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No Hassle for Grove
up the courts. “Tennis
has been very good to
me” refl ects Hassell, “it
has allowed a poor, not
terribly talented boy
from Essex to see the
world and play against
Wimbledon champions-
I think it’s fair to say I
made the most of my
potential! Now I’m just
trying to give a little bit
back.”
Competition for the
fi rst Hassell Cup was
fi erce- a worthy tribute
to the old fox. After
battling through the
round robin and a
semi-fi nals, Grove
Charles Hassell hands the trophy to tournament
pair Trisha Esplin and
winners Esplin and Bowen.
Jane Bowen reached
the fi nal against
Cambridge pair, Federica Morgan and
The inaugural Ladies Doubles, Hassell
Rebecca Smith. This was a chance for
Cup was run over the weekend at The
the home-grown pair, both coached in
Grove Tennis Club. 11 pairs pitched
their early tennis careers by Hassell, to
up, from a range of Cambs clubs- to
gain revenge against the only pair that
honour octogenarian Charles Hassell,
had beaten them in the earlier rounds.
who continues to occasionally step on
court to coach the ladies at The Grove.
Hassell has been a great servant to
The home pair stormed off to a
Cambridgeshire tennis for over 50
substantial 5-0 lead, deploying the
years, and has coached some of the
lob to great effect in the gusting
county’s best players.
conditions and driving the ball deep.
The Cambridge pair then rallied hard-
winning the next 2 games . But they
“I have mixed feelings about all of
were only to be consolation games
this” commented the self-deprecating
and the Grove pair grabbed the fi nal
Hassell, “clearly I am really fl attered
and touched by the actions of the club: game to the delight of Hassell, who
took the opportunity to steal a couple
introducing a tournament in my name.
of kisses as he handed over the trophy.
But normally this sort of thing is done
when you are dead or have lost your
marbles! Actually, thinking about it,
Ladies Captain, Esplin, who organised
it’s really nice to know that the work
the tournament stated “we could
I have put into the club over the years
not have wished for a more perfect
has been appreciated.”
start to what I hope will be an annual
highlight of the tennis season , here at
The Grove . We look forward to many
Hassell fi rst joined The Grove in 1959,
more great competitions and I’d like
and went on to win Cambs. County
to thank everyone who participated
singles in 1964, 1973 and 1974. He
in making it such an enjoyable,
was a cerebral player with a wicked
memorable day .”
sliced left-handed serve. “I was never
good enough to ‘hit’ players off the
court” Hassell explained, “so I had to
Hassell put things into perspective
bore them into submission!”
with his thank you speech; explaining
that “It’s about time I hung up my
racket- I have been around for so long
Ironically Hassell’s best tennis days
that when I think back to my very fi rst
came in the twilight of his career:
fi nal, I realise I played against an older
being picked to travel the world and
guy- who had won his fi rst tournament
play for GB in veterans tennis, having
during the reign of Queen Victoria!”
won the National over 55’s in ‘88; the
over 60’s in ‘90 and ‘91 and the over
70’s in 2000.
Charles Hassell:
Now, at 86, he has reluctantly zipped
up his racket case for the last time,
but he continues to be a constant
down at The Grove- encouraging the
youngsters, making the tea and tidying
Saffron Walden Crank Up 2017
The Saffron Walden Crank Up is a
steam and vintage vehicle show.
From the 1970s until the early
2000s, enthusiasts used to fl ock to
Saffron Walden to the popular events
organised by Paul Engelmann at his
Shire Hill home.
In 2015 the East Anglian Traction
Engine Society, with Paul’s permission,
revived the Crank Up on a new site.
This has proved to be very popular
with enthusiasts and public alike, so
the Society is holding the event for the
third time this year. The dates are 13th
& 14th May, 10.00am to 5.00pm.
The event will take place adjacent to
“Just Like Wendy’s”, Sparrows End,
Newport, Saffron Walden CB11 3TU,
just off the B1052 near its junction
with the B1383. The event will be AA
signposted.
The Crank-Up was always well
regarded for its friendly, relaxed
atmosphere and the large variety in
exhibits, and this event carries on that
tradition. A number of exhibits have
already promised to attend, including
huge steam traction engines, miniature
engines, vintage vehicles and tractors,
stationary engines, bygones and a
host of other attractions. As well
as traditional music provided by
fairground organs there will be a live
band performing all weekend.
There will also be a beer tent, hot
and cold refreshments, traditional
children’s funfair, craft tents and trade
stands.
With admission at just £5 per adult,
and children under 16 FREE, this will
be a truly enjoyable event for all the
family.
For further details, visit the website
– www.swcrankup.co.uk, or contact
John Hunt on 07882 175438, email
[email protected].
one of Saffron Walden’s great unsung
heroes.
P le a s e m e n t i o n ‘ T h e F l yer ’ wh en r esp o n d in g t o ad ver t isements
T H E FLY E R | M AY 2 0 1 7
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