The History of Queens Park Tennis Club

There has been a tennis club at Queens Park since 1939. The hand written records show that there were 71  members in 1939. At that time there were two teams which took part in a Saturday league and a Wednesday evening league. QPLTC were runners up in the Saturday league and came third in the Wednesday league. That year a profit of £5. 5s 1d was made.

Numbers dropped significantly the following year with just 42 members probably due to the war. The finances resulted in a loss of 14s 6d. The numbers continued to fall in 1944 down to 16 but happily the funds were healthier with a profit of £1.2s.5½ d

Until the early 70’s the membership level was always below 50.  In more recent years the club thrives with the membership level at about 80.

Brenda Jewell was a familiar face at the courts where for over 50 years she took an active part in the club as well as with the LTA. She acted as secretary and treasurer for QPLTC. In 2005 she was presented with an award by the LTA for her lifetime’s work with the organisation. The national trophy is only presented to one person each year and winning it was one of Brenda’s proudest achievements.

Sadly she died in January 2008 and a commemorative bench now overlooks the courts inscribed ‘Brenda Jewell Loved and respected by Queens Park Tennis Club’ The photograph below, taken in 1958, shows late Brenda Jewel in the front row, 3rd from the left.

Each year trophies which date back as far as 1961 are awarded for the following categories:
- Men’s Singles Champion
- Ladies’ Singles Champion
- Men’s Doubles
- Ladies’ Doubles
- Mixed Doubles
- Tony Hyatt trophy for Most improved player
- Most league points
- Brenda Jewell Memorial Trophy
- Mike Haines Trophy
- Friends of Queen’s Park

These trophies tell a story in themselves e.g. The cup for the men’s singles champion is called the Men’s Open Singles Challenge Cup and was presented by Messrs E & N Friend. The winner in 1961 was JC Pierce.  Jack is remembered each year  when  the Jack Pierce Trophy is presented to the player with the most league points. George Jewell won the Men’s Singles Trophy on the following dates 1962, 1963, 1964, 1966 and 1968.