GENERATIONS of players at Riding Mill Tennis Club gathered to see founder member Bessie Routledge officially open the club’s newly refurbished courts and clubhouse on Saturday.

The day marked the first club tournament held in recent years to celebrate the end of the £60,000 programme of works, which was completed two weeks ago.

Bessie (82) was in the club’s first ladies’ team which formed around 60 years ago and is one of only a handful of members of the club’s original league team who still live in the village today.

At the time, there was only one court in the local vicar’s front garden, so the team had to play all their league matches away.

Today, the club has three newly resurfaced hard courts, made up of a single multi-use court and a double Tarmac court.

The newly-improved facilities play host to junior coaching twice a week and adult coaching on Sunday for the 70-strong membership.

“A Sport England grant, the village community, local businesses and funding from Northumberland County Council‘s Community Chest have helped us get the whole thing finished off,” said club committee member Rob Archer.

During the opening ceremony Bessie, who moved to Riding Mill in 1962, recalled the early days of the club, describing how villagers rallied round and built proper courts themselves on the site which is still used.

The land was boggy and needed to be drained, and a temporary bridge had to be built across a stream so that building equipment could go on site.

Tennis club minutes from the 1960s describe never-ending fund-raising with whist drives and dances at whichsoft drinks were always sold instead of alcohol.

However, raffle prizes often included packs of cigarettes for men, and chocolates for women.

The minutes also note complaints about children tethering their ponies to the fencing of the tennis courts.

Players were always expected to wear white tennis outfits, but tennis on Sundays was restricted and children were not welcome.

“Riding Mill Tennis Club now prides itself on being family friendly and inclusive, and coaching courses for children are very popular,” said Rob.

As she cut the red ribbon, Bessie was surrounded by children, parents and grandparents who all play.

Bessie had a special word for young tennis players, whom she told: “Keep at it. Practise hard, and listen to the coach and it will all fall into place.”

She said: “I wish Riding Mill Tennis Club every happiness and success for many years to come.”

Bessie, who is a retired teacher, continued to play tennis up until recently when she took up golf instead.