Graham Owen, who has died aged 92, was a resident of Bellingdon for 43 years and will be particularly remembered for his 55-year presidency of Chesham 1879 Tennis Club, reputed to be the oldest in the country. 

Image: Graham with some of his many protégés 

Playing well into his 80s, Graham’s greatest achievement was coaching generations of youngsters at the club, almost up to the end of his own tennis career. Countless players benefitted from his expertise, including his son Jeremy who played at county level. Members still compete for the President’s Cup, donated by Graham, in a tournament held in May each year. He was also a member of the Chesham, Amersham and District Sports Council.

Born at Ton Pentre in the Welsh valleys, Graham was employed for more than forty years by BT and its predecessors British Telecom and the General Post Office, retiring from senior management in 1989. He and his wife Frances (Fay) moved from Chesham to the village with Jeremy and his sister Sarah in 1978.

Graham will be fondly remembered by many for his endearing sense of humour which never failed to bring a smile to his friends and neighbours. The Owen family loved Bellingdon and took huge pleasure from their village surroundings, their garden and, over the years, a succession of Dachshund dogs.

A memorial service was held in the couple’s garden on April 25th, led by humanist celebrant Paul Woodstock. Tributes were read by family and friends from the worlds of tennis and amateur football, where Graham was a referee. He will be hugely missed.

With thanks to Fay Owen and Ken Ives