Collection TEN - Polytechnic Lawn Tennis Club

The Hanover Lawn Tennis Club had its first meeting on 24 April 1882 with A. J. Beavan elected Hon. Secretary and E Ravani elected captain. By 1884 AH Thorne was writing to the Magazine to complain about the practice of Poly members trying to take part on both cricket and lawn tennis matches simultaneously. By May 1885, the Club had become the Lawn Tennis Section of the Hanover United Athletic Club, thereafter the Polytechnic Athletic Club. A Ladies Club was formed by at least 1893 and the sport was also played in the Girls School. Lawn Tennis was played at Merton Hall and also at Paddington, later moving to Chiswick.

During World War 1, the club ceased its activities as the Chsiwick ground was given over to wartime activities. It re-started in May 1919 although they were still waiting for the courts at Chiswick to become playable again. They built up their numbers again and continued to play during World war 2, until 1941 and resumed in 1946. Mrs Ethel Wood served as the club's president after the Second World War.