Hi everyone – me again.

Lots to talk about this month!

Good news – a record number of people want to join. No surprise really given that we are simply the best tennis club in Shropshire!

Around 60 people attended our successful Open Day last Sunday. I think the overall numbers at the club will stay around the same for the year, however, as there’s 60 or so people, excluding juniors, who haven’t renewed their membership for 2025/6. Soon they will be too late to do so.

It’s a balancing act and your committee is very aware that we don’t want to flood the club with new members especially when time on court is at a premium, particularly on Thursday evening and Saturday PM. On the other hand, it’s good to get some ‘new blood’ into the club across all age groups.

We will manage this carefully, don’t worry.

More good news - the clubhouse refurbishment project is underway after a substantial cleanup and clear-out.  New furniture and accessories are being installed, and the painter is booked for mid-May. The ladies toilet/changing area has had its first coat of olive-green paint and looks a million miles better than it did. I know, not difficult.

We will also have internet in the clubhouse – hurrah - from the end of the month which among other things will mean faster processing of bar and food payments. And instead of playing tennis we can all spend even more hours staring at our phones.

Still no news on the shed. I know you were simply dying to know. We are waiting for our planning application to be approved…

We’ve updated the list of events and competitions coming up. These can be seen online. Don’t forget to put some of the key dates into your diaries. There’s more going on this year than ever before, and we plan to have impromptu BBQ’s when – or perhaps if - good weather coincides with our top men’s and ladies teams playing a home match at the club. There will be some great tennis to watch as well as play this year.

A big change for 2025 is that we’ve swapped the timing of the Gary Greenwood competition with the Club Championships. The GG competition will now be held earlier in the season partly so that new members can get involved and meet other club members. The club championships will start later, with a plate competition an integral part of the club championships for the first time.

A few other informational things:

• For your eyes only - we are planning to swap the four-digit code for entry to courts and clubhouse this month. A separate top-secret email will go out in the next week or so.
• Next week the club is hosting a junior competition. This will tie up three courts from 9am to 6pm on Sunday 13th and Monday 14th; and three courts from 9am to mid afternoon on Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th. However, all Harrison’s Easter camp and coaching sessions will take place on the school courts on these days so we shouldn’t be too compromised.
• Next month we plan to send out a comprehensive member survey to get everyone’s’ views on a variety of topics. Please do participate if you can.

OK I think that’s it for this month. Oh – one last thing – don’t forget that now that the season has started, tea and cakes are available in the clubhouse every week after the Saturday social with a small charge of £2.

Hang on – one more last thing! Our friends at Town Walls are having a cake and coffee morning this Saturday 9.30 to 11.30 in aid of the Myanmar earthquake. Given that it’s for a very good cause SLTC members can attend without any accusations of treachery!  Donations of cash or cake are also welcome. Please contact Jane Gibson at Town Walls 07816 752 237 for further information.

Right, that really is it. If you made it this far, well done and thank you.

 I’m off to play!

Have a great tennis playing April,

Jeremy