The History of Southwick Tennis Club.
There is some debate as to the year Southwick tennis club was originally opened. Some say 1923, but our only evidence is a photograph (below) of Jim Carson and the caption Greenkeeper 1928-1978. The minutes of the 1984 AGM, however, still record James Carson as greenkeeper until shortly before his death in November that year. Mrs Carson assisted all those years by collecting visitors' fees and hiring out racquets. We have been told that the local headmaster of Southwick School (now closed) persuaded the laird at the time to allow part of his estate to be used by the community for a tennis club.
The first evidence of organisation appears in the minutes of an AGM held April 23rd 1935.The club seems to have functioned throughout the war years, with the possible exception of 1944 (for which there are no minutes), though belts were apparently tightened. In a reference to the retirement gift to Miss Beatrice Watson, President at the time...."Owing to war conditions a social evening was not possible. It was agreed to give 6d. per member & the balance up to £1 from the funds".
It appears that there was always a struggle to keep the club going. A 1948 meeting refers to 31 members, which was regarded as "good". Funds were bolstered by annual tea dances, held in the pavilion (maybe it was bigger then) or at Southwick School.
The attitude to junior members might be considered questionable today....."juveniles do not play on the courts after 7.00pm"....and...."the question of children writing on notices was discussed & it was decided that the President give all the younger members a lecture".
First reference to fixtures with other clubs appears in 1949. A match against Parton was held at Southwick at the end of 1948 season. History does not record who won, but there was sufficient enthusiasm remaining to challenge Dalbeattie second team to a match the following June, and Auchencairn in September the same year. Colvend also appears to have had a team.
Evidently playing tennis on a Sunday was frowned upon. In 1950 the laird (Mr Thomas) gave his permission for Sunday play, but Mr Halliday (presumably the Minister) refused.
Notably, the minutes of April 1952 refer to the lack of tournaments during 1951 season...."owing to the outbreak of Foot & Mouth Disease in the area"....a reminder of our own experiences 50 years later, when all the lost balls remained in the field!
1954 saw the installation of our only modern convenience, a water supply, courtesy of Mr Thomas. The following year he also removed the burden of rent.
The minutes of 1961 record with horror the introduction of a rates demand of £12, more than the club's entire bank balance! Mr Johnston, solicitor, of Dalbeattie came to the rescue, and won a reduction to £7 on appeal, and waived his fee into the bargain.
The tennis club continued to function well, supported by barn dances at Ryes Farm and whist drives in the pavilion, until James Carson's death in 1984, when it became difficult to find a reliable greenkeeper, and sadly by 1988 the club had folded due to neglect and ..."lack of support".
And so, to bring us up to date...... Bobby Carver,the new resident at Linnet Hall at the time, recognised the potential of the neglected and overgrown tennis courts, and set about rallying the troops. He searched out sources of income and potential helpers, and by the summer of 1993 the courts were up and running again.
The courts were relaid, a new pavilion built and new nets and fences erected and a new pro-lawnmower was bought, all with the help of grants from Galloway Groundbase, The Foundation for Sport & the Arts, and the local Community Council.
Graham Cameron and Ryan Carson took on the task of greenkeeping, with Graham also running the finances, and Bobby as Secretary......to be continued
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