Duchess 'crowns' tennis club's centenary year (From Penarth Times)

Duchess 'crowns' tennis club's centenary year

DINAS POWYS experienced the rare event of a Royal visit on Saturday, September 15, when The Duchess of Gloucester, President of The Lawn Tennis Association, visited the village Lawn Tennis Club.

Her Royal Highness attended a Junior Tennis Day, the final event in a programme designed to celebrate the Dinas Powys Club's centenary year.

An excited group of around 200 children, including club members and visitors from local schools and tennis clubs were first involved in morning training and skill sessions with professional tennis players, Chris Wilkinson, Jo Ward, Colin Beecher and Helen Reesby, all of whom have played in the Wimbledon Championships.

This section culminated in a large number of the children 'challenging' the professionals in serve and rally sessions, provoking roars of support from the watching 400 spectators.

Another impressed viewer was David Lloyd the former UK Davis Cup player and Captain, founder of the well-known chain of Leisure Clubs and who is now involved with the recently launched Next Generation Leisure Clubs.

His enthusiasm was converted into positive action when he offered to become Patron of the XL Tennis Academy recently founded at the Dinas Powys Club by Coach, Matt Wright.

The Duchess, accompanied by The Lord Lieutenant, Captain N Lloyd Edwards, was welcomed to Dinas Powys by the Chairman, Vale of Glamorgan County Council, Councillor M. Nugent, The Chief Executive, Mr J.Maitland Evans, Vice Chairman Dinas Powys Community Council, Councillor M. Jones and Mr. John Seel President of Dinas Powys Lawn Tennis Club. A posy was presented by the Club Junior Captains, Mr. Chris Gaylard and Miss Zara Walters.

The Royal Party, escorted by Chairman of the Junior Committee, Mrs Jan Cunningham, Club Coach, Mr Matt Wright, Mr. David Lloyd, Club Chairman Mr. Tony Cox, and Mr David Cunningham then toured the nine courts where the children demonstrated the various games and exercises designed to improve their racket and ball skills.

Her Royal Highness, a tennis player herself, was clearly impressed with all she saw and spent a full hour with the juniors, frequently stopping to chat with them and the large number of helpers.

In a short ceremony, the Club Captain Mr. Simon Keane introduced the President, Mr. John Seel who spoke of the past and future of the club before inviting the Duchess to present the Centenary Silver Salver, donated by past President and longest standing club member Mrs Susan Thomas, to the Most Deserving Junior Player, eight-year-old, Miss Amy Hooper.

Tony Cox then invited HRH to unveil the Centenary Plaque, which records in both Welsh and English the Centenary Year and the occasion.

Mr Gerwyn Williams, a club member responded to the Duchesses request for the Welsh translation to be announced. In her own spontaneous gesture HRH responded, thanking all for the kind reception, remarking on the enthusiasm of Juniors, helpers and organisers and wishing the Club a very successful future.

A large crowd then watched as the Royal Party left Dinas Powys Common in a helicopter of the Queen's Flight to the cheers and flag waving of the children, members and villagers at the end of a hugely enjoyable day; a fitting end to a season of great celebrations.

The club would like to thank their sponsors, The Vale of Glamorgan Council, The Dinas Powys Community Council, Fordthorne of Cardiff and Amersham PLC for their support.