It had to happen. Eventually the rain came and scuppered our plans. Our club doubles tournaments, both Ladies and Mens, were set for a Sunday in the middle of September. The predicted rain did actually appear.  The ladies matches were set for the morning and we might have got away with those, but it was a surefire washout for the afternoon mens matches so we called them all off a couple of days beforehand.

Apologies to members who had entered. The good news is that we are revisiting the event on Sunday September 28 (correct as we go to press) and if Jackie is as sharp at publishing the October Tewin Magazine as she is with most issues, you can nip down to watch and socialise even if you haven’t entered.

We’ve generally had an excellent run at good weather for tennis this year, and so little need to rely on mobile phone apps to tell us the story we want to hear. I am not alone in having three different ways of finding the most favourable weather, and as it is quite possible to be rained off the courts on Upper Green while still being completely dry in Tewin Wood, it bodes not to reply upon on predictions too much.

But there one thing we can be sure of. Autumn brings, with 100% predictability, thousands of leaves onto the tennis courts. While any leaves are a nuisance, our Tiger Turf needs more attention than the Tarmac from the past, so we sweep it on a weekly basis.

Past requests for volunteers to help have fallen largely on deaf ears. YOUR CLUB NEEDS YOU! If we ask you directly, please find a time to pitch in for an hour once every couple of months, to alleviate the strain on the dozen regulars who do the brunt of the work. All the grind that makes this such a brilliant tennis club is down the members who voluntarily give their time. Please help spread the load!

STOP PRESS!  We are running another junior Tennis Camp for children 8 years and older. Over the first two days of October, (27 and 28) half term, the cost is £20 for §each three-hour session, running from 09.30 to 12.30, no experience of tennis is necessary. Contact Josh directly on joshcozenstennis@gmail.com or 07305732882.

Peter Burgess