Paralympian Rachel Morris OBE was guest of honour at the formal opening of Badshot Lea Tennis Club’s floodlights and new accessible facilities.

The event was attended by many club members, supporters of the recent fundraising campaign and local councillors including Mark Merryweather and Catherine Powell.

Other local representatives included David Gill, the chairman of Farnham Sports Council, and Brian Grieg from Surrey Playing Fields.

Tennis club chair Gillian Hyman welcomed everyone and thanked all for their support and hard work over the past few years in achieving the club’s vision of floodlights and accessible facilities.

Rachel Morris thanked the club for becoming accessible and inclusive while this generally remains a problem in sport.

Farnham town mayor Cllr Alan Earwaker congratulated Gillian and the club on an excellent job in improving facilities for the local community and presented a funding grant on behalf of Farnham Town Council.

Gillian was presented with a wonderful bouquet from members in recognition of her hard work in recent years to enable the vision to become reality.

The guests then enjoyed a barbecue and refreshments – a great time for socialising and exchanging ideas for future club events.

The club also thanked the Herald for publicising the club’s activities, fundraising events and the upcoming free LTA tennis weekends for new players.

Do you play tennis, live in the village or would like to learn?

The tennis club are in Badshot Lea behind The Green and they welcome new members. See their website for details at www.badshotleatennisclub.org.uk