Surbiton Methodist Church Tennis Club has existed since before WW1, when grass courts in Alexandra Drive were rented from the council.  When the membership increased in the 1930s the club had become a large and popular part of church life with Saturday teas and matches against other clubs.

 

Teas were the highlight of Saturday afternoon and members stayed on playing tennis until 9.00pm.  The sandwiches and scones stopped several years ago, but we still have cake!  In 1936 the subscription was 2/6p (12p in decimal money).

​

The club acquired its present grounds consisting of courts 1-4 when the lease came up for sale in 1943.  Members of the club acting as trustees bought this land and gifted it to the church, purchasing more land in 1948 which we now call courts 5 and 6.  This area was previously allotments under wartime requisition.  Gradually all the courts were converted from grass to shale.  The present pavilion was opened in 1965 – it cost £2,700.  By 1982 the club started to convert all the courts to asphalt, and since then members have been able to play all year round on this all-weather surface.  The club is so grateful to have such a fantastic facility and wants to share it with others.