Elliswick LTC Newsletter – March 2022
Dear Members,
Welcome to our March Newsletter. Following the clock change towards the end of this month, the midweek evening sessions have now started. Tuesday is Men’s Night, Wednesday is Ladies Night, and Thursday is Club Night (mixed doubles tennis). All start at 6pm. All members, regardless of playing standard, are very welcome to come along and enjoy these sessions. So don’t be shy! You can even have refreshments at the bar after the evening sessions.
Club Tournament
The draw of the club tournament was published on Friday 25 March 2022 by email to all members and also posted on the notice board together with the contact lists for the participants. Matches up to and including semi-final stage must be played between 26 March 2022 and 19 June 2022. Courts are prioritised for matches at certain times – in particular, a court will be available for booking (only for match purposes), on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights during the tournament period. Players should book courts online in the usual manner – see website for details. Please book matches for 1.5 hours max. Please schedule your matches well in advance of the deadlines in case they get postponed due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
If anyone has to pull out of the competition before their first round is played, please notify Louise Behan. We have a men’s singles player who is on reserve. If on the slim chance a man in the singles has to drop out through injury, covid or something else, we advised him that he can then slip into that position.
Best of luck to all the entrants!
Court Booking System (Clubspark)
If you have any issues with your court booking system, please contact our Club Administrator & Welfare Officer, Andree Haxton at [email protected] who should be able to validate/reactivate your court booking account.
Clubhouse and Grounds
We have engaged a company to create a new planning design and application to replace the existing lights on courts 5 and 6. They have replaced the previous planner and supplier. We will need to consult with our neighbours and elected representatives when we are in the process of applying for planning permission.
Team Tennis
Ladies tennis
The winter season matches are coming to an end and all final results will be announced next month. This summer, we have entered 2 Herts League teams and 4 Hot Rackets teams. If there are any new members who would like to be considered for the teams please email our Ladies Captain, Sue Cove at [email protected]
Many thanks to Lynn for organising the Ladies Friendlies matches again this Summer. If any ladies would like to participate in these friendly matches, please contact Lynn at [email protected]
With the clocks going forward we now look forward to the summer season of matches and Ladies Night begins on the 30th, kindly run again this year by Victoria Aitchison. If anyone would like to be added onto the whatsapp group, please email [email protected] with your contact number.
The team coaching run by Ben and Rupert was very much appreciated so thank you to both Ben and Rupert and hope we can arrange again soon.
Men’s Tennis
Winter matches (Mens Vets) nearly come to an end and summer matches will start in April. We entered 1 team in Herts National League, 5 teams in Herts League and 2 teams in Hot Racket. Anyone wish to be part of the team player, please contact our Mens Captain Rupert Tillbrooke at [email protected]
Mens Nights – Tuesday Nights from 6pm
Any men who are interested in being included in the arranged fixed 4’s, please let Dugie Carlean know directly at [email protected]. Please include your mobile number as Dugie will organise this Mens Night using WhatsApp.
Mixed Team Tennis
East Herts
With winter coming to an end, there has been some great matches. Its very close in the divisions for some of our teams as the last few matches are being played:
1st team in division 1 are 2nd with 1 to play
2nd team have won 2nd division
3rd team in 2nd division having some tough battles fighting to stay up
4th team in division 4A have a few more games to play to know end result
5th team in division 4B with a few games still to play to know end result
Datchworth Summer
3 teams have been entered for Monday night Datchworth leagues starting mid April. Teams are now agreed and the captains have reached out to those players. Fixtures are due out in a couple of weeks
Membership
Our turn-over has been higher than in the last couple of years, with 116 places available at the start of March.
102 of these have been filled already, with the remaining places currently under offer.
We look forward to welcoming all our new members at the New Members’ Day on Sunday April 24th (2-5pm).
However, our waiting list remains high at over 300, and is growing by the day. Don’t forget, if you have other family household members who want to join next year, you must put their names on the waiting list – don’t just assume they can be added in January!
Socials
Please note below our social events scheduled for April and early May 2022.
The bar will also be open during our Social Events.
Bacon rolls for sale on Saturday mornings are to be continued.
Supper Night – Thursday 21st April – Starts at 8pm, bar open from 7:30pm (come rain or shine)
Our dynamic duo super chefs Gill Parkes and Heather Nye will be cooking up some Spanish chicken, salad and pudding. All at £7.50 per person. Please put your names down on the list which is available on the notice board. First comes first served. They will only serve for 40 people.
Junior Night – Starting 22nd April – Volunteers Needed
These sessions will only go ahead if we have adequate volunteers.
Live Music with “Out of the Blue” (Ross and Vicky) – 23rd April
One of our members Ross, together with the talented singer Vicky, will be providing a party atmosphere with live music by playing popular 70s, 80s and 90s dancing/singing songs. £7.50 per person. Bring your own snacks.
New Members Day – 24th April from 2pm to 5pm.
Sunday 1st May is alternative date if weather is poor for on 24th April
An introduction for our new members to the club and to meet some of the committee members and play a couple of games on courts followed by refreshments.
Bank Holiday Tournament – 2nd May
If you would like to take part in this most popular and fun Tournament please put your name down on the signup sheet, which will be posted on the notice board. For more information please contact Jem at [email protected]
The Bank Holiday tournaments are organised for Intermediate 16+ up to senior players and are a great way to meet and play with new people and have some fun! There’s even a chance to win prizes!
Please also put our special additional Bank Holiday Tournament in your diary: June 3rd, during the Queen’s Jubilee holiday weekend.
Theatre Trip
13 of Elliswick members went to see the new Andrew Lloyd-Webber show ‘Cinderella’ in London last week, taking advantage of discounted tickets, kindly organised by Sally Radcliffe. In the summer, we plan to arrange another theatre trip, possibly to see the Life of Pi, if there is enough interest. Please contact Sally for more details.
Juniors
Junior Nights – Starting Friday 22nd April after the Easter break
The bar will be opened (for the parents) and there will also be a tuck shop for our juniors to enjoy.
Times are:
4:30-6pm for young juniors (Primary School Age), who must be supervised by a parent or adult.
6-8pm is for older juniors (Secondary School age). Whilst they do not need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, we do need to ensure we have adult supervision. Unfortunately to date we have not received any volunteers. These sessions will only go ahead if we have adequate volunteers. If you can kindly offer some help, a signup sheet is on the bulletin board or please email our Junior Captain, Ken Michie at [email protected]
Team Tennis Tournament
The Summer Junior Leagues start late April. Thank you to the following Junior Captains for liaising with the clubs and players:
U16 Boys: Ken Michie
U16 Girls: Rob Gardiner
U14 Boys: Amy Martin
U12 Boys: Paul Lucas
UKRANIAN APPEAL
Thank you to those who already donated generously. Please keep it coming to help to those who are in needs.
FUNDRAISING NEWS
A couple of our members (Heather Nye and Jacky Dodd) are raising funds for a new community centre at St John’s, Southdown, by compiling a cookery book. Please submit your tasty favourite recipe. The deadline is 17th April. Please see more details on the notice board in the clubhouse
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.