History

Bristol Evening Post Article (abridged) 02/07/2002

John Conway writes:

WOODLANDS Tennis Club started back in 1941 when members of Redfield Tennis Club were looking for a venue to form a new tennis club. An orchard in a field in Hanham, owned by Mr Moon, came on the market for £250 - it was situated at the end of the lane running between Bibury Crescent and Martins Road.

Kleen-e-ze regularly put cinders down to keep the lane dry. The area was quiet and peaceful with just chickens and sheep grazing in the fields. The players decided to each put in £10. One member said he would lend £50 if the others could raise the further £200. This was a tremendous undertaking, as back in 1941 the average wage was only £3 per week.

They purchased the orchard, cleared the trees, laid new turf and put up a 10-foot chainlink fence. The local milkman's horse - with sacking on its hooves - was used to pull the heavy roller, and sheep were brought in to keep the grass short.

The club had been running for over 12 months, but had no name. A meeting was convened in the chicken hut on September 30, 1942. The name Purlieu Tennis Club was suggested but the club was eventually named Woodlands, after the bungalow at the end of the lane in Martins Road which is still there today.

Sixty years on and Woodlands have improved their facilities no end, with two coloured macadam courts, 16 floodlights, carpeted clubhouse and kitchen.

This year (2002), in order to bring it into the 21st century, the club has extended the clubhouse to include the outside privy, another changing room and cycle stands for the members.

Coaching also plays its part in the future of the club ensuring a steady flow of new juniors and adults supporting both the club nights and the league teams.

Woodlands last year (2001) won all their respective leagues - winter and both the men's and ladies' summer leagues. My pleasure is seeing three of my original juniors now earning their living as full-time qualified coaches and another three training to be future coaches working in local comprehensive schools.