ELLISWICK LTC NEWSLETTER – JUNE 2025
With the sun that has been generously shining our way, we hope that you have been enjoying your tennis on our very well-maintained courts.
Due to the soaring temperatures, we set out below general best practice when playing tennis in these conditions.
Timing and pacing:
• Play during cooler parts of the day (early morning/evening)
• Conserve energy during changeovers – intentional rest and pacing
• Drink before and during play
- Bring cooling sprays, ice packs, soaked hats and towels
• Wear moisture-wicking, light-coloured, breathable or UV-protective clothing
Take care and enjoy your tennis.
ACCOUNTANT NEEDED
A quick plea for assistance – we need an accountant to help us prepare the club’s annual accounts in early October. Please contact our Chairman Eric Rovick ([email protected]) if you can help out with this important task.
COURTS RESURFACING
Courts 4-7 as well as the junior/mini court will be completely out of action from 21st July to 5th September. Members will have access to courts 1-3 during the mornings and court 1 in the afternoons. The coaches will have priority over courts 2-3 in the afternoons. There will be a temporary fence erected at the back of courts 1-3 whilst the fencing works are undertaken. Please access courts 1-3 only via the steps down to court 1.
The rear car park will be for exclusive use of the contractors and space must be allowed for large vehicles to access the rear car park. Do not access the clubhouse or rear car park via the rear door. It should be kept shut at all times.
CLUB TOURNAMENT – FINALS DAY
We were lucky with the weather. The Finals Day ran very smoothly and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the brilliant tennis and the great atmosphere. Thank you to those who helped to make the day a great success.
Congratulations to the Club Tournament winners and well done to the Runners-up.
Ladies Doubles: Kate Curson & Sue Cove, Runners-up: Emma Hall & Maki Watanabe-Genoud
Mens Singles: Rupert Tillbrooke, Runner-up: Mark Behan
Ladies Singles: Vicky Jacobs, Runner-up: Maki Watanabe-Genoud
Mens Doubles: Rupert Tillbrooke and Oliver Tresman, Runners-up: Mark Behan & Guillaume Nicolas
Mixed Doubles: Kate Curson & Sam Harrison, Runners-up: Sue Cove & Simon Lowe
Lost Property Boxes
Please look through the lost property boxes (clothing, racquets, water bottles) in the clubhouse as the boxes will be emptied at the end of this week.
GROUNDS AND CLUBHOUSE
As part of the court resurfacing, the old nets and posts will be replaced and disposed of. If any member is aware of an organisation that is short of funds and might be grateful to receive them, please contact David Cowan at [email protected]
SOCIALS
June was a busy month for socials. Thank you to Sally Radcliffe for organising a trip to see the Tina Turner musical – what a night! Ladies Night was busy for the Annual Fizz night where ladies enjoyed a delicious Indonesian curry cooked up by Andree and washed down with a few bubbles!
The sun-drenched Finals Day was a huge success with members enjoying some great tennis and savouring some top notch cuisine cooked up by our amazing volunteers. The bar was busy serving up thirsty members, again managed by volunteers. Thank you to all those who pitched in to help make this a fantastic day!
JULY:
17th – South African supper night catered by Steve Segall and Suzette Carlean who will be treating members to a lamb curry and authentic South African dessert.
https://forms.gle/sdZPHtftUViDQksv9
AUGUST:
14th – Supper Night by Jon Carr, sign up here: https://forms.gle/2PnwmomUY41xGviPA
We don’t think it will be possible to run our Bank Holiday tournament in August due to the resurfacing of the courts. However, in the unlikely event the resurfacing finishes well ahead of schedule, we will be able to run that on 25 August.
SEPTEMBER:
11th – Last Supper Night catered by the Fabulous Four (Sally, Jeanette, Jo Simpson & Angela) with an apple theme.
26th – McMillan Coffee Morning
27th – Quiz and Fish & Chips Night
If there are members interested in an evening with Annabel Croft at the EMC in November please sign up here: https://forms.gle/Giodz1ChRM2H2WLRA
For more information regarding our social events, please contact our Social Secretary, Jane Bisseker, at [email protected]
TEAM TENNIS
Ladies Tennis
Ladies summer matches are all underway and will continue through to the end of September. Looking at winter teams which start in September, we will enter the following teams: Ladies 40A, 50A, 50B, 60A, 60B. If there are any ladies who wish to be considered for winter teams, or there is a keen group of 40’s ladies who want to form a B team in a lower division, please contact [email protected]
Mixed Teams
Summer Datchworth league is nearing completion with one or two matches left to play. It’s looking likely that we will have one team being promoted, one being relegated and two sitting comfortably within their current divisions. So overall, a very successful season. Everyone has enjoyed some great tennis, and we look forward to our last few matches being played in this lovely weather!
Anyone interested in playing for one of our mixed teams please contact Amy Martin at [email protected]
JUNIORS
The 2025 Junior Tournament
The tournament was a huge success and the performance of all the Juniors was exemplary. The level of tennis was excellent right from the U8’s up to the U16’s. The spectators were impressed with the high level of tennis being played as well as the way in which all juniors conducted themselves. The weather was extremely hot, and it is a credit to all players who endured the heat to play their matches to the best of their ability.
