Sequence  of  Events

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6th June 1972     The Inaugural Meeting

The Inaugural Meeting of the Summerway Junior Lawn Tennis Club was held at the Heavitree Social Centre.

The Partnership Established

between Local Government, which licensed the use of the courts and pavilion, and the Club, which was responsible for the practical administration and services to the children.

27th September 1972     The Signing of the Licence

The Licence, copies of which had been previously signed by the Chairman and the Secretary of the Club, was signed by K R Dent for the Town Clerk, A E Bennett.

7th November 1973     The First Annual General Meeting

The First AGM was held at Bishop Blackall School, and was attended by thirty parents and two members.  The Club was full at 67 playing members, having been so since early summer, and the waiting list stood at 23 on 10th September.

7th October 1972     The Licence becomes Operative

The Licence came into operation, so at this point it could be said that the Club legally commenced its activities.

19th May 1973     The Official Opening of the Club

Mr Peter Page, the City Council’s Adviser on Physical Education, officially opened the Club.  The President and Secretary, Mr Rowsell and Mr Weaver respectively, of the Devon LTA were in attendance.

The Partnership Continued

as the Landlord changed from Exeter City Council to Devon County Council

1st April 1974     Change of Landlord

With Local Government Reorganisation, ownership of the premises licensed by the Club passed from Exeter City Council to Devon County Council, along with the school and its playing field.  As far as Jim is aware, the transfer occurred perfectly smoothly without any attempt being made to adjust the terms of the licence.

The Partnership Reinforced

as the Landlord, Devon County Council, granted a 28-year lease of the premises to the Club at a peppercorn rent, including maintenance of the pavilion by the Landlord.  This gave the Club the security it needed to flourish.

1st April 1978     Granting of the 28-year Lease

The Club had proved its value to the children and the Community by this time, and granting this lease in due recognition was sensible and forward-looking.  This was especially notable because the licence was not due to expire until October 1979.

23rd October 1995     1st LTA Exeter Summerway Open

An Autumn half-term Open Junior Tennis Tournament had been staged at the Club for many years previously, but this was the first time it had received LTA Officially sanctioned status.  Ten singles events were offered, with trophies and prizes.

1st December 1997     Ace Magazine features Summerway

Ace Magazine wanted to do a feature on Juniors-only Tennis Clubs, and initial Ace reaction to Summerway’s inclusion wasn’t very promising.  However, when the Club’s activities and achievements were examined more closely, Summerway was picked out as one of the best Juniors-only Clubs in the UK.  Holly Park Junior, Exeter (Summerway) Junior and Hill Lane Junior were the three featured in the December 1997 edition of Ace Magazine.  Four other clubs were listed.

1999

2006

2007

Most Recent

11th May 1999     Plans for Expansion lodged with DCC

Following many years of bursting at the seams with a long waiting list, a document presenting the case for expansion of the Club premises was lodged with DCC and widely distributed.  It had become known that the former Summerway Middle School was due to move from the site, allowing new plans for its playing field.  To allocate part of the field specifically for the continued use of children seemed right.

Local Government misses

a Marvellous Opportunity

when the Exeter Committee of DCC buried the Club’s plans.  There was the opportunity for a development of the order of £120,000 largely funded by Sport England, and the Council failed to respond positively. All that was required was the granting of a lease covering the land required for a sufficient period of time, conditional upon the Club obtaining funding and planning permission.  Both were extremely promising, but Local Government prevented it from being put to the test. This seems a very bad deal for Club, children, Community and taxpayers.

9th December 1999     DCC bury the Club’s Plans for Expansion

A report by the DCC Director of Education Arts and Libraries was accepted by the Exeter Committee of DCC.  Without any personal consultation with the Club, the Director recommended that the proposals be considered when estimates on the new developments and the land values were confirmed, and that the relocation of the Club should be considered within the new school development or on the secondary school site.  Relocation was considered the better option, with the first reason offered being to “gain maximum value from the present site”.

19th June 2000     Club Responds to RQA Leisure Survey for ECC

Exeter City Council commissioned RQA Ltd to undertake consultations on behalf of the Council which was producing a Leisure Strategy.  The Club cooperated fully and submitted a completed questionnaire.  This flagged up the Club’s main activity as being to provide opportunities for “Affordable Tennis for Juniors (8-18)”. Other points emphasised were the Club’s Voluntary basis, it was at maximum capacity and unable to develop, its large number of associated individuals, its attempts to provide for the disabled, and Exeter’s need for a significant Tennis Centre.

