A few words of introduction .... I have been a member for 28 years since I migrated to Northampton in 1992 to work for Travis Perkins, I have played quite a few Men’s and Mixed matches over the years most often recently with Mark Gillinson and Dan Baines...thank you for carrying me guys! My lovely wife Sarah is also often seen at Steve's Thursday Ladies morning and Tom did a good job of coaching my children Ben and Tom.

The club is in a good place in many ways (including financially) and this is in no small part to the efforts of Gareth and those on the committee and other dedicated helpers. Gareth's swan song was organising the clubhouse refurbishment including easier access to the bar. Gareth thank you for your years of excellent chairmanship! (sorry we failed to get the duckweed out of the lake!)

Following the AGM a reminder of your committee...Long servers Aileen Major (Treasurer), Margaret Green (Secretary), Jim Fowler (Legal), James Haley (Coaching and Grounds), Gareth Cox (Membership), also new recruits Tom Stevenson (Marketing) and Sam Reynolds (Safeguarding) have added to the already strong team. A big thanks also to Lisa Hodges Cox (clubhouse refurb and social media) Dan Baines (Bar) Fran Ransford (finance) who also contribute a lot behind the scenes, not forgetting Jim White (Groundsman) who is keeping the courts and grounds in great shape and Leanne Peach who does a great job on the cleaning.

We are poised to sign an enhanced 5 year deal with James Haley and the team at Tennis 4 All. I value the success that the coaching has brought the club...and yes from popular request we have tweaked the number of courts available to coaching (and therefore members) at peak times!

We are about to sign up to have Court 2 refurbished (no more crater), we also aim to get Court 3 repainted at the same time.

In addition we are about to sign at least 2 court sponsorship deals and are assisted in our marketing by Ben from Third Avenue Creative. More Sponsorship deals for courts are being developed with proceeds targeted at the long run replacement of courts 5, 6, and 7.

The club championships are well under way...please play your matches in good time for Finals day on Sunday September 13th...food and drink will be available, we are hoping for an excellent supporter turnout! More details to follow...

It has been brilliant to see the club so busy over the last few months with many matches played and busy summer camps. Jason Shanks' s excellent box league is going well with the round 2 deadline of September 6th. My win loss ratio is not good but I have already had 7 excellent matches.

We now have the winter leagues matches to look forward to, many thanks to all the unsung hero team captains who make it all happen!

I look forward to enjoying the club with you for many years to come, exciting times ahead!

Best Regards

Paul Hampden Smith  

Dallington Lawn Tennis Club