It’s a big welcome to our new Tewin Tennis Club chairman, Mike Purser. Mike has been intimately involved with the club for many years, both as a player and as a committee member. So he knows what makes it tick and, as a passionate player, he knows how to get people onto the court. With a club record of 167 members, tennis in Tewin is thriving.

Mike takes over from David Room who stepped down at our AGM in March after 15 years of dedication to the Club. He was only our fifth chairman. David threatened to recap the whole 15 years in the speech but thankfully didn’t!

There were some notable points over the last year or two, though. The response to the Tiger Turf playing surface has been universally positive, with just a single morning lost to frost, a big contrast to the situation with the previous Tarmac. We also spent money on making our practice court more serviceable, so don’t forget to make use of it.

The Monday evening matches the club plays in the Datchworth League from May to August are low-key good fun, but as a club we are hampered by the number of ladies prepared to join in. So here’s a plea to get in touch with Keith Duerden (k.duerden@ntlworld.com, 07770 681920) if you’d like to play in the Datchworth or the Ladies Orchard League in the summer.

Coaching continues to be an important part of the Club for many players, but here’s a reminder that it is open to all. There are sessions for children after school on Thursdays and, shortly, from 6pm there will be an adult group session after that. Booking details are available on the website. Plenty of players also have individual coaching from our excellent team, details also on the website.

Rounding off the financials, our club is in rude health and thus the committee decided to keep the fees at the same level as last year, keeping Tewin as the most affordable tennis club you are likely to find anywhere.  Just remember to pay before 30 April to take advantage of the stupendous discount!  

You can read a full account of the AGM on the club’s website. Meanwhile, the clocks have gone forward and the courts are crying out to be used. Have a great summer’s tennis.

Peter Burgess