19th July 2000     Exeter Local Plan First Review: Deposit Draft

A Joint Meeting of the Economy and Tourism and Development Control Committees of the Exeter City Council, due to be held in Committee Room ‘B’ of the Civic Centre, was observed by Jim.  John Rigby (Strategic Director Economy and Development) presented the report for consideration, and the consultation procedures and timetable seemed ample and reasonable.  There were three submissions relating to Table 4: Summerway School which were made by DCC (Resources Directorate), M Baker (Property Services) Ltd, and the Club.  ECC’s response to each of these submissions was noted, and seemed appropriate.

Local Government Lease

Terms indicate Withdrawal

from The Partnership

After nearly seven years of procrastination regarding the terms for a new or extended lease, the terms which ultimately emerged indicated Local Government’s unwillingness to sustain their share of the Partnership. The burden of its share was to be shifted on to the shoulders of the volunteers, which is a complete no-no.  Local Government withdrawal speaks volumes about its attitude to the less affluent in society, especially as its contribution to the Partnership was less that 10% of the joint value to the community.

1st April 2006     New Terms Received after the Lease has Expired

The letter from DCC offering new terms arrived with a letter from ECC indicating the terms were agreed by the two Councils, with ECC having the greater influence. The letters were dated 29th and 30th March, but as they had been sent by second class post, they didn’t arrive until after the 1978-2006 lease had expired.  As far as the Club was concerned, the terms on offer were totally unrealistic.

2nd December 2006     34th AGM considers Draft Heads of Terms

The Draft Heads of Terms presented to the Club by the ECC Leisure Manager and the ECC Parks and Open Spaces Manager were examined by the AGM, together with their implications for the Club as laid out in The Burden.  The 37 members present were not optimistic, and it was resolved to hold a Special General Meeting on 20th January 2007 to consider necessary resolutions regarding the way forward.

Club Constructively Evicted

After licensing and leasing the courts and pavilion for over 34 years of invaluable service to the children and their families, the Club was forced to vacate the site due to the totally unrealistic and inappropriate financial burden being placed upon it by Local Government, and the burden caused by the very high incidence of vandalism.  No doubt, Local Government considered itself justified in asking for such sums, but even the most meagre appreciation of the Club’s ethos and circumstances would have indicated that the only logical option for the Club was to vacate.  The pressure applied by Local Government, whether deliberate or in ignorance, left the Club with no other choice than to leave the Summerway site and become homeless.

26th February 2007     Summerway Premises handed back to DCC

While the keys were handed back to an Officer of the DCC, it was the hard-hearted and unsympathetic attitude of the ECC which caused the Constructive Eviction. When this attitude is contrasted with the support given for high profile projects which benefit those who can afford to buy their leisure, Local Government should hang its head in shame at its treatment of a community facility affordable to all.

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13th April 2007     Ben Bradshaw MP uncovers ECC Involvement

Because so much about Local Government occurs behind closed doors, whether DCC’s decision to bury the Club’s expansion plans in December 1999 was their decision alone has remained a mystery.  Light has been thrown on this matter at last following DCC and ECC responses to Ben’s enquiry about the fate of the plans. Evidence now indicates ECC influence was a major contributing factor behind the perverse decision of the Exeter Committee of DCC all those years ago.

31st January 2007     Open Letter to Councillors - Loss of Premises

Jim sent an Open Letter/Email of protest as a citizen of Exeter and Devon to all DCC and ECC Councillors and also Officers with known interest.  The protest related to the ‘Constructive Eviction’ of the Club from its traditional premises, and listed a number of serious concerns regarding Local Government.

31st January 2007     ECC Leisure Manager Responds to Letter

Ian Cowe sent out an almost immediate and widely circulated response to the Open Letter purporting to inform Councillors as to “what has gone on”.  Jim considered the email to be personally offensive, but bears no malice.  Also, many of the opinions and statements were highly questionable. Maybe Ian’s knee-jerk reaction wasn’t the best idea, and proper reflection more appropriate before responding.

6th February 2007     Thirteen Questions put to ECC Leisure Manager

After careful consideration of Ian Cowe’s email of 31st January, Jim replied with thirteen relevant questions which were put to Ian.  It would be unfair for anyone to read and believe Ian’s email without examining it carefully in the light of Jim’s critique.  The questions prompted by Ian’s document required valid answers.

