Club History
Worcester Lawn Tennis Club is probably one of the oldest tennis clubs in the city of Worcester, its history dates back to the 1920’s when the club was known as Northwick Tennis Club. The three grass courts still in use today were all that the club then possessed and play was only possible during the summer months between May and September. With the onset of the Second World War restrictions meant that no new tennis balls were manufactured so the same balls were used for the duration of the war, petrol was not available so ingenious members borrowed sheep and goats from local farmers to keep the grass down! Membership during this period dropped so dramatically that advertisements for short term membership were displayed at the local RAF Station at Perdiswell.

There have been changes at the club over the years; in 1959 two shale courts were laid and a further one in 1964 but the biggest change came in 1969 when North Worcester Tennis Club then based in Checketts Lane sold their ground and joined Northwick to become Worcester Lawn Tennis Club. With proceeds of the sale of the land the club was able to build a new club house, lay three further tarmac courts with flood lights and a further grass court which has since been converted to all weather.

One of the club’s most successful players is Leslie Charles who enjoyed international success in the 1970’s.

The Club Now
The club now boasts some of the best facilities in the county with seven all weather courts, four with flood lights; the grass courts are still in use in the summer, and the club house has changing rooms with showers, a fully equipped kitchen and licensed bar.

The club enjoys considerable success at county level and has teams playing in most winter and summer leagues.

Of the present 400 plus members it is encouraging to see a healthy junior section of over 100 children most of whom receive regular coaching from resident LTA coach Jonathon Bradshaw. Notwithstanding this there are regular adult social groups who meet and play during weekdays and at weekends.

The club is in the process of installing flood lights on its three remaining courts which will make tennis available to more members all year round.

The past has seen the closure of many small clubs and the attraction of many other pastimes has put pressure on tennis clubs to make themselves available to all and Worcester Lawn Tennis Club welcomes all players young and old, beginner or experienced.

Directions
From the North:
Head to Worcester along the A449. When you come to a Rover garage opposite a pub called the New Inn, take a right up Colin Road. Continue along Colin Road, over the hill. When you get to the junction (it is an odd junction), take the second left (ie joining the road coming from the right), this is Northwick Road. Continue along Northwick Road past the playing fields (on your right), and take the first available right-hand turn. This is Northwick Close. The tennis club is towards the bottom of Northwick Close on the right-hand side.

From Worcester:
Head North out of Worcester (signposted M5). As you go past the park, bear left up the Obmersley Road (A449). As you come to the Co-Op on the right-hand side take the left up the Northwick Road. Continue up the Northwick Road. Take the first left past the School (Northwick Manor Junior School). This is Northwick Close. The tennis club is towards the bottom of Northwick Close on the right-hand side.

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.