HEMYOCK TENNIS CLUB - Newsletter
I hope that all members and their families had a good summer and managed to get in plenty of tennis.
The summer league matches have now been completed, and the club committee would like to express their thanks to the club captains for their commitment and hard work over the course of the season. A big thank-you to Paul Roy (Men’s), Malcolm Steer (mixed A), and Ian Jeeves (mixed B) and also many thanks all those players that represented Hemyock Tennis Club over the summer months.
The men finished in 4th spot with a creditable 37 points, the mixed B finished in 6th place in Division 5 with a respectable 45 ½ points. Sadly mixed A have been relegated from Division 3, but shouldn’t feel despondent many of their matches were extremely close, but tennis scoring is notoriously cruel. Full league position details are available on the club website.
We now move towards darker evenings and the return of colder weather but the new all-weather surface and great LED lights should help us continue playing unhindered and we are planning a number of friendly matches over the autumn, winter and spring.
Wiveliscombe and Wellington have once more responded positively to our request, and Upottery will also feature. We have also had a favourable response from Sidmouth TC so there should be plenty of good matches.
The winter friendlies are an ideal opportunity for members who may be reluctant to play league tennis to have a go at some competitive tennis. The club are very keen to increase the ‘pool’ of players that play at league level, and we understand that to represent the club at league level may be daunting initially, but the best way to combat the nerves is to have a go. Look out for further information of times and dates as they become available, but be sure to tell any committee member if you would like to take part.
The men will again enter a team in Division 1 of Culm and Exe Valleys winter league.
We are aware of occasional problems accessing the Longmead pavilion, and hope to discuss this with the Longmead management committee and improve the situation. We believe the combination lock on the courts has proved trouble free, but if problems have been experienced, please let a committee member know.
We will again run the ‘Mulled wine and mince pies’ tennis afternoon – the event has been planned for 17th November. We will of course send out reminders nearer the time. We will also hold a Christmas social ‘skittles’ event (and maybe a quiz too) in early January. This proved popular earlier this year, and being in January doesn’t clog up the Christmas calendar.
There’s some interest in the club arranging an internal competition for 2020. Quite what format this might take is yet to be determined but if you have any suggestions please discuss them with a committee member. Many local tennis clubs kick off their season with an open competition - it’s a way of raising the profile and reminding everyone to dust off their racket as well as raising a little cash. Again, the committee welcome ideas.
Your committee is;
Julie Steed (Chair), Jerry Popham (Treasurer), Bob Hawkes (Secretary), Rachel Bussell (Welfare Officer), Tim Julier, Suzy Besant, Lucy Tonkin, Phil Cooper.
Just a reminder about club sessions
CLUB SESSIONS. The club weekly sessions are:
Thursday: Mixed Club Night from 6.30 pm onwards
Saturday: Mixed Club morning from 10.00 am onwards
Sunday: Mixed Club morning (Team Practice) l0.30 am onwards
Wednesday: A more informal mixed session. 10.30 am onwards
Finally, don’t forget about the WhatsApp group that helps keep members in touch (for example when weather is changeable or if play can be arranged earlier than planned). If you’d like to join, contact the secretary.
Information about the club, events, news, competitions and tennis tips are available on the club website at
https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/Hemyocktennisclub.
NON-MEMBERS AND VISITORS. The courts may be booked by non-members at the Spar shop in Hemyock. Charges are £8 per hour for seniors and £4 per hour for juniors. Tokens for the floodlights are available at £2 for each half hour.
Bob Hawkes, Secretary 07540 435149 bob.hawkes18@btinternet.com or hemyocktennisclub@outlook.com