Tennis courts

Fundraising campaign to bring Patterdale’s tennis courts back to life

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Enthusiasts looking to service new tennis courts in Patterdale have launched a fundraising appeal page as part of their bid to raise over £50,000.

Located in the King George V Playing Fields near St Patrick’s Church, the Patterdale Tennis Courts were established in 1939 with a donation from local residents Elsa and Ridley Temperley.

However, in recent years the courts have fallen into disrepair and are no longer safe to play on.

Helen Reed, Bronwyn Kerr and Fra Cooke have been busy raising funds, writing grant applications and generally galvanizing local support for the project to bring these old courts back to life.

So far, the team has applied for grants from district and county councils and other local benefactors and societies who have generously agreed to donate.

By April, well over half of the total amount had been collected. But they still have a long way to go and have launched a gofundme page with a £25,000 target.

Helen said: “The courts are in a stunningly beautiful location overlooked by Arnison Crag and Helvellyn with views over Ullswater.

“If the events of the last 12 months have taught us anything, it is that our physical and mental health and well-being are greatly improved through outdoor exercise and fresh air.

“Tennis is a fantastic way to get in shape, socialize and even make new friends and the regeneration of the Patterdale Tennis Club is seen as an important part of the fabric of the Ullswater Valley community.

“The proposal is to completely resurface both pitches and provide additional multi-sport markings on one of them to allow other sports such as netball/basketball and five-a-side football to be played.

“The fence will be replaced and there will be an integrated smart online reservation system. Access will be via annual membership or an hourly fee allowing residents to pay a one-time annual fee and visitors to pay as they play.

“The local primary school will also use the courts and they will be actively promoted through tourism in the valley.”

The donations will potentially make it possible to start work this spring and to operate the brand new courts for the summer.

To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/f/patterdaletenniscourts

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