I first started playing tennis at around age 11 at Knowle Tennis Club conveniently located next to the cricket ground where a lot of young lads just happened to be learning to play cricket! Little did I know that nearly 50 years on I would be playing again within a stones throw of a cricket club, this time Frenchay. I …

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More than one hundred people attended the Village Open Evening on Tuesday evening in Frenchay Primary School. The event was organised by the Residents Association with the aim of providing an informal forum to meet members of other groups and discuss future plans for Frenchay. Many of the groups were also looking to …

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In August I signed up for Women’s internal doubles competition at Downend & Frenchay Tennis Club. I was very nervous but also excited - everyone is super friendly but my constant concern is I won’t be ‘good enough’ and will let down my partner. Milo and Emily had organized the competition to …

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My tennis journey I started playing tennis 5 years ago when I was asked to join a beginners group by a friend. It was an hour a week, on a Sunday, and meant that I escaped the preparation for the school week and bath-time! I really enjoyed it and when the club moved to their new location decided that I would continue …

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First Day by Lesley The minibus collected eleven DFTC members from the Bristol Golf Centre at 9.30am. We chatted and laughed to our first comfort stop and then chatted and drank prosecco to the second stop where we had our packed lunches. We were having so much fun the driver had to remind us that there was still a …

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Last year DFTC members were sharing with me, while we were playing tennis, their yearnings to get away and have fun. They were suggesting group visits to spa weekends and tennis retreats. So it was decided to see if any of the tennis women fancied a trip to The 2022 Rothesay International Eastbourne Tennis Tournament …

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I joined Downend and Frenchay tennis club 4 years ago when I moved to Bristol from North Devon. I didn’t know many people when I first arrived in the city so, having played tennis when I was younger, I decided to join a tennis club. I was a bit apprehensive as I wasn’t sure if the club would be as enjoyable …

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Skiing Holiday in March 2022 This winter marked the first Tennis Club ski trip to France, which is hoped will become an annual event, organised by club member Chris Horne. I was lucky enough to be able to go, along with 8 other DFTC club members. We spent a week in Tignes enjoying the skiing, beautiful sunshine and of …

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My daughter was around 3-4 years old when she showed an interest in tennis, so off I went on a little internet search to try to find local tennis sessions for her. I came across Downend and Frenchay Tennis Club who arranged for her to have a trial. The rest, as they say, is history, She is now 10 years old, completely …

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Are you struggling with your Mental Health? Try Tennis!! Joining Downend and Frenchay Tennis Club (DFTC) 3 years ago, just as I retired from NHS work has been transformative especially during the Covid pandemisc. I played tennis as a child but hadn’t picked up a racket for almost 35 years, when a course run by a DFTC …

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