FORMER councillor Pop Jolley, who helped secure funding for new tennis courts at Chatteris was guest of honour at their official opening. Mr Jolley, formerly a Fenland councillor and deputy leader, helped St Peter s Tennis Club secure funding for the new

FORMER councillor Pop Jolley, who helped secure funding for new tennis courts at Chatteris was guest of honour at their official opening.

Mr Jolley, formerly a Fenland councillor and deputy leader, helped St Peter's Tennis Club secure funding for the new all-weather courts, which were built last autumn but officially opened on Saturday.

The club invited Mr Jolley to perform the official opening after he helped to win a grant of £25,000 from Fenland District Council.

The grant had to be match funded by the club to meet the total cost of just over £50,000.

Also present was Councillor Geoff Harper, leader of Fenland Council, Councillor Florence Newell, chairman of Chatteris Town Council, Councillor Sue Elam, her deputy, plus about 50 club members and friends.

Tennis Club chairman, Laurie Finch, thanked the council for its help and thanked other organisations and individuals who had loaned, donated, fund-raised and worked hard for to make "this dream come true".

Mr. Finch paid special tribute to Geoff Brinton of Grounds and Co, who helped the club gain the 25-year lease of the church land which was essential before any work could begin.

The club has five teams in the Peterborough and Hunts League and is always on the lookout for new players. Club nights are Mondays and Wednesdays (6.30pm). Anyone interested in becoming a member should contact Enid Grainger on 01354 693766 or Laurie Finch on 01354 692109.

Junior coaching takes place on Saturday mornings (10am-1pm, at £1.50 per hour). You do not have to be a club member to join in these coaching sessions.