Pro-Celebrity Day a fantastic success, despite poor weather
"A superb day", "brilliant tennis", "great food and hospitality", "we all
had great fun, despite the weather". These are just a few of the dozens of
positive testimonials Frinton Lawn Tennis Club received from sponsors and
spectators following its second Pro-Celebrity tennis day on 8 June 2007.
And what a day it was. Early thunderstorms and torrential rain halted any
prospect of getting the stars to play on grass. But the weather was good
enough to allow a couple of rain-free sessions when more than 350 spectators who braved the elements saw some spectacular tennis on the hard courts, courtesy of British tennis legends Mark Cox, Buster Mottram and Andrew Castle.
The tone was set early by former British No1 and GMTV star presenter Andrew Castle eagerly said: "We'll play the moment it stops raining." And so they did.
The first four also included legendary DJ and Pro-Celeb founder Mike Read,
who played well amid the august company of Messrs Cox, Mottram and Castle. The shots fizzed, as did the humour. Courtside commentary from Bob Mills and Miles Crawford also kept the crowd chuckling.
Then Miles Crawford, a very useful player, and Diddy David Hamilton joined
the fray for another jovial set. However, the tennis highlight came after a
superb lunch (champagne, amuse bouche, pork terrine, hot-smoked salmon,
Jersey Royals and asparagus - plus the odd bottle or three) when Cox,
Mottram and Castle were joined by Frinton's own director of coaching Chris
Harris for a breathtaking doubles match. Chris is himself no slouch, having
once been a well-ranked British player and a former USA Collegiate Doubles
champion, playing for the University of Texas.
And so it proved, when he and Castle beat the 1978 Davis Cup finalists Cox
and Mottram six games to two in a fast, thumping, exhilarating set.
The champagne moment came when Andrew turned to his partner Chris and
implored: "Don't swing at your volleys." The humour in this is apparent to
all those coached by Chris over the years - it happens to be a favourite
line of his!
Huge congratulations go to all those involved in making the day such a huge
success, in particular club manager Kim Willetts, catering and bar chief Mike
Brown, club secretary Lynette Sparks and chef Paul Wharrier.
The club also thanks all its sponsors who provided so much help and support
to make the day such a massive success. They are Total Greek Yoghurt, Essex County Newspapers, Lavenham Press, Coutts Bank, Ellisons Solicitors,
Hatfields, Essex Chamber of Commerce and Scrutton Bland.
