ELLISWICK LTC NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2026
Welcome to our October Newsletter.
We hope you are continuing to enjoy your tennis as we move into the cooler autumn months and that the recent storms have not dampened your enthusiasm for playing the sport we all love. Our newest courts are in excellent condition and drain very well, allowing members to enjoy tennis throughout the season.
As we look back on another busy month at Elliswick, we are delighted to share club news, achievements, upcoming events, and opportunities to get involved. We hope you enjoy this month’s update and thank you for helping make our club such a friendly, welcoming, and vibrant community.
Happy reading and see you on court!
AGM – 5TH DECEMBER 2026 AT 10:30AM
Preparation for the club’s AGM is well underway. Papers for the AGM including the review of the year, accounts and details of proposed changes to Committee members will be issued on or before 22nd November. If you have any matters that you would like to raise at the AGM, please email our Club’s Secretary, David Kendall at [email protected] no later than 28th November 2026. Please do try to attend this important meeting and support your club. If you cannot attend, it is very important to the club to get as many proxies as possible before the AGM so as to achieve a quorum. If you are not able to attend in person, please do appoint a proxy to ensure that we have a quorum. You can nominate your choice of proxy (which can be the Chairman) by email to [email protected].
LTA MEMBERSHIP
The Club has renewed its membership of the LTA and its liability insurance for 2026/27.
WALKING TENNIS TASTER SESSIONS
We will be running two Walking Tennis taster sessions, each consisting of a 1‑hour session followed by tea and coffee while we gather your feedback.
Walking tennis is playing tennis at a gentler pace. It’s inclusive and open to all.
A slower-paced, low-impact version of tennis where players walk instead of run. A great way to stay active and build your tennis skills. Walking Tennis can be played by everyone. Any age, any ability. Why not come and have a go?
- No running, no jumping
- A fun and relaxed slower version of the game
- Played on either mini/half courts or full-sized courts
- Second bounce permitted
- The perfect way to meet new players
The sessions will be led by Sam Lowe, with support from Alexander Gardiner.
Session dates:
- Monday 2 November, 12:00–13:00
- Thursday 5 November, 10:00–11:00
Please book one taster session only. Each session has a maximum of 8 participants.
For more information, please contact [email protected]. You can book your place using the ELTC course‑booking link site: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ElliswickLawnTennisClub/Coaching
DIP BETWEEN COURTS 2 AND 3
Members are advised that there is an uneven surface between Courts 2 and 3. Following a recent court inspection, a number of additional surface issues were identified. The hot summer weather has caused ground movement, and as a result Court 3 is no longer suitable for league or competitive match play. However, the court remains available for coaching sessions and social tennis.
Please also take extra care during the winter months and in wet weather, as the concrete pathway at the end of Courts 1–3 can become slippery.
Members use the courts at their own risk and should ensure that any guests they invite are made aware of these surface conditions. Safety remains our priority, and we thank everyone for their understanding and cooperation.
FREE BENCHES
We have a number of benches available free of charge for members to collect. They are currently stored behind the clubhouse in the rear car park. If you are interested, please contact Andree Haxton at [email protected].
PERSONAL DETAILS IN CLUBSPARKS
Please complete and update your personal details in Clubspark by logging into your Elliswick LTC Account using the link below.
If you are already signed in, please sign out and then back in again.
|
Select “Your Account” top right. You should then see a page called your profile. Please update all your details and use the save button at the bottom.
MEMBERS CHARITY CHRISTMAS LUNCH – TUESDAY 1ST DECEMBER 2026 AT 12PM
This year marks the first time we are opening our Christmas Lunch to all members, replacing the long‑standing Ladies Christmas Lunch tradition. With Tuesday Ladies Mornings now transitioned to Mixed Tennis due to low attendance, it feels the right moment to bring everyone together for a shared festive celebration. This will be a Bring‑a‑Dish Lunch, with attendees making a £7 charity donation, which includes a mince pie and a glass of mulled wine.
Our Members Charity Christmas Lunch will be raising funds for Harpenden Hopper, a local service close to the hearts of many at Elliswick. Several of our members volunteer for the charity, and we are delighted to support their work through this year’s Christmas appeal. We are hoping that many of you could attend this event. Please click on the following link to sign up https://forms.gle/SUbw6FjYJohY5g2K7
For more information, please email Andree Haxton at [email protected]
GROUNDS & CLUBHOUSE
A Fire Risk Assessment was carried out by Fireguard Services in September 2026, and Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) was completed on all plug-in electrical appliances in October 2026, helping to ensure the clubhouse remains safe and compliant for members and visitors.
TEAM TENNIS
Our Winter Vets fixtures are now well underway, with team captains in each age group organising matches through to April 2027. Good luck to everyone braving the colder months — we hope you enjoy some great tennis.
We are currently looking for additional players for our Men’s 40B Team. If you are interested in representing Elliswick this season or would like to find out more about what is involved, please contact our Men’s Captain, Mark Behan, at [email protected]. New players are always welcome, and your support would be greatly appreciated. We look forward to hearing from you!
We are looking for members to help captain our Ladies’ Summer League teams next season. Captaining is a rewarding way to support the club, organise fixtures, and encourage team spirit.
If you are interested in helping, please contact our Ladies’ Captain, Rachel Hoddinott, at [email protected]. Thank you for considering helping the club continue to run its successful Ladies’ teams.
Over 70s Herts League Ladies Team
As Elliswick LTC was unable to field its own ladies Over-70s team, our players joined forces with Radlett Ladies to compete in the Herts Veterans League. The partnership proved highly successful, with the team finishing top of the league and winning its only division. We are delighted to recognise the contribution of the following Elliswick players:
Jenny Sheridan, Margaret Benson and Jenny Stevenson
Congratulations to all three ladies on this outstanding achievement. We are very proud of your success and excellent representation of the club.
