From: The Racketeer 30, July 1998
A Day to Remember
by Andy Lusis (with contributions from Chris Weir)
JEREMY BATES was the star attraction at the biggest event in the club's history, on Sunday 14th June. The former British number one not only opened the new floodlights and upgraded courts, but also led coaching clinics for both juniors and adults, and took part in exhibition matches.
In a meteorologically challenged summer, concerns about spoiling tactics from on high were almost groundless - the rain making only a late appearance. Unkind critics may say the same thing about Jeremy Bates, who did not arrive until after Adrian Coles, assisted by Adam Richardson, had started the mass coaching session. However, once at the club, Jeremy was hardly off the courts for the rest of the day. He began by providing advice and, probably more importantly, encouragement to a large number of enthusiastic members, young and old.
Before the opening ceremony, the club's longest serving member, Jack Britton, was taken by surprise when Bates made a small presentation to mark his sixty years at the club. Having regained his composure, Jack offered to take Jeremy on 'any day'! In his speech, Bates highlighted the club's active development programme and emphasised the importance of tennis at grassroots level. After the opening he spent some time signing autographs.
In a set of exhibition singles, Bates took on Leighton Alfred, manager of Nottingham's Centre of Excellence, who replaced Colin Beecher. With MC, Geoff Firmin acting as umpire and with specially trained ball boys and girls, the whole scene took on the appearance of an ATP tournament - to those with enough imagination. Following some hard-fought points, as well as some light-hearted exchanges, Jeremy, as expected, emerged as the winner. Next, and just in time for the rain, the two singles players joined forces to take on - separately - three of our Men's First Team pairs. Those who will be able to tell their grand-children that they showed Jeremy Bates how tennis is played at Mapperley Park were: John Broomfield, Duncan Burd, Adrian Coles, Jeremy Freemantle, Hamish Madan and Adam Richardson.
The club's 75th birthday celebrations also formed part of the day's events. There was a cake decorated with a miniature tennis court, complete with players. Some of the club's younger members released balloons bearing MPTC tags into the sky. And of course, there was champagne.
Perhaps as many as one hundred people were there. Club president, Christine Preston, a model of sartorial elegance, was everywhere, greeting members and guests. Cynthia Lindo, whose organisational genius was largely responsible for setting everything up, made sure that things ran smoothly on the day. It was gratifying to see that her invitations to representatives of other clubs had not been in vain. Also not in vain were your editor's efforts to sell copies of his new book (Tennis in Robin Hood's County), which went quite well after a slow start.
Away from the main activities, Radio Nottingham did a live ten-minute interview with Jeremy Bates at Michael Smith's house. Also in mediafriendly mode were Cynthia and Christine. The club captain said, 'Jeremy's appearance was a tremendous boost for Mapperley Park and for club tennis in the area. It was a great day for all the members and guests and it was a great day in the history of the club.' Our president said, 'We have all had a really exciting and memorable day. Above all, we now want to encourage the participation of juniors in the club. We will now be working towards the future with confidence.'
Web note: Photographs to be added.