The sun is shining (hopefully!) and Wimbledon is just about to start, so there’s plenty to be excited about if you are a tennis player.

And that’s particularly true for the 100-plus members of Bourton Vale Tennis Club, whose club has just been voted Gloucestershire LTA Tennis Club of the Year.

It’s a richly deserved award for a club formed way back in 1910, a club with two floodlit all-weather courts which can be found just off Rissington Road next door to the cricket club.

And it’s easy to see why they won the award because in recent times they have built a new clubhouse, installed a new coaching team, increased the junior section – they now have 36 junior members – and built up links with the community.

Gwyneth Simmons, a former chairman who is now secretary of the club, is delighted with the progress that is being made.

She’s been playing tennis at the club for 20 years and said: “We are doing our best to get as many people playing tennis as possible. 

“With lots of other sporting options available and relying on volunteers for management, fundraising and growing admin and important safeguarding regulations, small sports clubs have to work extra hard to thrive in rural areas.”

Fortunately, Bourton Vale have a very forward-thinking chairman in Tim Hull, someone who is prepared to put in the hard yards for the club and someone who Gwyneth says was instrumental in the club winning their prestigious award earlier in the summer.

“Tim Hull took on chair expecting a straightforward and easy position,” said Gwyneth. 

“He has since steered the club through Covid – succeeding in keeping courts open for safe play within the guidelines whenever possible – supported trustees in a major construction project to provide a future income for the club, managed the recruitment of a new head coach, and masterminded and spent hours of his own time building and fitting out the new clubhouse opened by Sue Barker last year.

“He steers a strong committee of nine helpers – all volunteers – to provide a great experience for all members.

“He is very dedicated, spending many hours of his own time to save the club money – he tiled and decorated the new clubhouse – and is very modest, always reluctant to blow his own trumpet.”

Kingsley Harris and Clare Bell make up the coaching team at Bourton, and Gwyneth continued: “We are constantly trying to get more people of all ages and abilities to play tennis.

“We work hard to keep membership costs to a minimum – no increase this year, despite massive energy price hikes. Floodlights are a major cost but necessary to offer year-round tennis. 

“We are working on a new initiative to introduce pay and play sessions, something the LTA is keen to promote. 

“We are also looking at astroturf and other more joint-friendly surfaces to replace the existing hard courts when they start to wear out.”

That’s good news for all the club’s members, of course, and the club certainly caters for players of all abilities.

“Debbie Jagla is our ladies’ A captain and we are proud to have a team competing in Division One of the Gloucestershire Summer League being such a small club,” said Gwyneth.

“Suzanne van Heyningen captains the ladies’ B and Alex Peyton the men’s. We would like to build this section to enter two men’s teams. 

“The club also take part in the local mixed doubles Wychwood League, giving more players the chance to get match tennis at a friendly, less competitive level.

“The teas and social side are almost as important as the tennis! We enter teams in the Gloucestershire mixed doubles winter league and run regular fun tournaments and knockout singles and doubles championships throughout the summer.

“We also run a junior tournament, weekly adult and junior social tennis sessions and a singles box league.”

Gwyneth, who lives in Evenlode, has been playing tennis for nearly 30 years and she has no intention of giving up any time soon.

 “Tennis has the advantage of being a fun way of keeping fit for people of all ages,” she said. “Research has shown that tennis has mental as well as physical health benefits and it is a very social sport and a great way to meet new friends.

“Bourton have been an important local amenity for well over 100 years. It is friendly, energetic, forward-thinking and determined to continue in that tradition and offer future generations in Bourton and surrounding villages the chance to enjoy this great sport in this beautiful part of the Cotswolds.”