Please kindly sponsor Chasing Britain, a Real Tennis challenge to play a game at all 23 Real Tennis clubs in Britain during the week 13th-18th September 2009, over 6 days. The challenge has been devised by my three sons (all in their 20’s) and I, all keen Real Tennis players and members of Friends of Hardwick Tennis Court at Whitchurch-on-Thames and will raise money for The Multiple Sclerosis Society.

 

Real Tennis is so-called to distinguish the game from the modern game of Lawn Tennis which was not devised until 1874. Real Tennis probably began in the 13^th century in France, played initially with bare hands, later with the glove-‘Jeu de Paume’- and finally the racquet. It was popular among the clergy and nobility and the modern rules of Real Tennis remain much the same as those first laid down in 1599. Henry V111, who built the court at Hampton Court, was an accomplished player. It is played with a ball of cloth on large indoor courts with galleries and side netting below. Imagine a game that combines the skills of tennis, squash and chess! Many courts are now lost, but notably Merton College, Oxford and Hampton Court remain in modern usage. There have been revivals in court building in the late 19^th century and in recent years. It is played internationally in the United Kingdom, Australia, the USA and France.

 

The Multiple Sclerosis Society is the largest charity raising money for Multiple Sclerosis, the most common disabling neurological disorder among young adults and it affects around 85,000 people in the UK. The Society invests in innovative research and also provides respite care, a helpline, individual patient grants, education and training, and specialist MS nurses.

 

We are hoping to raise somewhere in excess of £5000 and all expenses will be met by ourselves.

 

This is a truly worthy charity and a real challenge. So please dig deep and donate now.

 

If you would prefer to send a cheque, please make it payable to The Multiple Sclerosis Society and send it to: Chasing Britain, Chestertons, Burnt Hill, Yattendon, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 0XD

 

Thank you!

Current Itinerary:

SUNDAY 13TH
Falkland Palace 12 noon
Jesmond Dene 6:00pm
 

MONDAY 14TH
Manchester 8:00am
Leamington 1:00pm
Moreton Morrell 3:00pm
Cambridge
(green court) 8:00pm

TUESDAY 15TH
Newmarket 8:30am
Prested 12 noon
Hatfield House 3:00pm
Burroughs 6:00pm
 
WEDNESDAY 16TH
MCC 9:00am
Queens (West) 12 noon
Hampton Court 4:00pm
Petworth 8:15pm
 
THURSDAY 17TH
Seacourt 9:00am
Canford 1:00pm
Hyde 4:30pm
Bristol 8:00pm
 
FRIDAY 18TH
Radley 9:00am
Merton (Oxford) 11:15am
Holyport 2:00pm
Oratory 4:00pm
Hardwick 6:00pm