wish to join in, please contact our Hon Secretary Richard Blackburn on 07973 264699 or email blackburn.r@btinternet.com. Life membership of the OL Tennis Club is only £45 and match fees are £5 to contribute to the cost of the teas and tennis balls. Please send cheques payable to our Hon Treasurer Peter Stotesbury at 48 Wickham Way, Beckenham, Kent BR3 3AF.
