A 99-year-old actor, Thelma Ruby, has made headlines by threatening to chain herself to the All England Club grounds if plans to build 39 new tennis courts at Wimbledon are approved. Ruby, who has appeared with renowned actors like Orson Welles and Judi Dench, expressed her concerns about the environmental impact of the proposed construction.
Living in a flat overlooking the club, Ruby shared her determination to take a stand against the plans, despite the possibility of being arrested. She highlighted the importance of the trees and green spaces that would be lost if the project goes ahead, emphasizing the value of the view from her window and the strength it gives her.
While the All England Club argues that the expansion is necessary to maintain Wimbledon’s status as a premier tennis tournament, local residents are worried about the environmental consequences. The proposal has been met with opposition, with concerns about the loss of green spaces on protected land and the potential for a decade-long construction process.
Although Merton council initially approved the plans, they were referred to the Greater London Authority after being rejected by Wandsworth council. Despite a recommendation for conditional planning permission from GLA planning officers, opponents of the project remain hopeful. Liberal Democrat MP Paul Kohler and Christopher Coombe of Save Wimbledon Park have both expressed confidence in their case, citing past legal victories in similar situations.
The final decision will be made by Jules Pipe, the deputy mayor of London, after Mayor Sadiq Khan recused himself from the process due to his previous support for the plans. As the community awaits the outcome of Friday’s decision, tensions remain high between those in favor of the expansion and those fighting to preserve the local environment and green spaces.