AGM – Thursday 6th April 2017 – Church House 8pm
In attendance; Daren Coles (Chairman) Peter Toms (Competitions Secretary), Clare Jackson (Mixed Team captain), Peter Venus (Social secretary) Ollie Toms (Coach) Lynn Banks Lewis, Sue White, Paul Kaye, Paul Ellio, Tim Walder, Kern Roberts & Ashley Morrison
Apologies; Sean Murphy, John Truman, Keith Gummery, Serena Skerratt, Colin Carr, Matthew Cave, Paul Fox
The previous minutes were adopted and approved by the meeting; proposed and seconded by Clare Jackson and seconded by Peter Toms
Chairman’s report
To date the club has some 43 Adult members 25 Families, 13 juniors and 7 students. These numbers represent continuing growth in membership since last year. Adult dropping slightly but family membership growing.
A new key will be available to members, on surrender of the old key and their payment on Thursday May 4th at Social Tennis. The key will also be available at the White Horse from 8-30 pm on that date.
Summer – Doubles Presidents cup won by Nick Chastney & Paul Kent
Golden Jubilee Trophy – Sean Murphy & Paul Ellio
Xmas Competition Daren Coles & Peter Toms.
New Clubhouse / Shelter installed in Sept and fitted out with Drink Dispenser, sundries, Table, Fire Ext, ant vandal paint (to be applied)
Kell Ryan
We sadly lost Kell earlier this year; he’d been a great supporter and player for the club, participating in our club matches and all our internal club competition, plus a regular at our Saturday morning sessions… he’s sense of fun and stories will be a great loss for the club and will always be remembered by us.
Thank you
Keith Gummery our treasurer informed us last year’s AGM that he would be stepping down at this AGM – The club thanked him for his support over the years; his expertise and knowledge of the finances has ensured the club is in a strong position for the future and although we’ll be leaving this role we hope he continues to be a regular player at our sessions on a Saturday morning. On a personal l note I must thank Keith for his support in helping me with the clubhouse and always responding quickly to my responses for support and funds, plus working with the new treasurer ensuring a smooth transfer of duties.
Peter Venus – for organising such a successful Xmas dinner at Bury Lodge and already organising this year’s event
Peter Toms – Making our fantastic benches for the clubhouse and installing lighting
Clare Jackson – for donating our score boards
Serena Skerrat – for donating table for the clubhouse
Lewis Naughton – for making our excellent clubhouse sign
Margaret Bowker (Gaces acre charity secretary)– for helping me with the clubhouse shelter installation arrangements.
Ollie Toms – for continuing to develop his coaching with us in particular the juniors and term holiday sessions and competitions
Treasurers Report
Keith was unable to attend the meeting, however, He worked with the new treasurer to ensure the yearly accounts were issued and (these are shown below) reviewed in the meeting presented by the new treasurer - Paul Kay. Paul stated that the finances remain on course to make sure the necessary funds are in place for the next time the courts require resurfacing. So we will return to strategy of half the subscription income to be invested per year, whilst the remaining funds will cover the standard operational costs of running the club.
The current court surface was discussed generally and it was felt that we should investigate costs for a clean and surface paint, as there are areas were the surface protection is looking distressed. The Chairman stated that he would obtain quotations for consideration next year and would look at various grant options from the LTA and local sources
Team Captains report
Peter Toms The men’s team continue to play in the Essex Small Clubs League premier division. We managed to retain our title in the summer 2016 competition coming top, with Stebbing second and Dunmow third. The other teams in the league are Henham, Harlow and Thaxted. We are currently mid table in the winter league with matches still to play. Thanks to all who have played.
Lynne raise the point about players who possibly wanted to play matches not getting a game. It was agreed that the membership would be circulated at the beginning of the summer season (as has been done in the past) inviting anyone who wanted to play to put themselves forward
Clare Jackson
The Mixed Team played in the third division over the summer - in 10 matches, we won 8, drew one and lost one very narrowly against Elsenham. We finished second overall, just 7 points behind main rivals Elsenham, but over 50 points clear of the other clubs.
