Following the Christmas and Spring newsletters this is an update:

PLAYING

Courts 6 and 7 clay courts

Some players have noticed some curious lumps appearing about the size of a golf ball or smaller. I have discussed this with Steve Kennard who installed the courts. Apparently small flakes of loose tarmac can remain on the court which are not noticed when the carpet is added. When the carpet settles the lump appears. They treat this by warming the surface and them tamping the lump. He will do this free of charge. As for maintenance the sand (yes, it is sand not clay) tends to pile up under the net and around the fence. In our case the sand is contaminated with twigs and leaves and it is not practical to separate it. His suggestion is the have the courts mechanically brushed and more sand added. It seems sensible to do this in the spring.

While on the subject of the clay courts, behind them the woods have been cleared and there is the start of a petanque area. 

Finals Day

As ever this was superbly organised special thanks to Kim and Heather for the play and Helen Jenkins and her team for the social and catering and Mike Sturla and Dave Paine for the BBQ.

Playing success

A more detailed description will be presented at the AGM but the highlights are Mixed 3, midweek mixed 1 and Ladies midweek 1 who all won their divisions – congratulations to them.

Box Leagues

Gavin has had to retire from this due to work and family commitments. A big thank you to him for setting it up and sorting out the wrangles with the IT and the LTA (and some players!). Well done Gavin, Stefan Martin has gallantly stepped up. Thank you, Stefan.

Ball machine

This is now in a small shed behind the clubhouse.

Maintenance 

Thanks to David Paine and all the 30 or so who have helped with this. It is cohesive and helps keep membership subs low. 

CHARITY

It has been a longstanding tradition at the club that the chairman chooses a charity. For the last 10 years or so I have supported Hungry Hearts. They meet every Monday and Wednesday evening outside All Saints church to look after the homeless of Maidstone. (They are in Medway on other nights).  

With the support of the tennis club we have taken this to another level. Money raised at the Ball, raffle and golf day including the auction of a golf day at the London Club have raise in excess of £2,500. This has meant that Andy from HH has been able to help even more people. Thanks to all who organised the Golf day, the Ball, and to Terry McGinty who has mobilised the Bearsted Footie group as well as the secret auction.

THE BAR

We have installed 3 new drinks fridges, a glass washer and re-configured the sink area. Special thanks to Trevor Norris. 

My understanding is that the glass washer is not used as much as we anticipated – could I encourage members to give it a try – especially at busy times. 

The bar is now stocked with more drink than Tesco. It is the social hub of the club – thanks to Alan and Helen Jenkins who hired a truck to replenish stocks.

THE CLUB ROOM

The club room now has heaters in the ceiling, new down lighters, a new trophy cabinet and has been redecorated. More importantly it is open to all members, not just to those with keys.

DISABLED ACCESS

I’m pleased to report that we have delivered on this. The ramp is in place, and the disabled toilet is completed. We just need to add a safety rail to the ramp which will look a bit like scaffold tubing. This was project managed mostly by Kim; It has cost about £24,000 which is about a third of the total subscription income of the club in a year. We have had to postpone other capital projects notably the installation of LED lighting to another year. Having initially offered to assist the Parish Council have rowed back as have the sports council. So, yes it has been funded totally by members – thank you all.

NAGGING

It is with a heavy heart that I add this paragraph. Members have contacted me to say litter has been left on the courts and chewing gum on the seats. Do I really need to reiterate that this is unacceptable – apparently, I do. Please be more considerate.

While on this subject did you know that Kim moves all the wheelie bins from the club to the front of his house for collection every week. (the bin lorries don’t go down the landway).

Enjoy your tennis
Richard Laurent
Club Chair