Ledbury Tennis Club - March News Update

Membership Renewal 

Renewals for 2022 will take place from 1st April and you will be sent an invitation during March with a link which will take you to the website to renew your membership. Subs will be due on 1st April and payment will be by the same method as last year as a one-off direct debit. Thank you for your support with paying this way.

A £5 per annum increase this year applies to both Adult and Weekday memberships, which continue to offer exceptional value for money to enjoy our courts, clubhouse facilities and grounds.   Full details of the new membership subscription rates will be available on the club webside shortly.

For any membership queries, please note the new email address:  ledburytcmembership@gmail.com

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Wildflower Seeds
We have ordered some to be sown in the next fortnight. If you wish to donate any of your own wildflower seeds, please put them in the box in the clubhouse.

March 25th Celebration Dinner at the Feathers
46 of us now confirmed attending. The Feathers can accommodate a few more, but please contact Ann Hume immediately if you’d like to join us (annwhume@gmail.com). Payment and menu choices must be finalised by Friday 11th March. 

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Coaching

• Easter Holiday Junior Tennis Camps at Manor Park, Malvern.  Tuesday to Friday 5 - 8 April  &  Monday to Thursday 11 - 14 April
  Our club’s coaching partner, Malvern Tennis Academy will be running these popular sessions for youngsters during the Easter Holiday period. The sessions will take place on the outdoor acrylic courts at Manor Park, with the potential to go indoors if the weather is very extreme. Sessions for children aged 4 to 7 and 8 to 16 run on both weeks. 
  Full details at https://www.malverntennisacademy.com/holiday-tennis
   
• Adult Beginners Coaching -
  Commencing Saturday 30 April for 3 weeks - Three one hour sessions from 12.30 to 1.30 p.m. at Ledbury.  This is open to non-members, so please tell your friends who might fancy giving tennis a go!
  Watch the Club Website under Coaching for more details: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/ledburytennisclub/Coaching
   
• Junior Coaching 
  Our regular Friday afternoon coaching sessions resume for the Summer term:
  11 weeks at Ledbury on Friday evenings 4.30 – 5.30 (ages 4-9) 5.30 - 6.30 (Ages 9+)   29 April, 6, 13, 20, 27 May, 10, 17, 24 June, 1, 8, 15 July.
   
• LTA Youth Start courses  - Summer 2022
  This is a modern approach to tennis training. We want to encourage children to play tennis throughout their lives – and be active too. So, if your child is aged 4-11, why not give it a try? Held in Ledbury and open to non-members, so spread the word amongst your children’s’ friends too!
  
  3.30 to 4.30 p.m.   10, 17, 24 June, 1, 8, 15 July  - Mark these dates on your calendar - Booking details to follow soon!
  
  £29.99 (+£5 P&P) gets you:
  • Six top-class tennis sessions with specially trained coaches
  • A tennis racket and set of balls
  • A branded t-shirt
  • Activity cards, a lanyard, stickers and a certificate (provided by the coach)

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New Balls Please!  Available for the bargain price of £5 per tube of four balls.
Contact Steve Finch to arrange - drsfinch@outlook.com

Storm Damage  Many thanks to Steve Swaithes for rescuing our green club sign which was ripped from its post near the entrance during the recent storms. Steve has re-engineered the fixings so hopefully it will withstand the next big blow!

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Ledbury Tennis Committee News

Your club’s recent Annual General Meeting (AGM) was hosted by Ann Hume and Liz Lewin, two of our longest serving officials, who have now “retired” from their management roles, but who will both continue to enjoy active club membership.

Ann has chaired our club for an incredible 9 years since 2013 and Liz has been membership secretary since 2016. Claire Hollingsworth thanked Ann and Liz at the meeting for the tremendous contribution they have both made to the success of our club over so many years.

As you will have read previously, a new operational structure has now been implemented with the five key positions confirmed by a vote at the AGM. This core management team will co-ordinate the activities of the many other volunteers who have kindly taken on specific activities to ensure the continued smooth running of your club by its members, for its members. 

Here’s a brief introduction to each member of your new core team.

• Rob Stewart Chair:
  Rob has been a member of Ledbury Tennis Club for around 8 years, starting at rusty rackets initially before participating in regular club sessions during the weekends and week nights. Rob captains the men’s C team and is looking forward to the challenge of being the club chair. He runs his own business during the week and lives in Ledbury with his wife and daughter. 

• David Murdoch Vice Chair:
  David joined our club a couple of years ago as a rusty racketer, and being recently retired, he enjoys participating in morning club sessions, as well as informal doubles. David writes regular articles about your club for local publications and is keen to promote the message that tennis can be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities. 

• Derek (Del) Partridge Social Co ordinator:
  Derek joined our club 2 and a half years ago after a (now regretted!) 25-year break from tennis. He lives in town, attends as many club sessions as possible and competes in two league teams.  Derek’s looking forward to supporting the great social ‘feel’ which our club enjoys, so that all members can both contribute and benefit from this, in ways that work best for them.

• John Admans Membership secretary:
  John rejoined the club a couple of years ago. He plays more singles than doubles, but is happy to change the mix in future.  John loves the club's friendly, relaxed feel, but enjoys getting competitive when appropriate!  John is looking forward to being your new membership secretary, building on Liz’s fantastic work.

• Claire Hollingsworth Welfare Officer and Club Captain:
  Claire has been a member of Ledbury Tennis Club for 8 years and plays for the Ladies A team.  She enjoys a good tussle on court; both in team practice nights and in captaining the mixed A team.  Claire brings her experience as a GP to the role of welfare officer and looks forward to supporting the team captains through fixture perils as ‘Club’ captain. 
  
  Club Welfare Officer:  Dr Claire Hollingsworth Tel 07740 597327, email clairerachelhollingsworth@gmail.com

To read our Privacy Policy, Diversity and Inclusive practise Policy, Safeguarding Policy, Safeguarding Policy Statement visit our  webpages at: https://clubspark.lta.org.uk/LedburyTennisClub

Best wishes

Rob, David, John, Claire and Del