Gloucester Wotton Lawn Tennis Club is one of the oldest tennis clubs in the country.

Formed in 1881, it’s still going strong today, boasting some 60 to 70 members and competing as it does at a very decent level.

Ladies’ captain Dale Williams has been a big part of the club since the late 1980s.

“I must have been with the club for nigh on 30 years,” she said. “I’m in my second spell as ladies’ captain.”

And she’s not just been captain for the odd year or so either because her first spell lasted for some 10 or 11 years and she’s been captain for a similar period this time around.

And she’s been successful too because the ladies’ A team were promoted to the Premier Division of the Gloucestershire Summer League at the end of last season, their second promotion in three years.

It’s a remarkable achievement – Dale says it is “astonishing” – because she is in her early 60s and she’s not the youngest in their regular four-strong team!

“Bernadette Padfield is the same age and Patricia Burdett is a bit older “ said Dale. “My partner Karlee Jarvis is younger, she’s the baby of the team!”

Bernadette’s husband David is the club’s chairman and Patricia is the club’s welfare officer, key roles that need to be filled if players are to be allowed to enjoy the game they’ve played for so long.

And Dale and Karlee certainly enjoy playing with each other. Teams are made up of two doubles pairings and Dale said: “It’s great fun and it’s a great way of getting exercise without having to run too far because a court is fairly small.”

“It’s so sociable, we’re laughing even when we’re playing competitively.”

So what are Dale’s strengths as a tennis player?

“I’m not as quick as I used to be but I like to think I’m okay,” she said, “I must be doing something okay!

“I like playing at the net but like to think I’m ok at the back of the court too.

“I enjoy playing strategic tennis. Karlee often says to me, ‘Go on, play chess, move them around the court’.”

And there are plenty of courts at the club – three hard and two grass – and they are used all the year round because the club also competes in the winter leagues. There are also plenty of social sessions where all abilities play together and enjoy themselves.

“We’re not just a summer sport,” said Dale, who added that the club are always looking to add to their membership. They currently have three men’s teams and three ladies’ teams competing in the Gloucestershire Summer League.

“We’ve got an ageing demographic and we’re trying to change that,” continued Dale. “We want to encourage younger players, our membership includes juniors and social players as well as league players.”

And anyone who fancies having a hit at the club will find it not far from the city centre in the wonderfully named Posy Lane just off Denmark Road.

“We’re very proud of our history and the fact that we are one of the oldest clubs in the country but we feel like a modern club,” added Dale, who lives just five miles from the club in nearby Norton.

“It’s just a lob and a smash away,” she laughed, “it’s fabulous.”

Anyone who would like further information about Gloucester Wotton or would like to join the club can ring Dale on 077131 66096.