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Sept
Padel court’s grand opening at Ferrensby farm
A North Yorkshire farming family have opened the gates to a new sporting venture and unveiled two padel courts at Poplars Farm in Ferrensby.
Local farm owners, Andy and Ione Cumming, whose family has farmed the land since the 1950s, launched HG5 Padel in July after being inspired to turn part of the farm into a community sporting hub.
Following the soft launch of the courts, a grand opening will take place on September 19.
Andy’s grandfather bought the farm in the 1950s and the business remained a dairy farm until 2016. Since then, the Cummings have diversified the holding growing wheat, barley and maize, whilst a sheep farmer uses some of the grassland.
They run Poplars Storage from the site and also diversified with the opening of a purpose-built livery yard, Arkendale Livery, in a barn that used to house the dairy herd during the winter.
HG5 Padel has attracted local players from the surrounding villages, people from Boroughbridge and Knaresborough, as well as Harrogate, and the club is also welcoming people through coaching sessions, with two experienced coaches providing private lessons and fixtures.
Players can rent rackets and buy balls, and there will be vending machines on site for refreshments.
Andy, a sports enthusiast, said:
Creating a sporting community on the farm had always been a pipe dream and now with HG5 Padel it has become a reality! I also plan to train as a coach, so I can help with beginner classes.
We have been delighted with the mix of people using the courts, from different age groups to young parents bringing babies. We are learning on the job, but the feedback has been really positive. It’s been a great start, and we feel very excited to keep growing the offering here at the farm, which is why we wanted to celebrate with an official opening event this month.
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