Game, Set and Match to Edna! by Edna Smith
May 9, 2011
My love of the tennis ball began at a very early age. My father's farm had a large barn and endless hours were spent hitting a ball against it.
I played whilst a pupil at Dr Challoner's Grammar (mixed school then) and, later on, sometimes on the court adjoining the old Sycamore Hall. I joined the Chesham Bois Tennis Club which had three grass courts at the top of Hervines Road (three hard courts came later but I much preferred grass). This club was to give me so much more happiness, friendship and delight (exercise too) than I could have dreamed.
The dress code was definitely all white – rather more mundane than that of today – Fred Perry shirts, ditto skirts and plimsolls. The last were whitened by a Blanco chalk (is it still sold?) This entailed drying them; when one just walked, a cloud and little pieces of chalk would leave their mark. Tennis rackets had the wooden frames. I still remember that day – years later – when I acquired the now universal graphite type.
Practice at every opportunity, club play and the joy of competitions eventually led to the thrilling day when I was chosen to play for the club. The ultimate, however, was playing in the top league of the Bucks Shield. Every point mattered – relegation was unthinkable – as some clubs were extra strong with Wimbledon members. Tie-breaks had not come in, so often each pair could play nine long sets.
Ladies and Mixed Doubles were my favourites. I longed to be the spectacular net player leaping across the net to intercept. Alas, my game was placing, consistency and retrieving. Despite some success in Club events, my form was always better when playing for the Club than for myself.
These were memorable times. I was made Ladies' Captain – an honour appreciated and enjoyed. There were Gala Days at other clubs, Dr Barnado's Annual Tournament and exciting visits to Wimbledon to see British men and women advance to the final.
In June 1955, Jim (a Civil Engineer) was asked to go to Persia (Iran). Our wedding was hastily arranged a fortnight later at the old Free Church. He then left and I joined him one month later (having played the Ladies Doubles Final and lost!). “Are my tennis days over?” I asked myself. Far from it; it meant instead, fourteen years abroad playing with many nationalities. We were in Tehran for two years and amongst my classes at the British Council was one of Persian Doctors. They had me playing at crack of dawn: bliss to have little ball-boys. Uganda followed for four years. The Kampala Club was popular and hosted the Ugandan Championships which attracted some Wimbledon players. (I entered the Doubles – not very successfully.)
Vietnam followed immediately. The Saigon Club had a huge membership. It was troubled times but sport was a form of respite. I was spoilt by being one of only two women. Two years later, it was a hurried exit for me with our adopted Vietnamese small daughter (2 hours notice). The government in Saigon capitulated to the advancing forces from Hanoi.
Brunei was next, for four years, with Qatar and Jordan later for short tours, then life abroad ended.
Just in case readers think it was a 'tennis butterfly' existence, this was far from reality. Tennis was a small part of a different story. Wherever I was, I always managed to find a Church of some denomination.
Finally back home, it was renewed membership of the Club until Anno Domini intervened; tennis was finished and the Amersham Bowls Club beckoned.
Edna Smith
June 2008