Elliswick LTC Newsletter – February 2020

Dear Members,

Welcome to our February Newsletter. Firstly, a very warm welcome to our new members who have just joined the club. We are holding an open day/new members day on Saturday 25th April and a Family Fun Day on Saturday 9th May. We would love to have many of our new members, in particular, attend these events. Please encourage any non-member tennis-playing friends and acquaintances to put the open day in their dairies.

The 2020 Annual Club Tournament sign-up forms are now on the notice board.  Please put your names down if you wish to participate. The closing date for entry is Sunday 22nd March and the draw sheets to be published by Friday 27th March. The first tournament start date is Monday 30th March and the end date / semi-finals round is to be completed by Sunday 28th June. The tournament Final will be held on Saturday 4th July.

With daylight hours lengthening, we look forward to more evening tennis and the start of a busy social season, which kicks off with the inaugural Jazz Evening on Saturday 14th March. See details below.

Membership 

As of 1st March, if you haven’t paid your renewal fees yet, your membership will lapse if we have not received full payment, and your place will be offered to one of the 200 people on our waiting list.

Wimbledon Ballot

Thank you to all those members who have registered with the LTA for the Wimbledon ticket draw. The Committee has decided that this year we should invite the LTA to conduct the draw for us automatically. Under the automatic system, the LTA will conduct the ballot and allocate pairs of tickets to the winning members. The member can either accept or reject the pair of tickets allocated to them. If they are rejected, or the member fails to pay for them within two weeks, the tickets will be re-balloted by the LTA to other ELTC members. Please remember that each pair of tickets is to be used only by the member who wins them and their guest. We expect that the LTA will conduct the draw in the second half of March.

Grounds & Clubhouse

We have had an issue with the outside lights tripping out, it has been fixed for now but we are getting quotes for more efficient and reliable LED lights for the drive and path approaching the clubhouse.

We have put up a new trophy cabinet in the bar to replace the original we had in the old part of the clubhouse.

Team Tennis

Ladies tennis

Ladies vet matches are nearly complete but with recent weather issues there are still a few to play.  Forthcoming summer teams are being organised and captains will be organising fixtures with their teams.  If there are any new members or players who would like to be considered for match play, then please do not hesitate to register your interest by contacting Victoria Aitchison at [email protected]

Summer Friendlies:
Lynn Frankling will be organising these matches again this Summer.  If any improving players would like to start playing matches, this would be ideal for you. Please contact Lynn at [email protected].

Men’s Tennis

Squads have been decided for Men’s Herts League teams 1-5. If any new members or current members who haven’t played in those teams before but are interested in playing and would like to be considered, please email our Men’s Captain, Rupert, at [email protected].

The men’s vets teams are doing well:

  • 45a are top of the league, looking for promotion with some convincing wins under their belt.
  • 45b are mid table.
  • 45c are 3rd.
  • 55a are top of the league looking for promotion also, getting some great results so far this season.
  • 55b are mid table.
  • 65a are 2nd hoping to push for promotion.

Our Men’s Captain, Rupert Tillbrooke is looking forward to the summer season with a few new arrivals in the teams and a few familiar faces back in action.

Mixed Team Tennis

The East Herts Winter Mixed season is well underway, with 7 teams competing for ELTC. All teams have matches left to play so league standings are not set in stone by a long stretch. But it’s worth highlighting that Elliswick 5 sits at the top of its division.

With 3 teams in the Datchworth league (the website is http://www.datchworth.net/), we are now looking forward to the Summer Datchworth season. Summer Datchworth match fixtures commence Monday April 20th, running for 14 consecutive Monday evenings.

If anyone would like to play in a mixed-team team, please do not hesitate to register your interest by contacting Eric Rovick at [email protected].

Socials

The Social calendar has been posted on our website and the notice board.

  • Jazz Night – Saturday 14th

We have a good core of people attending but as this is a very casual event, anyone wishing to come who has not put their name down already can still do so.  Tickets are £10 per person.  The bar will open at 7.30 and remain open for people to purchase drinks when the band has finished playing.  Please feel free to chat and dance whilst the music is playing.  Please note that food is not provided but if you wish to bring your own dips/nibbles etc please do so.

  • Club Nights and Club Tournament – start week commencing 30 March.
  • Dinner Dance – Saturday 6th June

If you would like to come to the Elliswick dinner dance please put your name down on the notice board list, as soon as possible.  Further details will follow shortly.

Juniors

  • The date for the 2020 Junior Tournament is Sunday 13th September with reserve date on Sunday 20th

Our Junior Secretary, Deborah Temple will liaise entry to competition games with the Junior Captains of each age group, in conjunction with Ben Wood who allocates the teams.

  • The Friday Junior Nights will recommence on the 24th April and Deborah is looking for volunteers for the Rota.  Please email Deborah [email protected] if you are able to help with the 6-8pm shift.

Charity Fund Raising

One of our members, Laura Adams is hosting a charity fundraising evening in Harpenden called ‘Brush Party’ on Friday 13th March. Here’s the details of the charity that she is fund raising for and her Just Giving link.

https://justgiving.com/fundraising/ladams977

Laura’s story: “I am very proud to be joining the Royal Free Charity Marathon team for my first marathon.  My close friend, Dr Lynne Riley is my link and how I came to be running for the Royal Free Charity. She started the Helping Hands Fund at the Royal Free that helps families of children with cancer in their care and helps to make the journey for these families just a bit happier through days out, treats and extra touches. They provide the ‘Little Touches & Big Differences’ to make the experience a little more comfortable as well as providing cutting-edge treatment for the future. Any donations will make a big difference and will help to keep me going on what will be a very long run, much longer than my usual tennis matches!!”

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Another member, Mandy Macqueen is also raising fund for local charity the Counselling Foundation, please see details below:

Event – Approaching the Menopause Mindfully

Please join us for a fantastic evening full of fun, fizz and fabulous raffle prizes, all whilst learning the facts about menopause!

We’re delighted to host this special fundraising event with guest speaker the Mindful GP, Dr Molefi,

16th March 2020 from 7.30pm at Dylans Kings Arms, St Albans 

Tickets are limited: £25.00 (plus Eventbrite booking fee) Includes glass of fizz and nibbles.

All proceeds from this fundraising event are in aid of Mandy Macqueen’s 2020 London Marathon run, which will support our charity to provide the people in Herts and Beds with a high demand funded counselling service.

Kind Regards

Elliswick LTC Committee

 

PS, Don’t forget to keep up to date with events at our website http://www.elliswickltc.co.uk