Wimbledon kicks off today. A quintessential British sporting event for which I'm always very excited. Alas I've never been to SW19, but as a proud Scot in recent years I've watched avidly the progress of Andy Murray. As French Open runner up and winner at Queens he's surely in a great position in 2016 to repeat the success of 2013. I suspect that my love for Tennis came from my youth when I used to come home from school in the 80's and find my Mum watching Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg and the likes with great enthusiasm. As a teen I was a fan of Stefan Edberg and Pat Cash. Admittedly that was probably as much for their looks as their tennis! I also remember making my Mum buy multiple of bottles of Robinsons Lemon Barley Water so I could collect tokens and send off for a Wimbledon Towel! It was worth it though as 30 years later I still have it.
At this time of year whether its due to Wimbledon or the warm(er) weather, both adults and kids seem to feel inspired to pick up a racquet and play tennis. I’m currently working with the Lawn Tennis Association on their Great British Tennis Weekend campaign #GBTW. Across the weekend of Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th July you can try tennis for free at a Great British Tennis Weekend event. Sign up for your FREE tennis activity here. Simply enter your location and find and book a session. Thousands of free events will be taking place all across the country, with sessions to suit the whole family. There are Highland Spring Mini Tennis sessions, family time, free play, Cardio Tennis and numerous other kinds of activities to get involved in. Rackets and balls will be provided, so whether you’ve never picked up a racket before or you’re a seasoned regular – there is fun to be had. My own playing experience is somewhat limited. As a child I remember my Auntie Joyce getting very enthusiastic with a serve always proceeded by the question "Is your bat ready?". We're lucky enough to have a couple of courts in our village and a quick knock about is a fun way to encourage kids to get outside, have fun,keep fit and perhaps find a future British tennis star.
Food and drink is an integral part of Wimbledon. Pimm's and strawberries are what immediately spring to mind. The astounding figures below come from Championships' caterers FMC and relate to 2015
- 330,000 cups of tea and coffee
- 320,000 glasses of Pimm's
- 25,000 scones
- 110,000 pints of draught beer and lager
- 140,000 portions of English strawberries
- 10,000 litres of dairy cream
- 29,000 bottles of champagne
- 5,000 kilos of bananas (for players)
- 86,000 ice cream portions
If you've not been lucky enough to get tickets in the ballot why not try tennis for free this summer by signing up for a #GBTW session and preparing your own Wimbledon inspired feast with the help of the recipes below.
Disclosure : This is a commissioned post for BritMums and the Lawn Tennis Association.
I’m working with the Lawn Tennis Association on their #GBTW campaign. Sign up for your FREE tennis activity here.
June has been so rainy it doesn't feel like it can be Wimbledon time already! What an impressive collection of recipes - thank for including mine!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great roundup of tennis-related foods! So hilarious that you still have your Wimbledon towel :) The Great British Tennis Weekend is such an amazing way to encourage families to play together as a family and give it a try!
ReplyDeleteI've dug it out and checked the date. Turns out its only 25 years old, not 30!
DeleteI loved the days of Borg and McEnroe "you can not be serious" and remember being able to watch the odd bit of tennis at school, it was so exciting. I also fancied Pat Cash later on as well as Andre Agassi! Anyway enough of my ramblings, very excited to see where Murray comes this year and thank you for including my Rhubarb and Blueberry Tarte Tatin in the magnificent roundup:-)
ReplyDeleteGosh yes Pat Cash clambering up to his family was a real iconic moment in Wimbledon history.
DeleteFab roundup Claire! Lots of lovely inspiration here. I used to love playing tennis as a child but for some reason stopped when I was a teenager. I think perhaps because there weren't any courts near us and its not the same trying to play in the garden! Must hunt down tennis courts near us now :)
ReplyDeleteType your postcode into https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/OpenDays/ there's sure to be something close to you as part of #GBTW And its FREE!
DeleteI laughed when I read about Auntie Joyce - this is something my auntie might say too!! I loved reading your post and also all that food inspiration! Thanks for the recipes and I hope you and your family enjoy the tennis this summer!
ReplyDeleteMy children still get mixed up with clubs/bats/racquets/sticks etc!
DeleteWow! After all these years, you still keep the towel. Well, it is worth it! My friend from Singapore is asking me to get him one last week. I might have to order it online.
ReplyDeleteLove all these recipe round up. Looking great! #GBTW
I'm not sure about the garish colours of the ladies towels this year. Much prefer the traditional ones.
DeleteWoah, that is a boatload of tea & Pimms! I had my tonsils out when I when 13 over Wimbledon and the nurses would all come & hide in my room with the telly on to watch it :)
ReplyDeleteJanie x
Brilliant story! #TonsilTennis
DeleteLove those statistics - 320,000 glasses of Pimm's??? Brilliant stuff. Thats a lot of cheers-ing. Best time of year for strawberries and cream without a doubt. Now come on Andy Murray!
ReplyDeleteI am convinced that 2016 is going to be Andy's year!
Deletebrilliant roundup of recipes for Wimbledon! I think my eldest would love to try tennis and I know they do this in a local park - we will look out for it now, thank for the heads up! Thanks for including my cake too :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat an ACE round up of SMASHing Wimbledon round up recipes. I've book marked most for later x
ReplyDeleteOh I do LOVE a good Tennis pun!
DeleteWhat a good initiative to get people to try playing tennis.
ReplyDeleteFab round up of recipes, thanks for sharing my G&T jelly.
Eton Mess is my favourite, but I haven't seen the ice lollies before, I will be making these! I love Wimbledon and my dad worked there for 4 years and used to tell me the amount of food and drink they would get through x
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious! What a great way to celebrate the tennis!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great activity and cannot wait for our open day at the local tennis club too. Looks delicious! #GBTW
ReplyDeleteI'm loving all your strawberry themed recipes - I just know when the strawberries come out in the garden that Wimbledon is just round the corner x
ReplyDeleteStefan Edberg, yes! What a lot of recipes! I think my Pimms cupcakes went down the best out of all the ones I've ever made, must do them again soon :)
ReplyDeleteA fellow fan! I used to have photos of him from the sports pages on my bedroom walls. #swoon
DeleteI didn't know there was a ballot for tickets, I will be putting my name in next year!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck!
DeleteI can't believe more tea and coffee is drunk at Wimbledon that Pimms - that doesn't feel right at all (although makes sense given the terrible weather there's been at the tournament so far this week!). The tennis weekend sounds fun, I'll have to see if there's anything near me for my boys to join in with.
ReplyDeleteType your postcode into https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/OpenDays/ there's sure to be something close to you as part of #GBTW for you and your boys.
DeleteI love that you're looking at tennis from a foodie perspective too! Such fun facts about the food at wimbledon and a brilliant round up of recipes. x
ReplyDeleteI look at EVERYTHING in life from a foodie perspective! LOL
DeleteThose Pimms fruit tarts look glorious! Will have to see what we can manage to make to eat while watching Wimbledon x
ReplyDeleteI've got Pimm's Ice Lollies in my freezer ready for watching the mens final this afternoon #TeamAndy
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