A competition like no other
While Carlos Alcaraz was demonstrating his (metaphorical) ability to “walk on water” on the rough and red-y clay surface of Roland Garros, …
… and as ‘The Circuit’ moved lawn-wards to the genteel charms of West Kensington’s Queen’s Club – where our hero cemented his position as this season’s darling, and transitioned his game from dusty clay to lush green grass …
… the ‘Wimbledon Village Business Association’ (volunteer Events Branch, staff of one) was simultaneously gearing into action for its own annual popularity contest – offering High Street retailers some gentle persuasion to deck out our store fronts in appropriate style to celebrate the biggest gig of them all in the world of tennis, and pit ourselves against each other in a needle match all our own.
Winners Take it All
For those blissfully unaware of the competitive edge attached to this Wimbledon Windows showcase, we are here to spill the beans that there are rules of engagement, umpires, rankings and, importantly, pride as well as prizes at stake.
We have only gently indulged in recent years, without hoping for accolades, having failed to make it through to the final two in our very first all-out endeavour (2019) – although we did merit an honourable third place to take home two prize pink scatter cushions (still on display in our showroom apartment).
The Lead Up …
In advance of the stampede that this High Street exhibition brings with it, Merton Borough Council dispatched an advance guard of polite-but-firm men in High-Viz shorts to lay out the ground rules relating to street ‘furniture’ (ie the benches and water-filled dog bowls that give respite to those passing and in need).
The rules proscribe any overt encroachment onto public space that may risk health and safety jeopardy for unwitting pedestrians hustling to push past other onlookers and admirers.
Like naughty schoolchildren, we initially attempted to flout the rules – ever so gently – with a rogue A-frame abutting next door’s newly match-fitted astroturf, but were caught off guard on a return patrol, and we promise from henceforward to play within the guidelines of the Council, for the sake of the Tournament!
Game Changers
For our window display this year, we’ve upped our game – an unexpected result of a recent encounter while visiting Bridport, Dorset, via a birds-eye view over the industrial units known to the locals as ‘The Rope Factories’ – long emblematic of this coastal town’s historic claim to fame. A light research reveals that these are the possible headquarters of Edwards Sports Products – the official ‘weavers’ of Wimbledon’s tennis nets – where the story of our windows starts to take shape.
History in the Making
In addition to these landmark factories, Bridport boasts centrally located ‘ropewalks’ as part of its heritage – designed for outworkers who, once upon a time, walked to and fro on the streets where they lived, in order to twine the ropes and lace the nets for which the town has been famous since medieval times.
King John may not have been a good man, but he was responsible for establishing the rope making industry here back in 1211, when he commissioned Bridport to produce “by night and day” the ships’ ropes and cables required for an imminently expected war with France. The rest, as the saying goes, is history and, to this day, the locals attest that the rope factory lights never go out.
Bridport, Dorset: The Rope Factories at Sunset
The World’s Finest Tennis Nets
The Edwards company dates back to the 1880’s and became the official supplier of tennis nets to Wimbledon in the same era, in an exclusive relationship that it has maintained to this day.
Place Your Bets Nets
As we brainstormed ideas for our 2025 entry into this annual window competition, the story of this discovery was an irresistible addition to the mix, and from here the idea for some old-school ‘net curtains’ – flounced, tied, and edged with bouncy bobbled trim – was born.
We called the factory, told our tale – of recent travels and learnings, our Bridport connection and our business location, and of our window-front contest (of which they were already well aware) – and begged for any offcuts or ‘seconds’ of this material for us to work with. By the very next day, the generous team at Edwards had a complimentary net on its way to us, supplied with only one condition: that we should share with them a picture of our “finished masterpiece” (no pressure!).
Our net was duly received, and it couldn’t be more perfect or more gratefully welcomed – we were (almost) sad we didn’t actually have a tennis court to string it across.
Casting our Net while Cross-Hatching a Plan
Well Hung Support
While ball rotation, lawn care, and the quality and quantity of strawberries – among the other usual suspects of tournament logistics – take up the bulk of media attention, the nets remain an essentially unsung, if well-strung, hero of the Tournament, that have been far too long under-represented in the ball-heavy window displays of our High Street competition. We hope we are doing our bit to draw this glaring omission to the attention of the passing crowds, who often take a breather on the benches Merton Council has allowed us to maintain, tucked tight beneath our windows.
For anyone who is tennis-net-curious and would like to take a closer look at, or feel of, a genuine, officially appointed, Wimbledon net – our curtains are open to view 7 days a week, as are the doors to our showroom.
Curtain Calls and Bouquets
To Archie and Kerry at Edwards Sports Sales we would like to extend a hearty ‘Thank You!’, for entertaining our ideas and for your generous gift to us. We hope we have done you proud with our offering. We hold out no hopes to be among the prize-winners (the competition is always stiff), although our pride this year cannot be dented. Meantime, we are enjoying some admiring and amused looks, the comments and compliments we are receiving, and sharing the story of the net and its pedigree with anyone and everyone who peers through our window, from inside or out, as we gear up for the main event of the Tournament itself.
From Erica, and all the team at Day True
