Tennis hopefuls

The picture to the right was sent in by Graham McLaren who says: “The photograph is from 1959 and shows 50 or 60 young tennis hopefuls who were attending a camp for the best young tennis players from all over Scotland.

“There are seven young players from Courier Country, the Midlands district as it was known for tennis. Districts from all over Scotland would have had sifting processes culminating in an invitation to attend an intensive coaching week at Easter.

This was held at the Inverclyde National Sports Training Centre at Largs by the SLTA (Scottish Lawn Tennis Association).

“The seven locals are Ralph Skea (front row 3rd left), Graham McLaren, (front row 4th left), Ian Thomson (front row 7th left). Ralph was Arbroath LTC, I was Stobsmuir LTC and Ian was Craigielea LTC. I recall being the youngest (aged nine)in the whole group.

“Francis Bowman from Games Club (2nd front row, 2nd left), Helen Lyle from West End LTC (2nd row, 6th left), Ruth McDonald on Helen’s left (Craigielea LTC) were also at the camp.

“My brother Douglas McLaren from Stobsmuir LTC is 4th back row, 3rd from the right. Above Ruth McDonald’s left shoulder is Winnie Shaw from Clarkston LTC in Glasgow. She married and as Winnie Woolridge, she reached Wimbledon singles quarter finals and doubles semi finals. Also in the picture will be Glasgow’s Frances MacLennan, a doubles semi-finalist at Wimbledon who went on to marry England’s Roger Taylor who was three times a Wimbledon singles semi finalist. And finally Joyce Barclay (later Joyce Williams) should be in the picture too. She was local (Stobsmuir I think) and another good player.”

Iain MacMillan with his mother Margaret. See top of column.