Farm Walk LTCLilla Brown was our much loved coach at Farm Walk until her retirement in October 2017. She is still playing competitive tennis for Middlesex and is playing this season for the 70 + team. She followed a tradition of
illustrious coaches at Farm Walk. Some of you will remember Sally Freeman who no longer plays for Great Britain but plays for Dorset County and her Club. She was followed by Jackie Boothman and Ellie Krocke who shared the role for a few years. Jackie is now the Captain of the British over 80’s Team and Ellie plays for Holland Veterans. The motto – tennis is good for you. Keep playing and carry on!
Many of you may be interested in what Lilla has been up to since retiring from Farm Walk. In her own words:
‘I had many happy years at Farm Walk and my decision to retire in 2017 was prompted by my daughter, Holly and family, who live in Lewisham, asking for help with my two grandchildren, Isaac then 10 and Anna then 6. Both parents were working full time and Holly was also studying for a masters in counselling. My duties included ferrying and feeding the children and converting the garden into an organic vegetable plot to feed the family – that was a losing battle until I decided the slugs and snails needed a holiday in the local park! Tennis still played a large part in my life, I wasn’t, and am still not, ready to hang up my racket. Luckily I discovered Catford Wanderer’s, a friendly local tennis club. They were very welcoming and included me both socially and in matches. The North Kent LTA covers a huge area and I was soon travelling to a variety of Clubs and meeting interesting new people. Very challenging though!
I have kept up my membership of Brampton in Hendon and play winter and summer league matches for them. It is always good to catch up with old friends both at Brampton and Farm Walk. I have enjoyed catch ups with Farm Walk friends and hope we can do so again over the summer. Eventually, I was able to buy a longed for first camper van and initially, between lockdowns, camped in Kent to gain experience and then took a 2 week solo trip up to Scotland – truly wonderful! I am already planning my next trip – possibly to north Northumberland which definitely deserves a return visit. The summer tennis season will soon be up
and running so good luck to Farm Walk and all the teams.’