Welcome to our August newsletter!

Entrance Lobby & Players’ Bar

New bifold doors were installed on Tuesday, replacing the single patio door and creating a much better entrance/exit from/to the terrace.  This is the third and final set of bifolds we have been putting in place over the past three years, to help make the most of our lovely setting when the sun is shining.

With that done, next week we start the redecoration of the area.  We anticipate it will take up to a fortnight to complete the main phase of the work.  In week 1, in particular, it will be a bit of a building site and, for safety, there will be no access to the area, including no access through the front door of the clubhouse.

We have a site meeting arranged with the contractor to agree a route to the toilets, changing rooms, bar, kitchen and Centenary Room.  We will issue an email ASAP.  Please bear with us; we’ll be back to normal before long, with a lovely new welcoming into the club.

Club Open Day

On Sunday 15th September from 11am to 3pm we have the second of our two Open Days that we hold every year.

The focus is attracting new members, but why not pop down and join in - and have your first opportunity to see the redecorated area.  It won’t be quite finished, as we have a second contractor following on with some final items, but you’ll get a sneak peak.

There will be lots going on, opportunities to play tennis and squash, Graham will have the bar open, and Claire will be serving some great food.

Tennis

The refurb of courts 10-12 is finally complete.  The surface has settled down and is playing excellently. There are a couple of peripheral ‘landscaping’ issues which require attention, at the two pathway corners alongside court 12, and we’ll get round to fixing those.

We know the sandbags are still in the car park.  Sorry.  We’re on the case.

Our men’s National League team are through to the National Finals in Bournemouth for the second year in a row on the weekend of 6/8^th September, which is a fantastic achievement!  Good luck guys!

Squash & Racketball

A couple of dates for your diaries.

Friday 27th September from 6pm:  graded squash evening.  Round-robin games against others of a similar level - for all levels, from newbies to advanced.  Look out for details coming soon.

Friday 4th October from 5pm:  Nick Matthew / Dunlop evening.  It’s free!  Coaching clinic with the former world champion, plus Adam and Carts, starting with juniors at 5 then adults at 6.  All courts, so everyone welcome (we can split into 30min segments if necessary to accommodate everyone).  Try out the latest Dunlop rackets.  Then an exhibition match against another top Dunlop Pro.  Full details coming soon.

Go on, sign up to both and have a great time!  The new season is nearly here!

Social

More dates for your diaries!

Wednesday 2nd October:  Rock ’n Roll Bingo in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Friday 6th December:  Elvis Christmas Party.  Elvis is in the (club)house once more!

Wednesday 11th or Friday 13th December (TBC):  Christmas Quiz Night.  The return of our ever popular team quiz evening!

Spotlight on…

…our staff, volunteers and business partners.

One of the reasons we are able to run a club our size with just 3 part-time direct employees is the dedication and owner’s mindset of those people, our volunteers, our coaches, and our business partners.

Many of whom have worked on behalf of the club for over a decade.  Claire and Graham running our bar and catering.  Susannah and Vicky managing the club office.  Tyrell and Adam our head tennis and squash coaches.  Phil our club treasurer.  Gill helping on the squash committee.

Some have worked with us for two decades.  Tracey organising our tennis teams.  Olly our mainstay of the tennis coaching team.  John and Pete helping us with our club maintenance.

And then there’s Dan who has organised our tennis singles box leagues for three decades!

Lest anyone think it’s time for some fresh blood, we have a great blend of recent appointments and longevity, with three of our six Club Council members being in position for three years or less.

To all of them, from all of us, a huge thank-you!  We’re lucky to have you!

That’s all for now, until next time.

John Shaw

Club Chair