Herts County Over 70s Team
We are also delighted to celebrate an additional achievement by Jenny Sheridan, who represented the Hertfordshire County Over-70s team against other county sides during the summer season. Jenny won all of her matches, helping Hertfordshire secure an impressive second-place finish, narrowly behind Middlesex in the top division. Congratulations, Jenny, on a remarkable season and a wonderful achievement for both Hertfordshire and Elliswick LTC.
MIXED TEAM TENNIS
DATCHWORTH
The Autumn Datchworth League is now nearing its end, with just a couple of matches left to play. Several of our teams have already battled through some tough early encounters against very strong opposition — and have earned some excellent wins along the way. The league runs until early‑November 2026. A huge thank you to our captains for coordinating teams for these weekly matches. Please see below for the latest results from our Datchworth teams.
| TEAMS | CAPTAINS | DIVISION | POSITION |
| 1ST | ALEXANDER GARDINER | 1 | 4TH |
| 2ND | SAM LOWE | 3 | 2ND |
| 3RD | MICHAEL TIMMINS | 4 | 1ST |
| 4TH | ALAISTAIR TYLER | 6 | 5TH |
EAST HERTS WINTER MIXED
The Winter Mixed competition has started with Captains finalising some their fixtures through to April 2026. Team captains Alexander Gardiner, Rob Gardiner, Rachel Hoddinott, Ainsley Radgman, Rob Edwards and Mark Way have been in touch with their squads to confirm availability for the season ahead.
Each team will play between five and six matches over the course of the competition, and we wish all our players the very best of luck for a successful and enjoyable season.
SOCIALS
Our Macmillan Coffee Morning raised an impressive £804.45 — a fantastic achievement for such a worthwhile cause. Thank you to everyone who supported us so generously.
The ever-popular Carol Arnsby was back to host our Quiz Night on Saturday 17th October. It was a lively, well-attended evening, enjoyed by everyone who took part.
Looking ahead, we have a fantastic line-up of events for the remainder of the year. We hope as many members as possible will be able to join us for these celebrations.
Events in November
Saturday 14th November – Lulu and the Hullabaloos – https://forms.gle/fzR2HJ3vnAXwL9DG8
Join us for a brilliant evening of live music and great company!
Events in December 2026
Tuesday 1st December – Members’ Charity Christmas Lunch – https://forms.gle/SUbw6FjYJohY5g2K7
Saturday 5th December – AGM – PLEASE ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT MEETING AND SUPPORT YOUR CLUB
Saturday 19th December – Festive Music & Magic Evening –
Tim Sutton and the Upbeat Choir will be bringing festive cheer to this special evening, organised by Sally Radcliffe in support of Future Academy, helping to make a difference to the lives of refugee children in Beirut. Tickets are still available to purchase for this event.
We look forward to seeing lots of you at these fantastic events as we round off another busy year at Elliswick!
SAVE THE DATE : THEATRE TRIP – THURSDAY 21ST JANUARY AT 2:30PM
Sally Radcliffe is organising a Group Trip to Pride (the musical) at the Bridge Theatre
• Band A tickets £49 each ( usually £99)
• Message Sally (07966 890992) to book your place and pay by 05/11/26
Please put all those dates in your busy diaries. If you have any queries regarding any of the social events, please contact our Super Social Secretary, Jane Bisseker, at [email protected]
JUNIORS
HERTS. NATIONAL WINTER LEAGUE
Some of our junior teams have now begun their Herts National Winter League matches. A few teams faced tough opposition in their opening fixtures, while others impressed with strong performances and wins across all their matches. Thank you to all the captains for their time and effort in arranging all the matches and good luck to all our junior teams who are representing the club to play their matches in the cold winter months.
OTHER NEWS
POPPY APPEAL
A reminder that the annual Poppy Appeal is running until 11 November (Remembrance Day). A Poppy tray is located in the clubhouse and donations can be made by cash in the collecting tin or online by scanning the QR code on the Poppy tray. Please support your local Poppy Appeal, which over the past year has raised more than £30,000 in support of members of the armed forces and their families.
CHRISTMAS EVE 6PM – 7PM – COMMUNITY CAROL SINGING – AT HARPENDEN COMMON, BESIDE THE HARPENDEN ARMS
Please join some of our members who will sing carols and Christmas songs together on Christmas Eve led by our talented musicians Tim Sutton, supported by the Harpenden Trust, and there will be an opportunity to donate to the Harpenden Trust Christmas Appeal.
SAVE THE DATE : CEILIDH AND BURNS NIGHT SUPPER – 23 JANUARY 2027
Looking for a fun night out to brighten up the winter months? Join the Ceilidh and Burns Night Supper at Wheathampstead Memorial Hall on Saturday 23 January 2027. Organised by Harpenden Lions in aid of Herts Young Homeless, the evening will feature a live band, caller, bar, and plenty of dancing. Tickets are £25 and include a ploughman’s supper, haggis bonbons and a whisky shot. A great evening for a worthy cause! More details to follow.
RACKET STRINGING SERVICES
Some of our members, including Nigel Croft, Andy Barker and Richard Courtman, offer racket stringing services. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with any of them if you have any queries.
Angie (non-member) also offers professional electronic racket stringing on her advanced Babolat machine, used by players at the French Open that was sold off after the event as Babolat did not want it back, suitable for all racket brands. A range of strings is available. For enquiries, contact Angie on 07884 184477 (based in Essendon).
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.