What a few weeks we've had!
The new shed up at last and painted, hard courts cleaned and painted in fresh new colours, the clubhouse more or less finished and looking great.
Even the weather has been onside although we had a narrow escape on the day of the Roger Parry competition. Moving the start time back turned out to be a good decision and a fantastic afternoon was had by all. Apart from one member who 'doesn't do email' who turned up at 11am, wondering where everyone was.
Oops. Sorry about that - but please can somebody find him (yes it was a 'him') a young person to explain the concept of 'email'.
I'm fresh out of pigeons.
Thank you to everyone who brought food, drank Prosecco at the bar and played some equally sparkling tennis. I'm wondering whether we should do two Roger Parry 'American' tournaments next year. This event sold out very quickly to a total number of 44 players and we had a waiting list.
What do you think?
Of course, SLTC is about so much more than afternoon tea and drinks at the bar. Apparently, there's some members who actually enjoy high level, competitive tennis. And wow - how well are we are doing in the summer leagues? Many - actually most - of our teams are dominating each division. Hats off to our club and team captains who have done such a sterling job all season. Simply outstanding leadership and commitment - thank you all.
It's going to be almost embarrassing when our teams eventually collect their many prizes at the Tennis Shropshire AGM!
The Club Championships continue at pace with all competitions tracking nicely towards the finals planned for the weekend of 20th and 21st September. KEEP THIS WEEKEND FREE IF YOU WANT TO SEE SOME GREAT TENNIS!
I'm worried I may be bringing out my inner Donald with those caps, but seriously - cancel any travel plans and get this weekend into your diaries.
The plan is for an earlier start to the social on Saturday 20th September, with the Men's and Ladies singles finals starting around 3pm. Tea and cakes and drinks from the bar will be served.
Sunday 21st September sees our Captain's Day competition in the morning followed by lunch. The Juniors competition unfolds from 1pm on the top three courts. The three doubles finals will be held after lunch and - you guessed it - the bar will be open.
As I said - some classic SLTC tennis and entertainment to look forward to. Fingers crossed for the weather.
Pause for trumpet fanfare and drumroll...
OK - use your imagination.
As you may have heard or perhaps read in Shropshire News the County Championships are coming home! Yes, for the first time in a long while, SLTC and Town Walls are jointly hosting the County Championships at the end of this month from 24th to 30th August.
This will mean a little disruption to play on courts 9 - 11 during the day from Sunday to Saturday but holding the County competition gives us a great opportunity to showcase our lovely courts, location, clubhouse and players.
It's going to be a great week and hopefully we can make a little money to add to club funds from what is expected to be hundreds of visitors.
Although the deadline for entry has passed, I'm told by the competition organiser that we can still register players. Let me know if you want to enter - your chance to compete with top (and not so top) players from across the county, cheered on by a home crowd.
Pause for sensitive violins...
If you suffer from a condition sometimes known as CBA or have an aversion to volunteering or are allergic to the very idea of helping out, please look away now.
Ah - you are still reading. That's good.
I know many of you have busy lives and something that's apparently known as 'a full-time job' but I do need a few helpers for the week of the County Championships, please. If you can find a few hours on one or two or a few mornings or afternoons/ early evenings to serve tea/coffee/snacks/drinks in the clubhouse that means Craig and I won't be doing it all by ourselves. I also need one or two people to be around the car park and courts at times to be confirmed. Non SLTC contestants are being firmly told that they will be turned away if they try to park in our car park but (see paragraph two) there's always a few who don't read - or wilfully misunderstand - efforts at communication.
Please contact me by WhatsApp 07845 439 908 or email jeremyjohnston@live.co.uk and let me know what you can do and when across some (or maybe all) of the six days to help make this important event a stellar success.
Right, that's it for this View from the Chair. Next month, look out for a member survey hitting your inbox. More on that soon.
Meanwhile as always - enjoy your tennis.
Best regards,
Jeremy
PS - don't forget those visitor fees if you are bringing visitors to the club. Pay online via the court bookings page on our website.