THE CLUB
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Brief History of Brentwood Lawn Tennis ClubThe club was founded in 1907 on the present site, owned at the time by Mr A. G. Burnett, a coal merchant of 94 Brincliffe Edge Road. The original two grass courts were laid out by him with his wheelbarrow; later they were found to have a three foot slope end to end. Later two more courts were built on the site, and finally two more on a second plot of land leased on the other side of Brentwood Road. In 1955 both plots were bought on behalf of the Club. Over the years some courts were changed to shale then hard tarmac surfaces, until all six were re-laid as tarmac in 1987. At this time, part of the lower plot was sold for housing to finance the complete relaying of six courts.
During its hundred years’ existence, the full playing membership has fallen from the original maximum of 110 to about 80, but the Club continues to be a lively centre of tennis with a thriving junior section. Brentwood’s strength has always been as a friendly club, and it has rarely been in the top flight of match tennis, but competitive tennis has also been an important part of its character.
All the courts are being relaid once more in 2006 to fit the Club for the next 100 years.
Dr Jim Monach Club President June 2006 |
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[Last updated: Thursday February 22, 2007] |