It is with great sadness we advise the passing of Wendy Vernon-Browne who was a stalwart of Dorset tennis.
As a young girl, Wendy wanted to study modern languages at Cambridge but it soon became clear to her that her talents would lead her in another direction. She studied for a degree at Bedford before moving to Talbot Heath School in 1954 where she stayed for 39 years.
Wendy joined the Royal Navy Reserves for which her services led to being awarded an OBE in 1981.
Wendy will always be fondly remembered for her passionate involvement in Dorset tennis. She was greatly involved in developing juniors and organised ball girls from Talbot Heath School for the British Hard Court Championships.
Wendy was a long term member of the Dorset LTA Committee where her knowledge and enthusiasm contributed greatly to the development of tennis within the county. Wendy would spend hours researching tennis and was the creator of the long standing Dorset Lob, a magazine of events and news in Dorset. In 2004, she received the LTA Meritorious Award in recognition of outstanding voluntary service to tennis over a long period of time.
Wendy was a character known to all with plenty of stories to tell. She was an avid collector of tennis memorabilia and was hopeful a museum would be set up at Talbot Heath School where she had fond memories.
Wendy was quick to give advice and maintain a keen interest in Dorset tennis and attended the 2019 Dorset County Championships Finals in August.
Wendy had a big influence in the development of Dorset tennis throughout the years and will be greatly missed.
Funeral details will follow.
