26th Annual Tournament Quiz Night AGM P X Juniors Preston Cross Hotel History
Finals night for the 2005 Club Championship was held on Saturday 9th April with a superb evening’s entertainment. Many people came along to watch the action, and what excitement they were treated to! As ever, all games were hotly contested with some inspirational play, but once again last year’s winners, Sue Willis and Dan Carpenter, were victorious in the open singles tournaments.
Many thanks to all those involved in a very successful evening.

See the Club Tournament page of the web site for all winners.
The physical combat may well be over now Finals night has passed, but mental agility will be to the fore in June. 
We have set a date for the next Quiz Night – JUNE 10. We will be joining forces with Leatherhead Tennis Club again and hope to have a good evening of fun – with the odd question thrown in now and again from quizmaster extraordinaire, Paul Carton. 
It will be tables of six at £5 per person, kicking off at 8pm. Food will be available at £6 a head from the hotel and at the moment we know only that there will be a meat option or a veggie option to be paid for on the night.
Book early to avoid disappointment. Please sent cheques made out to Preston Cross Squash Club to Nicky Osborne, Tweed Cottage, Forest Road, East Horsley KT24 5ES, indicating whether you require food or not and if it is the meat or veggie option.
There will be a raffle on the night so all donations gratefully received.
The AGM is scheduled for Monday 13th June at 9.00pm after club night. Please put the date in your diary now and make a point to attend. Your views and commitment are very important to us.
The existing committee have all served for the last three years so we are looking for volunteers to step into their shoes to take the club onwards and upwards into next year. Although we are a small club we have a thriving atmosphere and great support for all events but now we are asking a few of you to come forward to take over the committee’s responsibilities. You won’t have to give up too much time, the committee meets just four times a year to plan the social events, (which do raise very valuable funds vital in keeping the club maintained) address day to day issues, co-ordinate teams and the annual tournament, produce Cross Court, update the web site and look at ways in further improving the club facilities.
We are looking for a chairperson plus three others. Please give it your serious thought and speak to any of the existing committee, Keith Whale (01372 459026), Nicky Osborne (01483 282834) Steve Johnson (01372 454827)or Graham Warren (01483 283645) if you feel you may be prepared to step forward.
Our junior coaching sessions continue to thrive with three weekly group sessions and numerous private sessions. There are a few vacancies on Saturday mornings from 9.00 for improvers/advanced, or from 10.00 for beginners/improvers.
The Monday 5.00pm session is now full but with interest still growing there may well be a 4.00pm session starting soon.
Keep an eye on the juniors notice board for all details.

Annual Juniors Competition
The juniors handicap competition was well contested again this year. The final match between Daniel Russell and Richard Barnes was a great opener for our Finals Night. Daniel put up a very gallant performance but the five year age gap (12 & 17) proved too much allowing Richard a well deserved victory and the trophy.
The original building on the site was a cottage erected in the mid 16th century which later became the Manor House of Little Bookham, and owned by Edmond Martir in 1614. In the mid 1800’s it was modernised substantially, and subsequently let by the Lord of the Manor to Mrs. May Hansard in 1919. There were then several private owners including a Mr. Pride, a local resident, before it was purchased and opened in 1971 by Mr. Bill Thomas as Preston Cross Country Club. By the end of 1973, substantial further development of the premises had been effected, including accommodation, the ballroom, and the two squash courts. The celebratory Christmas Dinner Dance featured The Beverly Sisters, and was claimed as Surrey’s top event of the year! In case you were wondering about the “Preston” part of the name, this was one of the four districts of The Bookhams, the others being “The Village” “Eastwick” and “Northend”. Further interesting information concerning features of the property, include the room which is now the lounge bar. During Mr. Pride’s occupancy, this area was leased to an eye specialist who used it as his surgery. Preston Cross Country Club changed to new ownership at the end of 1977, when it was purchased by Mr. Fred Hyde, a local property developer. Mr. Laurie Smart, the existing owner, bought the club in 1979.
Many thanks to John Palmer for this article, first written in Cross Court 1996, and to John Webster for finding it in the archives.