Welcome to our May newsletter

Following the Governments confirmation that we can progress to the next level of the lifting of restrictions from Monday, we are able to really get our show back on the road.

Squash and Squash57

Indoor sport has been severely impacted by the pandemic and, although we have been able to run some junior coaching since last month, adults have pretty much been restricted to solo practice or games between same households or support bubbles.  As a result, even though we were able to open the courts in April, they have been deathly quiet.

So it is wonderful news that England Squash today announced that they fully expect a full return to squash and squash57 from Monday, with no need to form ‘bubbles'.  After nearly 6 months’ absence, we are able to get back on court to have a match again!

ES are currently finalising arrangements with Sport England.  Their detailed announcement will be published by the end of the week.  In the meantime, we are proceeding with the assumption that there is no late change; if there is, we will immediately let you know.

Once the national guidance for squash is available, and once we’re underway again next week, we’ll review the operational procedures that all clubs introduced last year.  We imagine that most if not all the hygiene precautions will remain in place but, potentially, the 15 minute intermission between court bookings can be reviewed.  We’ll keep you informed.

We’ll let everyone ease their way back into things for a few weeks and then we’ll re-launch the club box leagues.

Changing rooms

Sticking with our indoor facilities for the moment, we’re also now able to re-open our changing rooms and showers from Monday.

As was the situation before Lockdown 3, we’re all subject to the rule of 6 indoors, so there will be limited numbers allowed in at any one time, but this didn’t prove to be a constraint when the protocols were in place last time around.

Tennis

It’s been fabulous to see the tennis courts buzzing, the outdoor bar has been great for the social scene, and it’s been fantastic to welcome many new members!

So much so that we have had to issue a few Covid protocol reminders and make a couple of operational tweaks, particularly in respect of Friday evenings, such has been the success of Junior Club Nights.  We are quite regularly visited by the town’s Covid marshals, so we have to keep everything in check.

But the popularity of the club has been a good problem to have and things will get much easier from Monday, when most restrictions on meeting outdoors are lifted and we can also open the clubhouse bar.

Unfortunately, the excessive wind and rain last week put paid to the gazebo that we’d hired, but it served us well for a brief period.  It may well return.

In accordance with the greater derestrictions for indoor sport, adult doubles will now be able to recommence in the ITC.

Bar

As mentioned, we’ll be re-opening the clubhouse bar from Monday.  Our full range of drinks will finally be available again, and we are also introducing Adnam’s Ghost Ship 0.5%, due to the growing popularity of low/non-alcoholic beer and lager.

You’re probably all familiar with the incoming national rules that will apply to our indoor hospitality:

• table service only;
• maximum 6 people per table;
• wear a face mask until you sit down;
• bar staff will take your order and deliver it to your table;
• card payments only; and
• (our local rule!) no sweaty kit please.  The changing rooms and showers will be open, and there will be seating on the terrace as usual.  As we did before, we will split the lounge into 2 areas:  a players' area for those directly off court; and a non-players' area for guests and those who have changed.

Most restrictions on our outdoor hospitality are lifted from Monday, although we are making a few operational changes now that we can open the clubhouse bar:

• order and pay for drinks at the clubhouse bar;
• wear a face mask while you queue;
• keep to single file social distancing when queuing at the bar;
• drinks will be delivered to your table outside; and
• an exception to all of the above is on Fridays, our busiest evening, when we will also be serving from the outdoor bar.  And, of course, we will be continuing with the scrumptious Friday Night is Pizza Night, available both indoors and outdoors.

For the time being, until indoor restrictions are eased again next month, the bar opening hours will continue to be:

• Monday to Thursday 6pm - 10pm;
• Friday 5pm - 10pm;
• Saturday 4pm - 10pm; and
• Sunday 12noon - 2pm.

If you are looking to hold an event, keep us in mind.  Now that we are able to open indoors, the clubhouse lounge is once again open for bookings and makes a great party venue.

Club maintenance

Squash courts 3, 5 and 6 have had a Spring-clean (very minor for 5 and 6), all the courts are looking in great nick and we can’t wait to see them busy again.

Starting today we are doing some work to the retaining wall to tennis courts 1, 2 and 3.  It requires a new row of capping stone.  We’ll be using the same type of brick that we have on the other outside walls.

Play on the courts and access along the path should be largely unaffected.  But we will need to have a skip in the car park for a few days, which will reduce the number of spaces available for members.  Please bear with us - it won’t be for long.

Date for your diary

Sunday 6th June.  Club Open Day.

All facilities will be open for people to visit and try.  It is also the date of our next home fixture in the tennis National Club League, so there will be some fabulous tennis to watch.  

The place will be a hub of activity - why not mention it to friends and encourage them to come down and have a go.

Our tennis section has bounced back with a vengeance.  The social scene has brought a great atmosphere.  Now to get squash and squash57 back!

Club Council

(John Shaw, Matt Markwort, Phil Trimmer, Tracey Mackey, Mark Shattock)