Linslade Tennis Club's Happy Return: ‘It’s been ace to get back into action once again’

With society tentatively opening up in line with the Government’s roadmap out of the pandemic, the Leighton Buzzard Observer wants to be with our readers every step of the way.

We want to hear your positive stories about how you/your family, your business, your club/society or maybe your sports team is re-emerging from the restrictions which have made the past year so challenging. See details at the end of this article for more details on getting involved.

Here Linslade Tennis Club tells its story after returning to action...

“The annual Easter tennis camps were a great way to get the tennis season going again. Linslade Tennis Club held two mini tennis and two junior camps over the Easter fortnight and each camp was full to capacity.

"60 children from the local area were able to take part, for some it was a welcome return to tennis and for others it was the first time they had taken part in this sport. The changing weather did not stop play – from glorious sunshine to snow and rain!

“Although tennis has not been taking part for most people over the last few months, it has been allowed at Linslade as part of the disability sport programme and head coach Sara Bamford has been coaching several local residents on a weekly basis.

“As tennis returns we look forward to the weekly junior coaching sessions starting in April and the summer tennis camps in the school holidays.

“The club participates in the national Pay and Play scheme launched by LTA Rally. This allows non members to book a local tennis court for a game. We have had an encouraging start to this with many people taking up the opportunity.

“All new members are welcome, both Adult and Junior, and details can be found on the tennis club website along with information on the Pay and Play scheme if you just fancy a game!

> Why not get involved in the Leighton Buzzard Observer’s Happy Returns feature? We’d be delighted to hear details of how businesses and the community are emerging from the restrictions of the pandemic.

It might be news of a business relaunching, your youth sports team resuming its matches, how your school is coping with the ongoing challenges, how your club or society is ditching Zoom and is looking to meet face-to-face again, a family reunion or celebration which can finally go ahead, or the many other examples of events and activities we all took for granted slowly returning.

This is a great chance to tell your story over the coming weeks and months ahead. Submit 100-300 words to this newspaper on how the pandemic has had an impact, how you’ve kept going and most importantly news of your ‘Happy Return’ when it’s deemed safe.

We’d also love to receive photos of those joyful reunions/reopenings. Please send all details to [email protected]Here’s a handy reminder of the roadmap steps.

> From April 12, non-essential retail, hairdressers and public buildings opened. Outdoor settings like alcohol takeaways, beer gardens, zoos and theme parks began welcoming visitors. Indoor leisure like swimming pools and gyms opened. Funerals continue with up to 30 people, and weddings up to 15 guests.

> From May 17, ‘rule of six’ abolished for outdoor gatherings and replaced with a limit of 30 people. Two households can mix indoors – with the rule of six applied in hospitality settings like pubs. Cinemas, hotels, performances and sporting events can reopen. Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions, funerals and wakes.

> From June 21, all legal limits on social contact is intended to be removed, with the final closed sectors of the economy reopened.