This winter, both Elsenham and Newport were promoted to division one! We have continued to do well against considerably better opposition and have so far played 9 matches, winning 5 and drawing the rest. We are currently third in the table but still have 3 matches to play.
13 different people have played for the mixed team - many thanks to you all.
Membership and Court Bookings
The Chairman informed the meeting that the booking system seems to be working well. Although the public use of the courts has continued to decline. The discussion continued on this subject with a proposal to promote the facility more widely using the Newport News line and other local media outlets.. the Chairman will act on this.
The financial situation of the club was agreed to be good and sound and so the meeting agreed that there was not a need to increase membership rates. Therefore for the forthcoming 2017/18 season the rate would remain the same
Membership
Adults-£40
Juniors (under 16) £12
Students over 16 in full time education £16
Family two adults, plus any child under 16 £92
Social events
Xmas dinner
Peter Venus discussed this year event suggesting another new venue - Elder Street Restaurant at Debden Barns (the Antique Centre). We would have exclusive use of their restaurant which can take up to 45 diners. A three course Christmas dinner plus coffee would be £27.95 and we have been offered Saturday evening 2nd December. Elders Street have started monthly dinner and cabaret nights and I will be going to an Italian styled one later this month to test their organisation and to see the act. I would like the Committee to consider whether a cabaret spot for our own dinner would be appreciated. The Cabaret spot could an additional £5 for a singer (classical, West End shows, Rat Pack or similar) or mariachi band. The cost around £150 to £200 - to be negotiated. The meeting felt it was a great idea and thus Peter will make a booking for Saturday 2nd December further details to follow later in the year.
Competitions 2017
Hospital cup entry now closed
Sept – Doubles competition –date to be advised
Xmas Competition –date to be advised
Golden Jubilee trophy – date to be advised
Wimbledon Ballot
5 pairs of tickets available
The draw took place in accordance with the LTA rules; as only opted in eligible members were able to participate.
Draw result
Draw no. Date Court Winner
1 16-Jul Centre Micheal Williams
2 04-Jul Centre Keith Gummery
3 11-Jul one Amanda Ingham
4 04-Jul one Paul Fox
5 06-Jul two Lynne Banks Lewis
Reserves
6 16-Jul Centre Paul Kaye
7 04-Jul Centre Ashley Morrison
8 11-Jul one Peter Toms
9 04-Jul one Harry Stark
10 06-Jul two Olliie Toms
Coaching
The chairman reminded the meeting that coaching is available and thanked Ollie for his support the club last year.
Ollie Toms contact details
Telephone. 07917652014 Email. Ollie@Olliestennis.co.uk Twitter. @OlliesTennis
Election of officers
The Chairman were re-elected to their posts being , Peter Venus agreed to arrange the Christmas dinner and Clare Jackson & Peter Toms agreed to carry on captaining the mixed and men’s teams respectfully.
The new Treasurer Paul Kaye was formally elected and the Chairman thanked him for accepting the role and working with Keith.
AOB
Joyce Franklin proposal
Chairman discussed a proposal from Joyce Franklin academy regarding a new sports surface which will have flexibility for Tennis. The school is working with Sports England and thus they need to show that their proposal offers the whole community benefit. The chairman explained that he had written back to the school stating that the club would be interested in using the facility as an additional facility, which would offer us floodlit tennis in the winter which we could use for club matches and a social tennis session in the winter months. The meeting agreed this was a good idea and would be interested in developing our relationship with the school project.
Technology
The chairman raised an issue with social media which had been brought up by some members who felt that a social media App like an ‘WhatsApp’ group for club members would enhance the communication as it could be used for arranging ad hoc matches and our social tennis e.g. when we have inclement weather to see who’s planning to turn up. The meeting felt it was a good idea so the Chairman would investigate it further
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.10pm