A Stalybridge tennis club celebrated their centenary in style with members both old and new gathering to reminisce.
Priory Tennis Club on Mottram Road boasts a long, successful history, with players almost as old as the club itself still committed to battling on the courts.
Great grandfather Jack Millin, loyal player Robin and wedded pair Tony and Pat Jenkins are among the tennis fans that have settled at Priory and it’s no wonder why they found their feet at the club.
“Last year we had an increase in membership of 25%,” says membership secretary Trevor Hatch as he looks on the success of the club.
“With leisure facilities closed and so many people wanting to still participate in a sport, tennis saw a boom and we benefitted greatly from that,” he says.
However, the success doesn’t just lie with participation rates, with chairman Nick Holmes explaining how this season has been one to remember.
“This year our men’s first team have made it to the first division. This is the only time this has ever happened, and we couldn’t be happier about that!
“Our ladies’ team have also played brilliantly, finishing 3rd in the North East Cheshire League,” he says.
The achievements that the club has collated has only added to the celebrations this year, with the team being named runner-up in the LTA Cheshire Club of the Year in June and now the gathering to symbolise their 100thbirthday.
Saturday 31 July marked the occasion and festivities began with families and members in high spirits.
The day served us with a competition for players to begin with, before passing over to the cutting of the cake and dishing up some wonderful food.
Chairman Nick Holmes delivered a heartfelt speech regarding the history of the club and what it means to him before passing the racquet over to Stalybridge MP Jonathon Reynolds and Civic Mayor of Tameside Councillor Janet Cooper.
Thanking the club for all their efforts in recent years, Jonathon Reynolds spoke of his pride to represent a district in which clubs like this remain.
Centenary celebrations were a hit all around, with families gathering to grasp a taste of the club.
As well as their tremendous history, Priory continue to work to upgrade the club, working with People First Tameside to offer sessions for those living with a disability.
The club is also set to welcome a centenary garden which will be grown by gardener and tennis player Pat Jenkins.
Usually using her garden as a charity space where locals can admire her talents while enjoying a slice of cake, Pat raised £600 for Christies in 2019 and is now using her skills to bring colour to the club.
Priory are always on the lookout for new members and caters for all ages and abilities.
You can read more on the club's history here
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