Gravesham Tennis Club's home grown players emerged with immense credit in the club's annual LTA Grade 4 Ranking Junior Open Tournament which attracted players from all over Kent and South London.

Sam Hadden [Northfleet] defeated Dominic Pender [Gravesend] by 6-3, 6-4 in the boys 18 and under event in a high quality match played almost throughout in heavy rain. Charlotte Bonner [Gravesend] won both the girls premier event and, accompanied by Alex Batchelor [Maidstone], the mixed doubles championship, for the second successive year.

The high quality of the tennis shown in these victories was much in evidence elsewhere throughout the week, not least in the performances of Great Britain squad member Boris Ibanyuzhenkov [West London], who won the boys 12 and under event and Louie Lloid-Li [Bexley] and Siemon Thomas [Sandwich] who were both outstanding in winning the boys 16 and 14 boys singles events respectively.

One of Gravesham Tennis Club's most dedicated members has become the longest serving tennis club competitor in Kent.  Alan Tuffee, pictured, who has just celebrated his eightieth birthday, has, since 1947, continuously represented clubs in the Gravesend area in matches and competitions.

From 1947 until 1976 Alan was a member of the Glenwood Club, which had four grass courts - still his favourite surface - for which the annual subscription was three guineas [£3.15].  Alan met his wife Jan at this club and married in 1954. Alan and Jan played at Glenwood and subsequently at other clubs in the area before they moved to Gravesham from the Fleetway club just over 20 years ago. Throughout much of this time, Alan also worked on behalf of these clubs, notably as Treasurer, and even until very recently, he acted as the Gravesham club's auditor of accounts. He still attends North Kent League fixture meetings to organise matches for his team and is renowned for his meticulous attention to detail as an organiser.