OPEN AIR TABLE TENNIS - The new Whitchurch open air table tennis table was officially opened by Jesse Norman, Herefordshire’s Conservative parliamentary candidate, on a beautiful evening last week. The table was inspired by local resident Malcolm Littlewood, who recalled seeing open air table tennis played in Munich many years ago. The parish council supported an application to Awards for All, part of the Big Lottery Fund, which covered all the costs requested, close to £2,000. The table and railings were made and installed by Ross Weld and the installation was complemented by the Cheshire firm Grassmats to provide a firm footing in wet weather. Ross Weld also contributed considerably to the design of this steel table, ensuring for safety reasons that there were no sharp edges or corners on the table.

This table provides the only sporting facility in the village. In the parish plan of spring 2006, it was stated that the eight-15 year age group was most lacking in facilities and in the youth survey the second local concern about living in the village, after road safety, was “being bored or having nothing to do”.

Anyone wanting to play should turn up with a bat and ball and, of course, a pal to play with.