OKEHAMPTON Table Tennnis Club is one of the town's Club sporting resources and it has made great progress over the years offering a friendly welcome to all ages and abilities.

It is also an important venue for the many local teams in the Okehampton and district table tennis league.

The club chairman Fred Phillips said how pleased he is a the progress the club has made over the past 13 years. Although the club was build as a table tennis club it is now used for many other purposes.

On Monday night the hall is used by Okehampton Short Mat Bowling Club, being their home venue, the other half used by the table tennis club.

Tuesday night is used for coaching for the Devon Elite Squad. Wednesday is club match evening; Thursday sees the premises shared once again by the table tennis and short mat bowling clubs; Friday night half the hall is used for Taekwondo while the other half by students from local schools using it for coaching. Karate tournaments are also held at the club. The club is open on Tuesday morning and Wednesday afternoons for an over 50 table tennis group.

The club is used by Okehampton Drop In Centre and there are also dance groups.

Fred said: 'It is sad that there are still a lot of people in the area that are still not aware that we are here. These days when we are all encouraged to keep fit, what better way to do this than to play table tennis in a friendly club in a large social environment.

'I believe we are the only private table tennis club in England to employ our own full time professional and it shows. Mike Hugh has improved three players in particular at our club to a a very high standard.

Naomi Jackson, aged 17, is now ranked number 12 in England for the girls U18s age group; George Haskell, 16, is ranked 125th in England at boys U18s while his brother Edward, 13, is ranked 25 in England U15s boys.

Fred said he would like to thank Ken Underhill, the league chairman and secretary; the seven volunteer coaches for the work they do and to Karen and Frank, the treasurers of the club and league.

n For more information call Fred Phillips on 07715 143271.