By Doug Mower, chairman In the heart of Cuckfield village, by the lush green recreational ground stands the Cuckfield Lawn Tennis Club comprising of three tennis courts. This year was supposed to be its big 100th year filled with big celebrations.

A brief history!
- 1920 – The Cuckfield Lawn Tennis Club was formed from two smaller clubs, played on two courts in the Vicarage Field, and was led by a committee of six under the chair of Miss Payne. Later that year Mrs Richard Worsley presented the recreation ground to the village.
- 1921 – A further court was added and the joining fee was set at ten shillings.
- 1927 – Three grass courts were constructed on the recreation ground.
- 1938 – The Council agrees to construct one hard court, with a rent set at £25 per annum.
- 1943 – Play continues during wartime. The AGM reported 30 members and the Club won the Challenge Cup against Haywards Heath.
- 1969 – A clubhouse was erected and each member was asked to lend £100 for the project, and each member was repaid.
- 2000 – The Clubhouse was extended and professionally clad by the members.
- 2014 – The Club becomes a registered company and a charity, and takes responsibility for the courts from the Council.

This year the celebrations got off to a brilliant start with a new logo by Louis McKay and an anniversary letter from His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, President of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, congratulating us on reaching our centenary. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many of the other events planned for this year were postponed. Yet thanks to a surge in popularity, the tennis club’s celebrations are likely to be bigger and better for next year. In June the government gave the all-clear for tennis to restart again. This has grown from just singles to now doubles and even social tennis games every Tuesday and Saturday with good attendance. Coaching has also taken off in terms of demand. The club’s in-house coach, Patrick Armstrong, said: “There has been a really positive response to tennis in general and the coaching has really taken off too, which has been fantastic.”

For more news and information about current restrictions and to find out how you might be able to help the club with some of your own Cuckfield tennis memories, see the full article in August’s issue of Cuckfield Life.