Beaverbrook Foundation to fund community tennis court resurfacing
18th July 2019
The Beaverbrook Foundation have announced they will donate £80,000 to complete the re-surfacing of the popular community tennis courts in Northwood Park, Cowes.
The six courts were originally built in 1930 in the centre of 23-acre Northwood Park. However, the courts had fallen into a serious state of disrepair and faced closure this year. Northwood House Charitable Trust, who took ownership of the courts in 2010, formed a committee of dedicated tennis supporters known as ‘Tennis in the Park.’ Over the last 18 months the group have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and secure funding to save the courts.
Earlier this year, with major support from Wight Shipyard, a new fence was installed, transforming the site. Donations from local people and Cowes Town Council funding have ensured tennis is still played.
The next challenge, to secure the long-term future of the courts, is to restore the playing surface, which has degraded significantly over the last few years.
Recognising the serious cost implications of resurfacing, the Beaverbrook Foundation is providing the funding to allow the six courts to be rejuvenated later this year.
Laura Levi, trustee of Beaverbrook Foundation said, “These courts represent an opportunity to give local children the chance to play sport for free. It continues my late father’s tradition of charitable giving to small groups, that can make a big difference”.
The courts offer a community facility, where everyone can come and play tennis. Coaching and equipment are available, with free Try Tennis sessions on Saturdays.
Note to Editors: Additional photographs can be made available.
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Note to Editors: Additional photographs can be made available.
About Northwood House
Northwood House is an iconic grade II* listed Georgian manor house set in beautiful Northwood Park in the heart of Cowes.
The Estate has a rich history of hosting events and celebrations of all kinds. Purchased in 1793 by George Ward, a successful London merchant, the House was rebuilt and extensively decorated by his son, George Henry Ward. Many lavish parties were thrown by the Wards throughout the Victorian era when the Island was a popular destination for the Royal family.
The house was gifted to Cowes Urban District Council in 1929. In 2012 Northwood House Charitable Trust Co. Ltd was established to ensure the maintenance and development of the estate for the continued benefit of the residents and visitors to Cowes.
About the Beaverbrook Foundation
Established by the first Lord Beaverbrook in 1954, the Beaverbrook Foundation is a UK registered charity dedicated to supporting good causes. Over 870 charitable organisations have received grants over the last 60 years.
The Foundation is the home of The Beaverbrook Library, an important archive of private papers, currently held in the Parliamentary Archive. The Foundation also has a collection of over 8,000 historic twentieth century British political cartoons, and an extensive library and art collection.
One of the areas that the Foundation has increasingly concentrated on has been supporting small charitable projects; recognising that it is often more difficult to raise a few thousand to refurbish a church hall than it is to raise millions for a major public building. It is often the small donations to the small charities that make a big difference.