BUDDING Tim Henmans or Harlem Globetrotters on the Bere peninsula can now take advantage of a new court at Bere Ferrers Recreation Field.
Contractors have been working on the construction of the court at the top of the field for several months, but the court is now available for use ? although a final surface will be put on in the spring, when the weather is warmer.
The court ? which was funded mainly by Sport England ? is owned by the parish council, but the day-to-day management is being undertaken by the Bere Ferrers Villagers group.
Individuals within the group are taking responsibility for particular tasks relating to the court and the Recreation Field in general.
It is intended that clubs will be started, with teaching sessions and slots for different groups allocated.
One of the main instigators of the court, Bere Ferrers resident Daphne McDonald, said that people were using the court for tennis already ?whenever the weather is nice?.
Youngsters were also using it for basketball some weekends. At present these are the two sports on offer as no-one has requested anything else, Mrs McDonald said.
Villagers group member Robin Eastwood, who is acting as co-ordinator of the court activities, said: ?The court is a wonderful added feature to our lives in the area, and came about through the hard work by a number of groups?.
Eveyone on the peninsula is welcome to use the court, with instructions for use being posted on the court.
The key is available from the Lanterna in Bere Ferrers.
From March there will be a scale of charges, but until then there is no charge for the use of the court, but a £5 refundable deposit applies for the key.