GALASHIELS Squash and Racketball Club formally reopened on Monday evening after their first refurbishment in more than 40 years.

The club successfully applied for a COVID Recovery Grant from Scottish Borders Council to improve their facilities.

Local councillor Euan Jardine was invited to ‘cut the ribbon’ before the members were treated to an exhibition game between two of Scotland’s top players – Rory Stewart and Georgia Adderley.

Rory won the opening set 11-8 and took the second 11-7. Georgia fought back and took the third set 11-5.

However, Rory took the match 12-10.

Club captain Del Sharratt said: "I'd like to thank Scottish Borders Council for the grant that made this possible.

"The club opened in 1979 and this was the first refurbishment. The floors on the court were professionally sanded and the walls plastered. We also got new carpets and furniture including chairs and coffee tables locally sourced from Chrysties Furniture in Hawick. When the club was closed because of COVID we thought 'let's get it done immediately' as we'd been talking about it for years and the place looks great.

"Squash is a great sport and we currently have around 50 members who pay £100 per year which is a third or even a quarter of what you'd pay for a club in Edinburgh. We are hoping to find new members and are looking at starting a ladies’ night. It's great to see more women taking up the sport and hopefully Emma Raducanu's success will inspire more youngsters to take up racket sports."

Councillor Jardine added: "It was great to watch some world class squash players tonight and hopefully with this new facility available in Gala we can create more great players. It's good to see the club making such good use of their grant. I was honoured to be asked to come along and open it and I would like to pay tribute to the members and volunteers without whom clubs like this wouldn't exist."

Full membership costs £100 per year, seniors (over 65s) £70 and students £30.

For more details, email enquiry@galasquashclub.co.uk