Bench views, chat, debate and discussion on Minehead Tennis Club bench, West Somerset, UK

Today's bench is at Minehead Tennis Club, West Somerset, UK which I hereby declare open for views, chat, debate and discussion and the topic is 'Tennis Practice Walls'.

Riveting you might say! Why should I be interested in tennis club practice walls? Ah, ha! I will tell you :-)

Firstly, tennis is a great game. It gets you out in the sunshine (er, also rain) and fresh air. You get to meet lots of interesting people. Minehead Tennis Club has members from all social backgrounds ranging from Barristers to Painters and Decorators.

Secondly, it is cheap. You get a year of playing tennis with lots of cheerful people for one hundred and twenty pounds for an adult, less for youngsters.

Thirdly, it keeps you fit and healthy in a really fun way. Keeping fit means you keep cheerful and keeping cheerful stops us all getting depressed. When I'm feeling fed up, I just go and hit some balls against the practice wall. (A gorgeous young female would be a great alternative, of course, but - hey - I'm old and balding and married).

So you say, what has this got to do with a tennis practice wall? Well, the answer is that once you are a member of the tennis club, you can practice against the wall for hours and hours to learn how to hit the ball correctly and improve - all for no extra cost.

The wall at Minehead Tennis Club is the green thing at the end of the fencing.

Naturally, the club pro would like it if you paid for private lessons but, hey, I'm a skinflint! Aren't you?

According to a TV commentator I overheard during the US Open at Flushing Meadows, tennis practice walls are found less and less in clubs and part of the reason is that they reduce the income for the local tennis pro.

Minehead Tennis Club has not followed this trend! Woohoo! It's your opportunity to get down to the courts just off Alexander Road in Minehead and get stuck in for the next Olympics.

What? You are not a member?

For membership information, call Paul Rees at his Minehead address. He's Chairman of Minehead Tennis Club this year and ask about tennis practice walls.

Bye for now

Rob

Rob Hopcott - online author and tennis practice wall fan