A year to the day since the generous bequest to the club from the late Ronnie Ray, Fishbourne Tennis Club is pleased and proud to say that the new bench in his memory is well and truly open for backsides! The ribbon was cut during Finals Day on 3 September 2016 by FTC Chairman David Lord.

A plaque on the bench reads: “Presented by and in memory of Ronnie Ray and his tireless contribution to Fishbourne Tennis Club”.

First to try the bench, which is the world’s largest, were FTC founder members Joan and Ron Gawen (top picture below) before the entire  club membership joined them (bottom picture). A world record attempt on the most people ever to sit on the Ronnie Ray memorial bench may follow soon…

David Lord said: “It was very generous of Ronnie to make the club this bequest and I am sure he would have approved of how we have decided to honour his name at the cub that he did so much for.”

The bench will shortly be permanently fixed in position, providing members with a new grandstand view of the tennis action.

Photography by Nikki Holden