Official opening of club patio

Long-serving club committee member Albert Smythe cut the ribbon and was presented with a street sign bearing the name, which was quickly taken away from him again and attached to the wall.

The event, organised by social committee member Tommy Saunderson, was a chance for the tennis players and bowlers to relax after a hard day's competition and enjoy the new facility.

The festivities continued late into the evening, with music provided by Larne band, Kudos.

The patio was built during the club's renovation last year, but improvements were still required.

Mr Smythe and several other members gave up their Sunday afternoons throughout the winter, or contributed financially, so that it would be finished in time for the summer season.

When presented with the sign, Mr Smythe said he was very pleased but he was just the organiser and everyone involved deserved the credit.

"I accepted it on behalf of all the guys who did the work," he said.

Mr Saunderson said: "It was unofficially known as Albert Square before, but it's been improved and elongated so we decided to call it Albert Strip."

"Albert puts a lot of his time and a lot of work into the club," he said.

Ricky Kelly, Tommy Saunderson, Harry Miller, Hugh Russell, Tommy Knox, Peter Craig, Adam Boyle, Jim Boyle, Derek Murphy, Tommy Liddle, Nigel Fitzsimmons and Ralph Semple all volunteered their time and efforts to the project.

They called in Joe McRandall to finish laying the paving stones and a decorative barrel was donated by Leslie Hagan.