Albany Lawn Tennis Club is now open for doubles play on the outdoor courts at Ballaughton in Douglas.

All the hygiene rules regarding Covid-19 restrictions remain in place so please continue to observe them.

It’s to everyone’s advantage that we do everything by the book - we don’t wish to see the virus return and we then have another 10 weeks of lockdown to endure.

Members have been sent an update by email. Club chairman, David Long, was also interviewed by Manx Radio when he explained the rules and said it was hoped a junior programme would start soon.

l Sad news reached me recently that a former president of the national Lawn Tennis Association, Cathie Sabin, had died.

Many members will remember that Cathie did the club a great honour by attending the ’50 years at Ballaughton’ anniversary dinner.

All who spoke to her were impressed with her friendliness and interest in what the club was doing for the development of tennis in the island. Our junior programme really grabbed her attention.

She was accompanied by her husband Jon and they both thought they might make a return visit and see more of the island. Sadly, that didn’t happen.

A message of sympathy has been sent to Jon and his family on behalf of the club.

l David Stacey has completed his ’marathon’ walk in aid of The Friends of Noble’s Hospital and Cruse Bereavement Care.

The retired former managing director of Tower Insurance walked round his garden every day for 60 days over the first two months of the lockdown, clocking up 3,400 laps and averaging eight miles per day.

The total distance covered by the 73-year-old was 545.85 miles and the money raised so far is an impressive £3,230. There is still time to give him a fiver if you see him at the club.

l We also had some more sad news this week with the death of Barbara Foley’s son Craig at the age of 42.

All who know Barbara will be concerned for her and how husband Alec and Craig’s brothers Stuart and Andrew are all coping following his passing. He had been unwell for many months but in his younger days, when his brothers were playing, he would be at the club with his mum and always gave everyone a big smile.

PAT SHARP