British Empire Medal for tennis stalwart Robert Lamb

TENNIS lover Robert Lamb's fine service to local sport has helped earn him inclusion in the New Year's Honours. 

Robert, a talented silversmith who crafted an English Rose for the Queen's 80th birthday, has received a British Empire Medal (BEM) for services to the Preservation of Traditional Skills and voluntary services to sport in Mexborough.

He arrived in Mexborough in 1957 as a teenager having learnt to play tennis at a junior school in North Lincolnshire. 

Robert played the game with friends on the Mexborough Miners’ Welfare Institute and Recreation Ground and in 1958 reformed the tennis section, competing in the local Mexborough league, having served as secretary and chairman.

As a trustee of the Welfare Institute and Recreation Ground, a rare sports facility in the middle of a very deprived area, Bob and others on the committee dedicated hours of unpaid time to keep the charity financially viable.

He said: “I've always lived a sporting life, having started off with playing cricket and then moving on to tennis.

“Tennis is a real passion of mine and is something I've loved all my life.

“I've played for the Miners Welfare (Mexborough Athletic Social Club) for a number of years and I'm still involved with the club.

“It's great to have my name on the list and something I never thought would happen.

"Being listed for the honour also gets good recognition for Mexborough."

Robert previously received the Lawn Tennis Association Meritorious Service Award, nominated by the Yorkshire Lawn Tennis Association, backed by the Sheffield & District LTA and his Mexborough club.