7th February 2007     Follow-up to Open Letter Necessitated

It was a pity that this communication to all DCC and ECC Councillors was made necessary.  If the ECC Leisure Manager had allowed a day to elapse before trying to explain matters as he saw them, this email would not have been needed.  As it was, most Councillors would have received the Open Letter and Ian’s views at the same time, and could not be blamed if they failed to examine the Open Letter thinking that the whole issue was done and dusted as was suggested by Ian’s email.

8th February 2007     Ian Cowe Refuses to Answer Questions or Deal

A rather strange email was received from the ECC Leisure Manager refusing to respond to the points in Jim’s email, and presumably indicating unwillingness (or inability) to tackle the questions.  This looks like a clear refusal to negotiate.  Careful consideration of the reason given presents the conundrum of trying to find a means of negotiation which does not involve words in one form or another.  The wish to drive a wedge between Jim and the Councillors, and Jim and his colleagues on the Summerway Committee, is unworthy.  See Jim’s comments on this email.

2nd May 2007     Summerway Site transferred from DCC to ECC

The land belonging to the County Council at Summerway was transferred to Exeter City Council in exchange for land belonging to the City Council adjacent to the St James & Willowbrook Schools, known as Northbrook Field.

9th May 2007     ECC notifies its Intention to Demolish the Pavilion

ECC’s Leisure Manager, still refusing to communicate with Jim, notified the Club Treasurer that the pavilion (clubhouse) was found to be in rather poor condition.  Passing over this alleged sad reflection on DCC’s maintenance of the pavilion for which it was responsible under the terms of the lease, the Treasurer was informed of ECC’s intention to demolish it as soon as suitable funds were identified and the necessary arrangements made.  The letter was passed to Jim on 16th May, and he was then able to make it available to the Committee and the Club by email.

18th May 2007     Open Letter to Ben Bradshaw MP re: Demolition

Jim sent an open letter to Ben concerning ECC’s proposed demolition of the pavilion, emphasising the lack of consultation and haste with which this was taking place.  Please don’t read too much into the party political observations, etc. as Jim is not into party politics, and has only made comment to give food for thought.

21st May 2007     ECC’s Director (Comm. & Envir.) Letter to MP

ECC’s Director of Community and Environment wrote to Ben Bradshaw MP to pre-empt Ben’s request for a response to the open letter.  Jim’s open letter was not intended to cover “the arrangements for the club’s future occupation of the site”, but to flag up the proposed demolition of the clubhouse and associated matters.

4th June 2007     Feeler Letters sent to some National Daily Papers

Jim sent feeler letters requesting serious investigative journalism to the Times, the Independent, the Guardian and the Telegraph.  The letters were confirmed to the first three of these dailies by email two days later.  Also on the 6th, letters were sent to the Daily Mail and Daily Express, which were confirmed by email on 8th June.

12th June 2007     Letter to Ben re: Director’s Letter of 21st May

Knowing that ECC were not dealing with Jim, Exeter’s MP had kindly offered to pass on any points relating to the letter sent to him by Hazel Ball, the ECC’s Director of Community and Environment.  Grateful to Ben for this service, Jim wrote an email on 7th June which was not sent until the 12th June for several practical reasons, when it was despatched in both email and letter format.

23rd June 2007     Discovery: Devon LTA backing ECC and not Club

Receipt of documents requested under the Freedom of Information Act was acknowledged with thanks to ECC.  Amongst the documents was an email exchange between the Chair of Devon LTA and the ECC Leisure Manager which has devastated negotiations between ECC and the Club. The Chair of Devon LTA, John Allen, has absolved ECC from all blame in the matter, and made disparaging remarks about Jim’s emails, motives and intentions.  Jim advised the Club’s President and Committee of this serious and unfortunate development, with copies to Ben Bradshaw, John Allen and Adrian Cable.

22nd May 2007     Freedom of Information Act - Request for Info

In order to understand what has been going on behind the scenes, a request to access information under the Freedom of Information Act was made by email.  Of particular interest were any Officers’ reports of meetings relating to Summerway.

25th June 2007     LTA Requested to make a Full Enquiry

Since receiving Jim’s email of 23rd June, John Allen MBE has informed Jim that the view stated was the official view of the Devon LTA.  Having considered this new development and its devastating effect on the Club’s negotiations with ECC over the weekend, Jim decided the proper course of action was to request a Full Enquiry into matters by the Lawn Tennis Association.  This request was made to Roger Draper, the LTA Chief Executive, by email.

