Free tennis sessions are being served up by Bedford Borough Council and the National Tennis Association (NTA) on Sunday, 18 May in Bedford Park.
From 11.30am to 1.30pm, Bedfordians will have to chance to take part in free sessions suitable for all ages and abilities, with all equipment provided.
You can book a free junior or adult coaching session at the event by visiting the website here.
The Junior coaching sessions are a fun and engaging introduction to tennis for children, using smaller rackets and lower-bouncing balls to build skills and confidence.
The Adult coaching sessions are perfect for beginners or those getting back into tennis, with a friendly coaching team to help participants improve their game.
The event will also feature demonstrations of the SmartAccess gate system and the online booking platform, which were introduced after the existing courts were refurbished and modernised last year.
The LTA project resurfaced the courts, installed new nets and protected the mature trees on their perimeter.
This refurbishment is part of a nationwide LTA initiative to revive public park tennis courts and encourage more people to enjoy the sport and a wider project across the Borough from Bedford Parks Tennis.
As well as Bedford Park, courts were improved at Allen Park, Southfields, Mowsbury Park, Russell Park, Linden Road, and Addison Howard Park. This investment has transformed seven park tennis court sites across Bedford Borough, ensuring residents have access to high-quality facilities that encourage active lifestyles and community engagement.
Councillor Sarah Gallagher, portfolio holder for customer experience, leisure and culture, said: “This open day is a wonderful opportunity for residents to experience the benefits of these upgraded facilities.”
Courts are available to book via the LTA’s online platform here.
Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive, said: “Park tennis courts are vital for providing people with opportunities to pick up a racket, and we want as many people as possible, of all ages, abilities and backgrounds, to enjoy playing tennis and being active.
“Thanks to this investment, the sport will be opened up to more players, for years to come.”
While a small booking fee of £6 per hour or an annual household pass of £40 applies, there are also two hours of free informal play available weekly at each site on Sunday afternoons.
This investment forms part of a national scheme to refurbish over 1,600 park tennis courts, improving access and quality for communities across the country.
