Wow, it's amazing how quickly time goes as one gets older. Another AGM held and a new tennis year is upon us. Thank you for your continuing support.

We started last year with excellent tennis weather and whilst it has ended with lots of rain, we have had a full year of competitive, social and casual play. Although the court surface is continuing to hold up, this year we will be evaluating the options for a new surface in 2025/26.

For a small club we continued to enter a good number of teams in the Hereford and Worcester Leagues.   Eight teams (2 Men, 3 Ladies, 3 Mixed) in the summer and six in the winter (2 Men, 1 Ladies, 3 Mixed).  Retirements and injuries led to the Ladies B and C teams being withdrawn from the Winter League but we are now back up to two Ladies teams for this summer. No trophy winners this year although Ladies ‘A’ and Mixed ‘A’ came close with 3rd places in the Winter League.  Well done to all those who participated with particular thanks to the team captains. Special thanks also to Pauline Rogers who is standing down, after many years, as League Fixtures Secretary. We are very grateful to Georgie Limb for taking on the role.

On the first Club Sunday of the year Chris Seavor & Debbie Mason were winners of the President's Tournament with Phil Towle & Jola Seavor runners up. Neil Thomson's team won the Autumn Floodlit League and the Spring League has been won by Ian Dinnie’s team. All of these events ably organized by Ian & Phyl  Dinnie and Pauline Rogers.

Seniors Thursday morning continues to flourish although Wednesday Club Night numbers have been down on previous years.  Steve Barnett of Activate Sports Education has been running weekly open tennis coaching sessions for local youngsters since September and these will continue, every Wednesday, after Easter.

On the non- playing front club members ran the book stall at the annual Woolhope Fete , which raised a commendable £258 pounds for village community funds. In the Autumn another group of volunteers treated the courts for moss. Thank you to all involved and especially Bob Quant for all his maintenance work.

You will have noticed the new courtside bench, clubhouse clock and sign. These have been purchased with money kindly donated to the club in memory of Kath Watkins who was one of the founders of the club and a stalwart member for many, many years.

WHATSAPP GROUP

Chris Seavor has volunteered to set up a Whatsapp  group, “WoolhopeSocial” open to all members. If you would like to connect with other members to arrange social play, find out who is going to club sessions or pass on a bit of news, this is for you.  To join the group please send us an email.

WELFARE

Eddie McEnery, who in his previous non-tennis life was well qualified in Welfare and Safeguarding matters, now has the appropriate LTA qualification and will be the lead Welfare Officer in the club. Brian Chipping, also LTA qualified, will support Eddie and deputise in his absence. Our updated Welfare Officer poster can be found  here.

Don’t forget, copies of our Welfare & Safeguarding policies are available in the Clubhouse and on the website.

AGM SUMMARY

The increase in subscriptions proposed in the Treasurer’s report (previously circulated) was passed at the AGM and membership renewal emails will be sent out later this week.  The AGM minutes and Treasurer’s report can be found on the website - click here

The existing committee were re-elected en-bloc and we are delighted to welcome a new member to our club’s committee; Duncan Betts. So our committee for 2024/25 is:

                Chair:                    Raymond Highley            

                Vice-chair:           Vacant

                Treasurer:           Alison Quant                                     

                Secretary:           Brian Chipping                  

                Committee:        Val Barton, Georgie Limb, Jenny Lloyd, Bob Quant, Phil Turner, Duncan Betts

Team captains for 2024/25

Men’s A               Rob Fair                                Men’s B                Phil Towle

Ladies’ A              Jo Dinnie                              Ladies’ B              Jola Seavor

Mixed A               Paula Highley                     Mixed B               Phil Towle                          

Mixed C               Chris Seavor

Club Sundays – all start at 2pm (organised by Ian Dinnie & Pauline Rogers)

Presidents Tournament                12 May

Club Sundays                                     2 June, 7 July, 4 August , 1 September (Nick Waters Cup)

Continue to enjoy your tennis.

Brian Chipping

Secretary