Audlem Tennis Courts

Public Use of Tennis Courts  This article is in response to the various comments which have appeared recently.

The conditions under which the "public" (i.e. not club members) may use the Audlem Club tennis courts were established when the lease to use the courts was agreed between the newly-formed Club and Crewe & Nantwich Borough Council in 1983. This lease has been renewed at regular intervals since, most recently with Cheshire East council.

The public ONLY have right of access on a Monday (all day) and Wednesday (until 6pm). This is on condition that they pre-book (through the Chairman, Secretary or Treasurer) and pay a fee of £3 per hour.  Access is through the small gate only, therefore there are no rights to play ‘free’ tennis, nor to enter the clubhouse

The public must abide by the rules and bye laws of the Club at all times (i.e. MUST wear suitable shoes, appropriate language, attitude etc)

With this in mind over the past numerous years the Tennis Club has allowed the public far more access than required through our lease by leaving the small gate unlocked and not charging for access at all!  Due to vandalism over the past 12 months or so the committee has finally had enough of the disrespectful attitude (by some players), decided to lock the gate and revert back to our legal obligations, i.e. to pay & play

What some people seem not to realise is that we have been, for some time, attempting to find a resolution whereby the general public can use the courts on a reasonable basis to play recreational tennis, without jeopardising the condition of the courts and facilities.  I can categorically say that every member of the committee was disappointed when we made the decision to lock the small gate.  There is nothing better on a tennis court than to see parents and children having fun or a group of children hitting balls on a court

We have just been successful in appointing a new coach for the club, and this will secure our capacity to offer coaching on a regular basis, especially for younger members.

I very much hope that this offers some comfort to village residents that the club has no intention of becoming an exclusive institution and we welcome anyone, especially young children, playing on the courts

Nic Goodwin

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