Priory Tennis Club may be over one hundred years old, but the centennial memories are far from being forgotten.

It’s a club with a remarkable history, surviving World Wars, global pandemics and twenty-two British Prime Ministers.

Now, members are able to take a trip down memory lane as they celebrate 100 years of Priory Tennis Club.

To commemorate the occasion, chairman Nick Holmes and committee member Chris Czermak decided to come together to create a unique item of memorabilia: a book sharing the narrative of Priory’s history.

“When we were looking at ways to celebrate the history of the club, we debated lots of ideas. One of the committee members came up with an idea for members to submit their memories, following the death of one of our players.

“That was our first idea. While we were having a brain wave, I remembered that there was a cabinet of drawers in the storeroom with photographs from times gone by.

“So, I came to the club, took it all home, and spent time looking through it. We even had the original architectural drawings for the club house.

“The more I uncovered, the more I thought it would be crazy to lose this history. It gave me an incentive to pull it all together. Me and Chris began working together to display all the history,” Nick said.

Dedicating time alongside their careers and sport to collate all the memories, Nick and Chris embarked on a two-year long project to bring Priory’s history to life.

“It’s taken a lot of time. Putting the actual book together is a big job but collecting all the memories and history takes a long time.

“But after all the work, it’s very rewarding having the book in our hands,” said Chris.

Members young and old call Priory their home, and everybody is welcomed and accepted. Some tennis players have spent decades with the club.

And so, there are plenty of memories to share, something that Chris and Nick quickly found out.

“It’s felt like therapy at times, some of the memories are autobiographical in a way. When you look back on what’s happened it’s so nice to see.

“I hope that when people get to read the memories, they will get to know other members of the club properly. Everyone has their own story,” Nick explained.

“It’s amazing to see how many members have submitted stories, some have spent most of their lives here.

“I’ve moved around a little bit in my life, and I’ve seen various clubs, but not that many have members who stick around for decades like they do here,” Chris added.

If you flick through the pages of Priory’s centenary edition, you will find recovered images and touching pieces, all telling a story and transporting the reader to simpler times.

Members have presented some of their favourite pictures, depicting them as youngsters as they journey through the sport of tennis.

“There were so many photos, and I wasn’t familiar with all the names. I ended up emailing round some of the committee members because I wanted to put names to faces.

“95% of the photos in the book have names attached. We’re hoping the wider community may recognise some people and help us fill in the blanks,” Nick said.

Both entering the tennis world as children, Nick and Chris admit that it’s a sport that’s impossible to put down. With world stars dominating the international scene, it’s an ideal time to get involved in the sport.

“I watched Wimbledon when I was 5 years old and have been hooked ever since. I started hitting balls against the brick wall and it all developed from there. I’ve been a member of Priory since 1991.

“When I look back, the friends I’ve made over the last 30 years are what make the sport for me. When you first start in a sport you never expect to make the friends that you do,” Priory’s chairman shared.

For Chris, his passion began when he was a child and continued to consume his life.

“I picked up my first racquet when I was a kid and it just seemed to stick. I played before school, after school and even during school hours.

“It’s a sport that you can’t put down. If you stop playing, you’re itching to get back on court,” he said.

Both athletes say they would encourage others to pick up the sport. With a variety of ability and ages, there is a place for everyone at Priory.

Carve your name into the club’s future history, pick up a tennis ball and it may just become your new favourite sport.

Find out more on Priory Tennis Club here.

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