28th June 2007     LTA to look into Issues Raised by the Request

An acknowledgement was received from Roger Draper to the effect that the LTA will enquire into the issues raised in Jim’s email of 25th June as a matter of urgency. The LTA Chief Executive was thanked by email for his response on 29th June.

PLEASE NOTE    It will not be appropriate to post items relating to the LTA enquiry on this website during the investigation.  Bulletins may be issued to the Summerway email groups if and when appropriate to keep the Club informed of the investigation’s progress.

31st March 2006     The 1978-2006 Lease Expires

Even though the Club had been requesting terms for a new or extended lease since May 1999, the 28-year lease expired without any offer from Local Government.

20th January 2007     SGM resolves to Vacate Premises

There were ten resolutions considered by the meeting, of which nine were carried, some with amendments.  The resolution to dissolve the Club was overwhelmingly defeated.  Instead, the Club continues in existence as a registered CASC without premises and in partial quiescence while it seeks re-establishment.  It was resolved to vacate the premises as carrying the proposed burden was not a realistic option.

17th July 2001     Club unable to respond positively to Sport England

Tamar Collis, Lottery Co-ordinator for the Sport England Lottery Fund, contacted the Club to enquire after the Intent to Apply Form and the Application Form which had not been returned.  This was accompanied by a ‘Lottery Application Pack Research’ Form, which was returned, duly completed, with a letter of explanation. This has been posted on this website as it painted an accurate picture of the time.

25th July 2000     Meeting with Cllr Midgley and Bob Acland

Jim met with Cllr Midgley (Chair of ECC Community Services Committee) and Bob Acland (Interim ECC Leisure Manager) at the Club to discuss its position relative to the Local Plan Review. Both expressed a wish to support the Club fully.

16th July 1999     Club’s Proposals go to ECC Local Plan Review

A ‘Key Principles & Proposals Consultation June 1999’ form was submitted to John Thompson (Principal Planner) for the Exeter Local Plan Review 1995-2011, together with a copy of the Club’s 11th May 1999 Plans for Expansion.  These were covered by a letter to Stephen Birkinshaw, who spoke with Jim extensively at the end of the Pinhoe and Whipton Community Forum held the previous evening. Receipt of these documents was acknowledged by John Thompson on 19th July. Copies were forwarded to Andy Hill (Development Control Officer) and Ian Cowe (Principal Parks & Recreation Officer).  Club will be kept informed of progress.

17th August 1999     Possibility of a Lottery Bid Investigated

Jim spent time on the phone with Jonathan Calderbank, the Regional Development Officer of the English Sports Council South West, regarding a possible Lottery Bid to fund Summerway’s plans for expansion.  Receiving encouragement, application was made for the pack giving details and containing a form for the Club to register Summerway’s interest.  The phone call was followed up with a letter and a copy of the Club’s 11th May 1999 development plans.

26th May 2000     Sport England updated regarding Lottery Bid

A letter was sent to Jonathan Calderbank as a matter of courtesy to keep Sport England aware that the Club still wished to make a bid for lottery funding, but was unable to obtain a decision from DCC regarding the extra land and the lease at the time.  This information was acknowledged by Jonathan in his reply dated 31st May, and he pointed out that it was not unusual for a scheme to take at least two years to develop into a satisfactory, viable project. He thanked us for keeping him informed, and expressed the hope that the outcomes would prove positive for the Club.

20th-21st June 2000     Lobby the ECC Councillors Meetings held

The Committee set up two meetings to coordinate the lobbying of Exeter City Councillors regarding the Local Plan Review and the Club’s plans for expansion. These were held concurrently with group coaching sessions for the families’ convenience, and each was attended by representatives of about twenty families. With forty of the families covered, the handouts from the meetings were either hand delivered or mailed to the rest.  There was concern that the playing field might be lost to housing development, and parents’ enthusiasm for the lobby was marked.

21st July 2000     Club Representatives meet with Ben Bradshaw MP

Four Summerway representatives, Peter, Sarah, Judith and Jim, met with Ben Bradshaw by appointment at Clifton Road, and were granted a generous amount of time to bring the Club’s concerns over the lack of progress to Ben’s notice.  Ben offered his support if the Club meets any significant block, and notifies him of it.

APOLOGIES    This particular page would be extremely helpful if it were up to date.  It would be quite easy to update it from our comprehensive records, but also rather time consuming.  Sadly, time is at a premium, and other tasks of higher priority or greater immediacy are delaying matters.  Hopefully, time will eventually be found to tackle this important task.