In one of the most uplifting examples of grassroots resilience in recent history, the Norbury Park Lawn Tennis Club has officially entered 2026 with its future fully secured. Established in 1889, the club is one of the oldest in the world, yet it faced a major threat in late 2024 when its lease was placed on the council’s asset disposal list. Refusing to let their 137-year history come to an end, the club’s members launched a whirlwind Don’t Cut the Heart Out of London campaign. The community rallied with extraordinary intensity, raising £85,000 to purchase the lease directly from the council. This fundraising effort included a GoFundMe page that pulled in £25,000 from donors as far away as the United States, alongside local events like Easter egg hunts and auctions.
Committee member Blaise Westmaas explained that buying the lease themselves was the only way to prevent a new landlord from quadrupling the rates and pricing the club out of existence. Now, having secured a 999-year lease, the club is no longer just a tenant but the master of its own destiny. Beyond tennis, the club serves as a vital social hub for the Norbury and Thornton Heath community, hosting yoga classes, community barbecues, and a popular day nursery. Longtime member Khamsay Phommavongsa, 76, who has been with the club for 30 years, described it as a family that had to be protected for future generations, including his own great-grandchildren.
The victory has already led to a surge in interest, with a significant increase in young people and women signing up for memberships. The successful purchase prevented the site from falling into the hands of developers, ensuring that Norbury retains its historic heart and vital green space. The club’s resilience serves as a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when a community engages its members and works collectively toward a shared goal. As the borough looks ahead to 2026, the story of Norbury Park Tennis Club stands as a beacon of local pride and a testament to the enduring power of community spirit.
Plans are now underway to modernize the clubhouse and potentially introduce new sports like padel to ensure the club’s long-term financial sustainability. The committee has been clear that they must continue to engage their members and the wider neighborhood to keep the momentum going. This success story has already inspired other local sports clubs facing similar challenges, providing a blueprint for community ownership and historical preservation. By taking charge of their own destiny, the members of Norbury Park have ensured that the sound of tennis rackets will continue to ring out across the park for the next millennium.
