Most people who have a weekend away in Edinburgh do so to visit the Castle and the Palace but not so Warlingham squash player Eric Stevenson. He was a bit more energetic when he played in the Scottish National Championships for the Deaf at both squash and racketball two weeks ago!

After some hard fought battles especially against Gordon Hope in the squash final, Eric came away winning both the squash and the racketball trophies to be crowned a double Scottish National Champion.

Eric said: "That was tough. At 59 they are all younger than me these days but I guess the experience of having played for over 30 years counts in my favour. I don't run around so much any more but make up for that with craft and guile. After two days of virtually non-stop competition I could barely drive back to the hotel for a beer - but I managed a few refreshing ones later in the evening."

Eric, who has a severe hearing loss, plays at Warlingham Squash and Racketball Club, Church Lane, Warlingham and for the last ten years has represented the club in the Surrey County League matches playing in one of the club's four teams.

Club Chairman, Rod Gemmell said: "Having a double National Champion at the club is brilliant for the other players. Eric is an enthusiastic member of the club, captains the third team, and is a dammed difficult opponent on court. You would not know he was registered as deaf except that he doesn't hear the 'sledging' on court!"

Membership enquiries for Warlingham Squash and Racketball Club should be directed to the Membership Secretary, Ray Goldsmith at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or see www.warlinghamsquashandracketball.org.uk