From: The Racketeer 16, December 1995
The Story of Mapperley Park Tennis Club
Part 11 - A Team Effort
by Chris Weir
Chris Weir takes the story up to the mid-eighties.
THE SPRING of 1986 saw solid progress on a number of 'fronts'. The toilet and shower block, designed by Frank Dickinson and built by Thomas Fish & Sons, was completed at the end of March, and a third hard court was painted ready for use in May. Nor was there any pause in fund-raising, with over £500 added to the club's finances.
The Secretary's report noted the 'enormous organising efforts' of Judy Small, while thanks were also due to Shirley Darlaston and Brenda Murray for their continued attentions to the clubhouse, and to Catherine Corder for club teas. 1986 was also described in the report as an 'extraordinary year for membership'. with no less than 94 new members joining MPTC. though at the same time an astonishing 67 'resigned, moved away or vanished'. The balance overall was very favourable, with a membership high of 257.
The burden of Club Captain had been taken on in 1985 by Pat Darlaston, following the surprise resignation, not only from this past, but also from the club, of the popular Frank Raistrick. In 1986 Michael Smith took over the post of Hon. Secretary from Alec French, who had put in eight hard, frantically busy years. Another change was the arrival of Geoff Firmin on the committee.
The committee pressed on with further developments, notably the fourth hard court, which was completed in September 1986 at a cost of £6,200. Grants were forthcoming from both the Sports Council and the LTA.
Pat Darlaston's Captain's report of 1985-6 recorded considerable success for the club's teams. The Ladies' and Mixed first teams were both promoted, the former to Division 4B, the latter to 3 - both teams were to progress further in 1986. The Men's third won five of their six matches and were promoted to 7B. In addition a newly-formed Men's fourth team 'survived'. From further afield came the news that Amanda Gregory had represented Great Britain on the Continent, and that Shirley Darlaston had represented the county at Veteran level and had been runner-up at the Jack Britton Tournament. It had been quite a year.
In the club's own competitions, the results were as follows: Men's Singles, Lee Lloyd; Ladies' Singles, Shirley Darlaston; Men's Under-21 Singles, Mark Fletcher; Ladies Under-21 Singles, Anita Murray; Boys' Under-15 Singles, Philip Edwards; Girls' Under-15 Singles, Rebecca Firmin Under-12 Mixed Singles, Jonathan Williams; Men's Doubles, Don Masson and Voyta Skagel; Ladies' Doubles, Shirley Darlaston and Lisa Ostrowsky; Mixed Doubles, Peter Gunton and Anita Murray.