The day would not have been so successful without the input of many.
We had Helen and her daughter Katie providing the breakfast bacon rolls (which once the smell of cooked bacon arose, where sold out) as well as lunch and treats throughout the entire long day.
We also had many parents offering to umpire the matches and every umpire slot was filled for all required matches.
Steve Segall spent the day taking such fantastic photos of the day to capture as many of the players as possible and these will all be uploaded to the Club website.
This year we tried to hold all finals matches on court 1 and I’d like to thank all umpires who enabled the juniors to enjoy the final match rather than worrying about scoring themselves. This was great and thanks go to Amy Martin, Jeremy Collier Garrity and Dan Pearce, who spent a few hours each in the umpire’s chair.
Thanks to Eric and Ken for ensuring the bar was fully stocked for the tournament and for Max and Ken for ensuring everyone was well watered throughout the day!
Thanks also go to Ken for organizing all the trophies for the tournament which were well received by all competitors, both runners-up and winners.
Finally, this day would not have happened if it were not for Dan Pearce and Rupert Tillbrooke. The planning of the day and timings were key to its success and although a few matches overran (due to the level of tennis being played and closeness of matches and the longer heat breaks), the timetable worked brilliantly. All players knew in advance of their match formats and what time each category were playing. It takes a lot of effort to organize this tournament and the logistics of 39 players playing over 60 matches all in one day, and everyone who took part was very grateful.
Thanks to everyone for their help and ensuring this day was a great success.
We are pleased to announce the following results of the day:
U8s Mixed:
Winner: Thomas Courtman
Runner Up: Charlie Jacobs
U9s Mixed:
Winner: Theo Dodd
Runner Up: Rory Lauterpacht
U10s Mixed:
Winner: Noah Feldman
Runner Up: Thomas James
U12s Girls:
Winner: Olivia Feldman
Runner Up: Ella Jacobs
U12s Boys:
Winner: Charlie Jacobs
Runner Up: George Parkin
U14s Girls:
Winner: Lucy Howart
Runner Up: Auden Oliviere
U14s Boys:
Winner: Hugo Nicolas
Runner Up: William Behan
U16s Girls:
Winner: Ruby McCabe
Runner Up: Scarlett Bonnington
U16s Boys:
Winner: Henry Martin
Runner Up: Jack Style
Congratulations to all players who took part and to our Winners and Runners-Up who gave all spectators some great tennis. We are lucky to have such fantastic Juniors!
JUNIOR NIGHTS
The Young Juniors session is structured play with the coaches (4:30 to 6pm), while the later (6pm to 8pm) offers older Juniors (11+) the chance to play some matches or just to socialise and have fun with friends. We have a few more weeks of the Summer Term with the last session on Friday 18th July (re-commencing in early September). All junior members are welcome. The bar and snack shop are open, offering hot dogs and sweet snacks.
OTHER NEWS
NEW PADEL TENNIS VENUE
There will be a brand new padel tennis venue this August at Venue 360 in Luton, and they will offer Elliswick members some exclusive benefits to mark the launch.
This will be the first padel facility in Bedfordshire, featuring two world-class, canopy-covered courts. They’re also planning two more venues in Harpenden, coming soon.
Elliswick members can have the below benefits:
- A free intro to padel session for each member with one of their accredited coaches
- A members-only prize draw for 2 hours of free court time – exclusively for our club (ie, 1 Elliswick member guaranteed to win)
- Up to 40% off court bookings via our pre-launch deals
- Entry into our summer draw to win 5 hours of free court time
For more information, please contact:
Alex March, Co-Founder, M: 07367879956, E: [email protected] | padelpass.co.uk/
BUSINESS MENTORING EVENT FOR HARPENDEN BUSINESSES
The Harpenden Town Council is organising a seminar called “Introduction to Business Mentoring” which will take place on Monday 7th July at 6.30pm at Rothamsted Conference Centre. It will be presented by Chris Dunn of the Association of Business Mentors, in partnership with the Hertfordshire Branch of the Institute of Directors and The Harpenden Collective. The seminar is aimed at both potential mentors and potential mentees. Seasoned professionals ready to share their knowledge, who might be seeking a chance to give back, build new networks and help shape the future of local business, will be able to find out about the rewards being a mentor brings. Likewise, the event is for those with a growing business, whether a start-up navigating early challenges or an established company aiming for the next level. At the seminar, you can find out how working with a mentor can provide invaluable insight, strategic advice and a fresh set of eyes on their goals.
The event is free, but a place must be booked by following this link https://harpenden.gov.uk/business-support
For more information, please contact: Nicola Wyeth, Business Support Officer,
Harpenden Town Council, Tel: 01582 768278, Email: [email protected], Direct dial: 01582 463666
Kind Regards
Elliswick LTC Committee
PS, Don’t forget to keep up to date with events at our website http://www.elliswickltc.co.uk and follow our Facebook page as well.