Official opening of Westward Ho! tennis courts and special facilities

It was fair weather for the official opening of the Westward Ho! tennis courts plus new inclusive loos to ensure community facilities in the village are as accessible as possible.

The courts were refurbished by Northam Town Council last year and the council secured a grant as well as fund-raised to create a new Changing Places Toilet Facility on the site.

The official opening of the courts was carried out by Mirian Vinall, a longstanding advocate of local tennis, alongside the Mayor of Northam Councillor Louis Bach.

Above: Mirian Vinall carries out the official opening of the Westward Ho! tennis courts, joined by town clerk Guy Langton and Northam Mayor Louis Bach. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Meanwhile, well-known local businessman Rob Braddick added to his mop bucket list by officially opening the new Changing Places facility.

Above: Well-known local businessman Rob Braddick has ticked another off his (mop) bucket list by opening the Changing places Toilet at Westward Ho! Credit: Graham Hobbs

Above: Rob Braddick (right) with Northam Mayor Louis Bach (centre) and town clerk Guy Langton in the new Changing Places Toilet at Westward Ho! Credit: Graham Hobbs

To mark the occasion, the council hosted an Open Day of family tennis fun and activities for all ages alongside Atlantic Racquet Centre (ARC), which will once again be running summer tennis camps this year.

Above and below: Enjoying the Westward Ho! tennis courts during the Open Day. Credit: Graham Hobbs

The subsidised tennis camps run for six Tuesdays through the summer holidays starting on July 29. In between, there are group coaching sessions for all ages on Thursday evenings.

Northam Mayor, Cllr Bach, said: “Northam Town Council is proud to have worked with the Lawn Tennis Association to provide this renovated community tennis facility.

“The grand opening follows its successful first year, which saw it winning the Devon Tennis Association Park Venue of the Year. The council continues to partner with the Atlantic Racquet Centre to provide structured community tennis for all ages.

“The park, residents and visitors to Westward Ho! can all benefit from the fully functional Changing Places Facility, part-funded by Muscular Dystrophy UK. The bulk of the remaining funding came from the generosity of local residents and businesses, together with the town council successfully crowdfunding for the facility.”

Credit: Graham Hobbs

To book tennis summer camps and for more information, please visit https://www.atlanticracquetcentre.co.uk/arc-westward-ho.

There is also an opportunity for a whole local household (up to six people) to play for just £35 per year – visit www.northamtowncouncil.gov.uk for more details.