New Knaresborough padel courts already attracting players from nearby villages, Boroughbridge and Harrogate
New padel courts are to be launched in a Knaresborough village with coaching and lessons available.
Located at Poplars Farm in Ferrensby, HG5 Padel is the idea of local farm owners, Andy and Ione Cumming, whose family has farmed the land for 70 years.
Looking to diversify their business, the two new courts devoted to what is Britain’s fastest growing sports craze will also provide a useful facility for the community.
Ione said: “The idea for padel came after Andy and I tried the fast-growing racket sport with friends and took a lesson - we really loved it.
"Then one day I was driving past the Padel Farm in Sutton on the Forest and thought, we could do this.
"Andy got in touch with Callum at the Padel Farm and went to meet him.
"He has been so generous with his time advising us and, seeing what a great set-up he had there, he inspired us to take the plunge.”
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.
After a recent soft launch, Andy and Ione Cumming are very excited to be unveiling HG5 Padel officially with an invite-only event on Saturday, September 19.
Andy said: “Since opening the DIY livery, we have looked into so many different things but nothing has really caught our interest like padel did.
“Creating a sporting community on the farm has always been a dream of mine.
"We are already attracted local players from the surrounding villages, people from Boroughbridge and Knaresborough, as well as Harrogate.
"The feedback has been really positive.
"I plan to train as a coach myself.”
HG5 is also welcoming people for coaching sessions with two experienced coaches providing private lessons and fixtures.
More information: https://hg5padel.co.uk/