© 2008 SLTC

Welcome to the 2008 Sissinghurst Tennis Club newsletter. Myself and various

committee members will attempt to keep you all informed of the various bits of news from last year and the planned events for this coming season. My strength, unlike our previous chairman, is not the written word so apologies in advance.

 

Many thanks to the above mentioned retired chairman, Andrew Davidson, for the time, effort and commitment he gave to the club. May he enjoy his new found leisure time honing his evil backhand slice dropshot, with which he has frustrated many. A big thank you to Diane Tubman, who has been a  supportive committee member and previous treasurer.

I would like to welcome Lisa Stockton and Rob Beck onto the committee. Lisa has taken over the running of the club’s 2nd team, and Rob, by popular request, has volunteered to run a quiz night this autumn. Previous  evenings have been very popular and great fun, so look out for tickets later in the year.

 

We have had a fairly quiet year on the  maintenance front. Routine niggles and regular maintenance has been overseen by John Mansell, our thanks to him for keeping on top of any problems. There are two new practice nets available for club members. They are padlocked to the inside of the courts and can be unlocked using the club key.

 

The LTA loan that was taken out by the club in 1999 to resurface the courts has now been repaid. Our thanks to all the club members who stood as guarantors and whose responsibilities have now been discharged. One of the conditions of the loan was to increase the club membership fees annually to ensure a sufficiently large sinking fund to cover any future expense. The committee plan to take advice on the costs and time frame involved for future work and to freeze the fees if at all

possible.

 

Please take note of the events planned for this year. As before, we are concentrating on tennis based social events (except the Quiz Night). Last year the two ‘draw-a-partner’ events were very popular and well supported so keep an eye on the notice boards and the web site for news; www.sissinghursttennis.net. The combination of picnic lunch, refreshments and nail-bitingly good tennis over the Finals Weekend proved irresistible to many club members and was very well attended, so we will be sticking to the same formula. The AGM dinner was held at the Bull pub for the 2nd year running and was a big success again. Rather than sit on our laurels, we will ring the changes for 2009 - plans are  already afoot.

 

The LTA British Tennis are offering tremendous support to clubs to help them expand their junior tennis. Are there any keen, enthusiastic members who would like to take on the responsibility of organizing and co-ordinating the juniors? This seems to be a wonderful opportunity for our younger members so a big plea to you all on their behalf. Christine and Suzanne would be happy to offer advice, and the committee would be very supportive of any initiative. Please contact me for further

information.

 

I’d like to close by encouraging you all to play lots and lots of tennis by entering the Club competitions, Cup tournaments and Wednesday night open evenings, as well as booking and

using the courts to the full. Do contact me - any suggestions, ideas and even grumbles will be happily received.

 

Julie Comet

 

 

“GOSS FROM THE BOSS “