Welcome! Here is another FRLTC update!

Forthcoming Social Events

Mark your diaries with these upcoming events:

• 25 April: Games evening in the Pavilion
• 9 May: Quiz night
• 18 May: American tournament*
• 29 June: Humphries Cup*
• 14 September: American tournament with barbeque*

The annual knock-out tennis competition will take place from May to September as usual (more details to follow separately).

The ladder will refresh at the start of the new membership year (1st April).

[*Let a committee member know if you would like to help with organising any of these please].

Club Sessions Update

Our Club sessions are:

• 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays: Open to all players.
• 7-9 p.m. Tuesdays: For more advanced players by invitation (please contact David 07986 710 631).
• A new daytime session on Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., open to all players. Starting in April with the new season. Please note that this session will not run when there are tennis holiday camps on, but during those weeks there may be the option to move it to Fridays.
• Thursdays 6-8 p.m.: Open to all players.
• Sunday 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Open to all players, often with tea, coffee, cake, and chat.

Please ensure you pay £1 per person to cover lighting costs for evening sessions. This can be done in cash or online on the same evening. Failure to do so may result in a £5 donation to the club's finances!

Weald League Update

Division 1 - Mixed   Played 1, Won 1, Drawn 0, Lost 0

Division 2 - Men's    Played 2, Won 0, Drawn 0, Lost 

Division 2 - Ladies   Played 3, Won 0, Drawn 2, Lost 

Division 3 - Mixed   Played 2, Won 0, Drawn 1, Lost 

Over 55s Ladies  The Over 55s ladies team are having a great winter season. They have played four matches, winning 4-0 against Haywards Heath and Horsted Keynes, 3-1 against Crowborough and recently drew 2-2 in a very close match against Tunbridge Wells.

Weald Lawn Tennis League website

George Ross Coaching Update

Mondays: Michael Hall mums' (8:30 AM), junior orange ball (4-5 PM), and yellow ball teens (5-6 PM). Rusty Rackets session (6:15-7:15 PM).

Wednesdays: Brambletye ladies' (8:30-10 AM), followed by tea and coffee.

Thursdays: Another Brambletye group (8:30-10 AM), followed by an intermediate and advanced session.

Fridays: Michael Hall parents' (8:30-9:45 AM), followed by tea and coffee. An Upper School Michael Hall group (4:30 PM), and two junior coaching sessions (5:30-7 PM).

Contact form

Welcome to Heather Ferreira-Cole, Safeguarding Officer 

Hello Everyone, my name is Heather and I have taken on the Welfare Officer role at the tennis club.

In these changing times safeguarding has become a really important feature of any institution, tennis clubs included. So I am delighted to be on board and able to help out.

I am originally from a small but rather vibrant village outside Salisbury so feel rather excited to be part of the very vibrant Forest Row.

I am a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor by profession so  have some awareness of safeguarding already as well as (hopefully!) good listening skills and confidentiality requirements.

The LTA documentation, which is now being uploaded onto our website, is very in-depth and sets out a framework of standards the LTA expects from a club whether it is large or small so you may see some new posters in the club house and a little confidentiality box for anyone who can't contact me by phone but wants to talk.

There is nothing in the documentation that is outside of the realm of being a respectful human living within a diverse and inclusive community so I expect I will be mostly twiddling my thumbs here in Forest Row! But please do say hello if you see me about. I look forward to slowly getting to know you all.

My telephone number is: 07952777418

Please feel free to log it in your phones in case you ever feel the need to contact me.

FRLTC Annual General Meeting

This is an important part of the club calendar, required by our constitution, and this year is happening on 27th March(8pm in the bar at the clubhouse), just before the new season starts (1st April). Key points:

• The AGM will cover regular business, including the Chairman's report, financial statements, election of an auditor, setting of subscriptions, and the election of officers*.
• A special resolution to address changing the legal status of the FR Sports Ground Association so that this is reflected in the FRLTC constitution.
• A second special resolution relating to changing the legal status of FRLTC itself (the committee has been reviewing this over the past couple of years).
• A separate email will follow with the details of what is proposed and why.

Miscellaneous / Reminders

***NEW MEMBERSHIP YEAR*** starts on 1st April. Subscription rates are not changing this year. Remember to renew early please!

Moss clearing: the autumn treatment seems to be holding up very well but let a committee member know if you have any concerns.

Ball recycling: Marc is negotiating with a new supplier, hopefully our old balls will be recycled and used to make shoes.

First aid: The defibrillator has been fitted with new pads and a new first aid kit is on order. Please notify a committee member if anything is amiss.

***Sports Ground Association General Meeting***: 26 February 8 p.m. important General Meeting of the FRSGA, covering changing the legal status of the FRSGA to a CIO. We need members to attend, as this is very important for the tennis club!

Club WhatsApp groups: there are social tennis and ladder WhatsApp groups. Get in touch with one of the committee if you want to join these.

Leaf blowing: The blower can be used at any time by members. Instructions for the blower are on the club notice board. Any questions, contact Alan.

Guest fees: Please remember to pay the £5 fee per guest into the wall safe or pay online (details on the website).

Floodlights for winter evenings: Any member may use the lights (£1 for 20 minutes), payable with £1 coins in the meters on the wall to the right of the sink in the Club Room.

Lost property: Please collect any belongings from the clubhouse promptly, or they may be donated to a local charity shop.

FRLTC is run by its members for its members. If you would like to contribute to the club as part of the committee or by volunteering for a specific aspect of the club or a particular event such as the forthcoming social events or tournaments, please get in touch with any member of the committee.