Chantry Tennis Club 2023 season newsletter

 

Dear Chantry Member,

 

Thank you all very much for your support last season.

 

I have set out in this letter a number of arrangements for this season.

 

2023 MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTIONS

 

At the AGM in March it was agreed that, notwithstanding the current rate of inflation, there will be no increase on the 2022 subscriptions in view of the income the club will be receiving for the use of our courts for festivals this year . Subscriptions will therefore remain as follows:

 

            Family:                        £220 if paid by 31st May and thereafter £240

            Adult:                          £110 if paid by 31 May and thereafter £120

            Over 70:                     £95 if paid by 31 May and thereafter £100

            25/FT student:            £60

            Under 18:                   £35

            Visitor fee:                  £3

 

 

THE COMMITTEE

 

Following the 103rd AGM on 13 March the members of the committee are now as follows:

 

President:                                  Alan Holland 

Chair of Committee:               Nick East

Secretary:                                  Di Furbank

Treasurer:                                  Ian Hardy

Membership Secretary:          Amy Eddy

Clubhouse:                              Alan Holland

Match Secretary:                     Dave Eddy

Match Captain (Ladies):         Sarah Whigham 

Match Captains (Mens):         Dave Eddy

Sec Social:                                 John Hall

Grounds Committee:              Dave Eddy

Welfare and Safeguarding

Officer:                                      Alice Rees

Fundraising/ Partnerships:    Chris Harris

Liaison with Moseley Park
& Pool Trust:                            Mark Eftichiou

Members of committee:        Miguel King and Ana Poveda John Eddy

  

I would like to thank all the committee members for the tremendous amount of work and support during the last year. A huge amount of time and effort goes into running the club, a lot of which goes unseen.

 

As most of you will know we sadly lost two committee members in the last year. Kathryn and Guy both made tremendous contributions to the club and are greatly missed.

 

THE COURTS

 

Dave, in conjunction with our groundsman Nathan, has worked exceptionally hard in removing  moss from the five courts and preparing the courts for the new season. This process took longer than usual in view of the exceptionally wet conditions this year.

 

Dave has asked that we should all ensure when using the courts:

 

• The courts are dragged after use.  Please use the drag nets or a broom to smooth off the court, being careful not to snag and pull out the lines.
• During dry conditions the courts should be watered before use.  On each set of courts is a hosepipe.  Turn on the tap at the fixed end and twist the brass nozzle towards the court.  Please be sure to stow the hose out of the way and turn off the tap after use. 
• For health and safety reasons the courts must not be used if excessively wet and soft or covered in surface water. Please think very carefully about starting or continuing play in wet conditions. A couple of years ago an opposing team member slipped on court in wet conditions and badly dislocated his shoulder.

 

There is no booking system for the courts, but priority is to be given as follows:

 

1. For matches.  This season matches will again be played on the two match courts.
2. Mens match practice, which takes place on Monday night from 18:00 and Saturday morning between 11:00 and 13:00.
3. Ladies match practice, which takes place on Tuesday night from 18:00.
4. Adult coaching, which takes place on Thursday night from 18:00.
5. Social tennis, which takes place on Sunday at 16:00

 

Courts should be available for social play on the dates/times of the events referred to above.

 

The use of the courts will  be restricted during the Jazz & Folk Festivals.  These festivals are a vital source of revenue for the club. Without the festivals the subscriptions for membership would need to be doubled or possibly trebled. The use of the courts during the festivals has been the subject of  lively debate by  Committee members. This year  no club matches are scheduled when any courts are unavailable. Also, unlike last year, court 3 will be available for use by the club during the Jazz Festival.

 

The Jazz Festival is from Friday 7 July to Sunday 9 July and the match courts will be unavailable for use by club members from 4 July to 13 July.

 

The Folk Festival is from Friday 1 September to Sunday 3 September. In addition UB40 are playing a concert on Sunday 27 August. The match courts will be unavailable for use by club members from 23 August to 8 September and Court 3 will be unavailable from 24 August to 6 September.

 

Arrangements for playing tennis during the festivals will be provided nearer the time.  Chris Harris, the committee member who is our link with the  organisers of the festivals, will ensure there is access to available courts for any members who wish to play.

 

 

TEAMS

 

Last season was a period of consolidation for most of our teams following promotion for some of our teams in the last couple of years. All teams performed well, none were relegated, and the ladies team won their division in the Mets league and were promoted.

 

This season we will have 3 mens teams, a ladies team and a mixed team in the Metropolitan League as well as 2 mens teams and 2 ladies  teams in the Birmingham League.

 

 

A list of all this season’s matches is on the website and on the noticeboard in the clubhouse. We have 70 matches which is an enormous number for a club of our size. Anyone wishing to join in with team play should contact the respective team captains Dave and  Whig.

 

TOURNAMENTS

 

These are the dates for your diary:

 

Rose Bowl tournament Sunday 14th May 1pm – a short ‘round robin’ mixed doubles tournament with a corkscrew handicap and a ‘bring and share’ tea.

 

Ladies and mens and mixed doubles handicapped tournaments 22 July.

 

Mixed Doubles handicapped tournament 23 July.

 

President’s Plate tournament Sunday 17th September  – short ‘round robin’ separate ladies and men doubles tournaments with a corkscrew handicap.

 

Ladies and mens singles tournaments 30 September.

 

Congratulations to all who took part last year and to our worthy winners:

 

Mens Singles                            Rob

Ladies Singles                           Whig

Mens Doubles                         Mark and Ian

Ladies Doubles                        Georgia and Vanessa

Mixed Doubles                         John Eddy and Charlotte

Presidents Plate Men             Mark

Presidents Plate Ladies           Whig

Rosebowl Men                         Nick

Rosebowl Ladies                      Whig and Vanessa

Mens Singles Plate                   Cameron

Ladies Singles Plate                 Amelia

ADULT GROUP COACHING

 

We are very pleased that our excellent LTA coach, Rollie Wilson, will continue as Club Coach. 

 

Rollie’s group coaching sessions have already re-started and will take place on Thursdays at 18:00.  These sessions are a great way of improving your skills, keeping fit and meeting members of the club.

 

Private lessons are also available with Rollie.

  

Rollie can be contacted on 07768840501.

 

SOCIAL TENNIS

 

 Social tennis will take place on Sundays at 16.00. Players of all standards are encouraged to turn up and play.

 

We remain keen for members to make full use of the courts and bring friends and relatives to play as visitors. It is only £3 to bring a guest to play and hopefully they subsequently feel tempted to join.

  

Last season we had a number of very enjoyable and well attended social functions including a summer barbecue hosted by Erin and Paul, a coffee and cake morning which raised £1126.25 for Macmillan, a Christmas meal and a presentation evening. Details of social events for this season will be circulated in due course.

 

 

PARK ACCESS

 

It is a requirement in our Lease that our members are legitimate users of Moseley Park.

Please note the requirements set out in the  membership application form.

 

I look forward to seeing you on court.

 

Nick
Chair