Stop Eastbourne Council Locking Out Devonshire Park Tennis!
Stop Eastbourne Council Locking Out Devonshire Park Tennis!
The Issue
The Issue:
For over 140 years, Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club has been the proud home of grassroots community tennis in Eastbourne. These historic grass courts were originally designated by the Duke of Devonshire in 1879 for public recreation and local sports development.
Tragically, Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) has restricted public and club access to these immaculate grounds, prioritizing commercial tournaments over the very community the park was built to serve.
Why This Matters:
Devonshire Park is an essential pillar of global tennis heritage. It is the iconic venue where legends like Fred Perry discovered their love for the game at just 14 years old. By permanently barring resident members and local families from playing here, the Council is dismantling generations of tennis tradition and robbing our youth of the chance to practice on world-class grass.
Grass courts should not sit locked and empty outside of professional tournament weeks. They belong to the people of Eastbourne.
What We Are Demanding:
We call on Eastbourne Borough Council to immediately:
1. Reinstate regular playing access for Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club members.
2. Open court bookings to the general public outside of official international tournament windows.
3. Formally safeguard the heritage of this historic site for future generations.
How you can help right now:
- 📢 Share this post directly to your personal timeline and any local tennis club groups you belong to.
- 🏷️ Tag fellow players, coaches, or club committee members in the comments below to get this on their radar.
- 👥 Pass the link into your local club's WhatsApp groups or email chains.
Let's get these gates unlocked, spread the word across the South East, and get back on the grass!
You can also follow us on Facebook :
#savedevparktennis
@savedevpark
https://www.facebook.com/savedevpark/?locale=en_GB
287
The Issue
The Issue:
For over 140 years, Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club has been the proud home of grassroots community tennis in Eastbourne. These historic grass courts were originally designated by the Duke of Devonshire in 1879 for public recreation and local sports development.
Tragically, Eastbourne Borough Council (EBC) has restricted public and club access to these immaculate grounds, prioritizing commercial tournaments over the very community the park was built to serve.
Why This Matters:
Devonshire Park is an essential pillar of global tennis heritage. It is the iconic venue where legends like Fred Perry discovered their love for the game at just 14 years old. By permanently barring resident members and local families from playing here, the Council is dismantling generations of tennis tradition and robbing our youth of the chance to practice on world-class grass.
Grass courts should not sit locked and empty outside of professional tournament weeks. They belong to the people of Eastbourne.
What We Are Demanding:
We call on Eastbourne Borough Council to immediately:
1. Reinstate regular playing access for Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club members.
2. Open court bookings to the general public outside of official international tournament windows.
3. Formally safeguard the heritage of this historic site for future generations.
How you can help right now:
- 📢 Share this post directly to your personal timeline and any local tennis club groups you belong to.
- 🏷️ Tag fellow players, coaches, or club committee members in the comments below to get this on their radar.
- 👥 Pass the link into your local club's WhatsApp groups or email chains.
Let's get these gates unlocked, spread the word across the South East, and get back on the grass!
You can also follow us on Facebook :
#savedevparktennis
@savedevpark
https://www.facebook.com/savedevpark/?locale=en_GB
287
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Petition created on 15 June 2026