< Gargrave doesn’t immediately stand out as a trend setting village, however 135 years ago the distinguished and influential ladies and gentlemen of the area, set up Craven’s first and only Lawn Tennis Club – a year ahead of Ilkley’s, and only 11 years after the All England Club was founded at Wimbledon.

In 1879 the club was formed, and during that first year matches were played on Gargrave Cricket Ground. The following year land was taken in The Smithy Crofts (long before the houses were ever dreamed of), and five grass courts were created, and a pavilion erected - which was later extended in 1908 to include a classic glass roofed veranda.

Tennis was the new fashionable sport for people of substance, as edified by a newspaper report from 1896, which described “the elite of the neighbourhood” gathering for the club’s annual tournament. In fact the directory of members’ names and addresses from 1916 sounds more like a list of character addresses from Downton Abbey than a club membership register, with addresses including; The Castle, Skipton; Aireville, Skipton; Tarn House, Skipton, Netherside Hall, Grassington; Hanlith Hall, Bell Busk, and Eshton Hall, Gargrave. Colonel Sir Mathew Wilson MP, who resided at Eshton Hall, was in fact President of the club at that time. Membership was strictly by invitation only, and it is clear from the list of members that ‘trade’ was definitely unacceptable.

Thankfully times have changed and the club is now incredibly friendly and most welcoming of members new and old, “Family membership is the life blood of the club and has been for generations,” explains Club Secretary, Beth Whitley, “We deliberately keep all our club rates low because we don’t want people to feel that cost is a barrier to joining. This year families can join the club for £135, which entitles the whole family to unlimited tennis for an entire year. We are also keen to stress that everybody has to start somewhere, and it really doesn’t matter if you are a total tennis novice, as we offer everything from league matches, to tennis social sessions, to coaching lessons - and we certainly don’t mind if members just want to come and have a knock about on their own.”

As Beth stated family membership has been the secret to the club’s longevity and prosperity, as currently over half of the club’s memberships belong to families. “We believe in encouraging family membership, as coming along as a family is one of the most sociable and fun ways of enjoying tennis. Also our club development plan has a huge focus on nurturing juniors and coaching young players - we firmly believe they are key to sustaining the future strength and success of the club.”

Be under no illusion though, budding tennis talent is also welcomed. The club plays in two local leagues; the Wharfedale Mixed Doubles League and the Bradford Park League. Last year both teams of mixed and men’s doubles had a superb season which saw both promoted within their respective leagues.

It hasn’t always been plain sailing for the club however, during both World Wars when most members were called up for active service, the club closed and the grounds were given over to support the village. Sheep grazed on the courts, and the pavilion was used for storing oats.

Many years later in February 1995 the original timber pavilion was destroyed by fire. Local residents alerted the fire brigade who were sadly unable to save the building. “Thankfully no one was injured and no one was to blame, as an electrical fault was found to be the cause” explains Beth, “however virtually all mementoes and souvenirs from the early days of the club perished with the fire. There was one treasure discovered amongst the ashes though, and that was the old tea bell, which used to be rung to summon members in for their tea and refreshments. Miraculously and thanks to some huge fund raising efforts, a new replica pavilion was up and running by July the following year, and the old tea bell was re-installed in pride of place.”

Although elitism and great affluence may have enabled Gargrave LTC to be conceived and to flourish - the legacy that those privileged origins left behind is simply that of a thriving club, grateful to its founders for securing its permanent and beautiful home in the heart of Gargrave. Since the club is now fiercely proud of its friendly inclusivity, the more snobbish aspects of its past have simply become colourful anecdotes and stories to enjoy and share.

For the price of two tickets at Centre Court next week, you and your family can enjoy months of summer grass court tennis and months of winter hard court tennis at Gargrave LTC. Even better, if you do decide to join, you can soak up that evocative feeling of being at a mini Wimbledon any time you please.

Craven Lawn Tennis Club in Gargrave will be holding their annual Open Day on Sunday 29th June from 2-5pm. Everyone is invited to come along to the Club to play tennis, croquet, table tennis and mini tennis for free. Club members will be on hand to offer coaching tips, social tennis and much more.

Directions to the Club can be found on our website at www.craventennis.org.uk

Additional information is available from Club Secretary, Beth Whitley, on 01756 749664 or secretary@craventennis.org.uk .