HEMYOCK TENNIS CLUB News & AGM Announcement
Once more it’s the weather that’s taken centre stage. Two of the three friendlies in December were cancelled due to rain, although we did manage a very enjoyable home match against Wiveliscombe. The January 15th friendly against Upottery squeezed into just about the only dry evening for a while, so we were lucky with that one, and again those involved had an enjoyable game.
The club sponsored a Christmas tree in the St Mary’s ‘Festival of Trees’ in December. Thanks particularly to Paul Steed, and to Karen Steer for some innovative tennis related decorations for the tree, and to Neil Buckingham for supplying three wooden rackets to make use of. All monies raised in the festival went towards the upkeep of St Mary’s Church.
On Friday 10th January, we held our annual ‘Christmas Social’ event at the Catherine Wheel. Around 25 attended, and enjoyed a buffet supper, a couple of hands of skittles and a quiz (kindly provided and run by Jerry). Jerry was particularly adept at fielding the ‘abuse’ that accompanied the occasional dispute. Ian Jeeves top scored at skittles (21) and Suzy, Andy, Karen, Malcolm, Karen, Sue, & Fliss were on the winning quiz table. There was also a game of ‘killer’ skittles, mismanaged excellently by me, which Julie Steed eventually won. Thanks to Rachel Bussell for arranging the event, everyone had a very pleasant and sociable evening.
During the course of the evening, the ’40 Club’ draw was made, and the winners were as follows;
£200 - Ross Emerson
£100 each – P Witter & B Gillett
£50 each – B Roberts & Rob Stopford
Congratulations to the winners, better luck next time to everyone else.
There has been a security issue that has forced us to change the combinations on the court padlock and the key safe. All members should have been advised of the new codes, but if any member has problems and hasn’t received the code, then contact details are below.
Your committee met on January 6th. Apart from the usual club management issues, a great deal of time was spent considering future actions that would focus on a) recruiting new members, and b) retaining as many members as possible. When making these decisions, it’s important to know what members think about the club, so to that end, Phil has devised a short survey which will shortly be sent out to members, and a modified version which will be sent to ex members.
We will communicate results, actions, decisions, information, etc. etc. in newsletters and notices over the coming weeks.
The committee pencilled in March 26th as the date for the 2020 AGM. We’d like as many to attend as possible. As usual, it will be held in the Longmead Pavilion at 8.00 pm.
Fixture dates for club friendly matches (all 6.30 start);
January 22nd Wellington (Away)
February 5th Wellington (Home)
February 12th Upottery (Home)
February 19th Wellington (Away)
February 26th Wellington (Home)
March 11th Upottery (Home)
If you’d like to play in any of the above matches, contact Bob Hawkes or indeed any committee member. For those who have not yet experienced competitive tennis, they are a good ‘taster’.
Your committee are;
Julie Steed (Chair), Jerry Popham (Treasurer), Bob Hawkes (Secretary), Rachel Bussell (Welfare Officer), Tim Julier, Suzy Besant, Lucy Jefferson, Phil Cooper.
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.
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