From: Notts LTA Handbook 1961
The Mapperley Park Tennis Club
[by Robert Pullman]
AT THE BEGINNING of the century, by a shady pond in the western reaches of the grounds of old Mapperley Hall, there had been a pleasantly sheltered lawn where the leisurely game of croquet was played. Eventually, the pond was filled in and bowls added to the attractions. The estate was developed into a residential neighbourhood, and about the year 1922, the Bowls and Croquet Club now situated at the corner of Mapperley Hall Drive and Carisbrooke Drive, decided to change its mode of operation and become a Tennis Club. Thus the Mapperley Park Tennis Club was founded, and began to function in 1923 with two grass courts.
It thrived for many years under the able direction of secretaries such as Messrs. Charles Sanderson, A. G. Dickens, Geoff Hill and Bill Watson. During this period a third court was added to the Club, by obtaining the use of a piece of land previously used by Mr. Bignal as a private tennis court. This made three good grass courts, but the Club being anxious to move with the times investigated the possibility of laying down a hard court, and round about 1937 this product was put in hand due largely to the efforts of Mr. Watson who was then the Secretary, Mr. Bob Peet who was then the Treasurer, and Miss Marjorie Richmond. This work involved the Club in an expenditure of about £500 because only the best was good enough, and one of the finest resilient type hard courts was laid. These courts resemble more nearly than any other type of hard court the play under grass court conditions. The Court was opened with an exhibition by Notts. County Tennis Players, but shortly afterwards came the Second World War.
In spite of all difficulties the Club was maintained in operation throughout the war, providing sport and relaxation, not only for a section of Nottingham tennis enthusiasts, but for many Forces personnel who were stationed in the area. During this period administrative duties were undertaken by many stalwarts including among others Miss Richmond, Mr. Durent, Mr. Cobb, and last, but by no means least, Mr. & Mrs. G. A. Rendle, who acted as combined Treasurer and Secretary from 1944 until things began to return to normal in 1946 when Mr. Len Ferneyhough undertook the duties of Secretary. In the following year he and Mr. Jack Britton (present Chairman of Council) became joint Secretaries. In the same year Mr. Rex Browne became Treasurer as Mr. Rendle was unfortunately leaving the district. In 1948 Mr. R. Pullman became Secretary and still acts in that capacity.
At about this time, Mr. J. H. Shipstone, the owner of the land, intimated that he wished to sell it, and thus began a financial investigation and series of transactions of the utmost complexity. It would be appropriate before going into this to record the Club's most sincere thanks to Mr. Shipstone for the nominal rent that he had charged for many years, and which he had in fact waived on many occasions to enable the Club to maintain the property in good condition and carry on during difficult times.
Efforts to raise money in order to purchase or, at least maintain control of the land, were started and pursued with vigour by successive Committees and Treasurers. In 1950, Mr. S. J. Browne, who had been elected President of the Club arranged a loan from the People's Bank, Nottingham, and supplemented this by an interest free loan of his own, thus enabling the land to be purchased. Mr. G. Trounce, the Club Treasurer, at this time put in much work in this connection, continuing in office until 1953 when he handed over his duties to Mr. Peter Cullen who is still operating in that capacity.
Little enough has been said about tennis, which remains throughout the purpose of the Club. Shortly after the war, teams were entered in the 1946 temporary leagues and the Men were successful in finishing first in Section 3. They were promoted regularly and rose rapidly to the position of runners-up in Division 1; they were relegated the following year and each successive year, unfortunately, to Division 7 from which promotion was gained last year to Division 6 for the current season. The Ladies team has been far more stable and maintained its position around Division 4.
In the middle fifties, the Committee turned their attention to the younger generation, who have been encouraged and assisted in recent years by tournaments and coaching. Junior membership was opened to any player over twelve years of age, and they are now able to play at the Club at very reduced subscriptions at any time except Saturday afternoons and Sunday mornings, these times being restricted to players over 16. The Club, at the present time, has some 90 playing members, of whom 40 are in fact under 16 years of age.
For some considerable time the Committee had had their eyes on the piece of land at the corner of Esher Grove and Carisbrooke Drive which adjoined the Club, and which would be very suitable to provide a fourth court. In 1955 the Clumber Tennis Club closed down and many of the members joined Mapperley Park Tennis Club and were a very welcome addition to the playing strength. The President, Mr. S. J. Browne, had recently acquired the land at the corner of Esher Grove, allowing the Club the use of it and thus enabling us to make a fourth court. In 1957, Mr. Peter Cullen, the Treasurer, reported that he had been investigating the financial position, and also the possibility of laying a second hard court and he recommended that the N.P.F.A. be approached and asked to assist the Club so that we could purchase all the land outright and lay the second hard court. After much negotiation by the Treasurer, ably assisted by Mr. Tony Ricks, who had sometime previously been appointed Auditor, arrangements were made. £1,200 was put up on loan by four of the members, and the balance donated by the N.P.F.A. or borrowed from the bank, thus the Club came to its present status. An independent organisation controlled by trustees acting on the instructions of the Committee, this status could not have been achieved without the noble support of Mr. S. J. Browne, a tremendous amount of work by Mr. Peter Cullen, and a vast amount of assistance and support by Mr. Tony Ricks.