Intro

It is appropriate, in Darwin’s Bi-centenary year, that the club should start the season under water, gradually crawl up through the mud and finish up on dry land. It was, as most of you saw from the photos, a real mess.   The problem had to be dealt with quickly, I doubt that we could have got in professionals in time, but even if we had, the cost would have been around £1500. Our thanks go to all of the emergency team spearheaded by Dick Spanner and Jack Phillips for getting us literally out of the mire and saving us loads of money. Money that we will need at some point to try and effect a long term solution to the flooding problem.

We have also already had another working party cleaning down the outside of the clubhouse which I hope you agree looks much better for it.

Tennis is, of course what we are really all about. Successful clubs are built upon good club sessions. We want to continue the good work done in recent years in providing balanced play at club sessions but this year we have an organiser again at each session responsible for the onerous role. It is a difficult task to keep a track of all individuals, if you are not happy best to have a word with the organiser rather than just fume but also remember that it would be useful to let the organiser know when you have more than your share of really good sets –– and I saw it in action the other day when an A Team player stood themselves down from a set to make way another player hadn’t had their share of good sets – That’s the real spirit of Club Play.

Have a Great Season

Robert

[View with PicLens]

Fig 1.1 Emergency Team in Action

Maintenance

Dick Spanner is doing a great job for the club on maintaining our facilities. As the clubhouse cleanup showed, he can do a lot more with his experience allied to some willing helpers. Do let him know if you can help at all. Just a couple of reminders
Do make sure that, if the field is wet, that you do not carry MUD onto the courts – by changing into your tennis shoes at the clubhouse, a pair of Waitrose (got to maintain standards!) shopping bags also works well. Can you please remove any waste, old bottles etc from the courts as you leave.

Thank you

Many thanks to our committee members who have departed from the committee this year. In particular Nick Unwin and James Johnson – we wish them well in their new holiday venture in the wilds of North Suffolk – I am sure they will offer special rates for Dedham members.
Also to Angela Green who deserves a well earned rest after many years heading up the Social team.

Club Sessions

Sundays 3.00pm to 6.00pm with afternoon teas around 5.00pm
Wednesdays from 6.00pm
Both of these sessions have a playing in standard. If you are uncertain please contact Rob Boyd or James Prior. The first Sunday of the month is an open session with no minimum standard.
Tuesdays from 10.00am No minimum standard.

Tea Rota

All regular club session players are expected to do afternoon tea (there is no sex discrimination) at some stage during the season. Please add your name to rota in the clubhouse or contact Debbie Sainty.

Committee

After many years of not doing our bit on the league committee we finally got our comeuppance when we were drawn out of the hat to perform the role of League Treasurer. Applications to the Chairman please !

Clubs 25th Anniversary

It is our 25th Anniversary this year. The committee have a number of thought on how we could celebrate this but if you have any thoughts on how you would like to see it celebrated please contact Debbie Sainty.

Social

Mariline Cooke and Debbie Sainty have already started their social efforts by increasing our contact with the parents of juniors at Marks coaching sessions.

There are also plans for a Race Night in the Autumn and a reintroduction of the ever popular Quiz Night in the winter – Dates to be announced later.

Junior Coaching

SATURDAY MORNING COACHING:

9.30 – 10.30am 4 – 9 yrs Red Cost: £5
10.30 – 11.30am Orange/Green Cost: £6
11.30 – 12.30pm Green/Yellow Cost £6

EVERY FRIDAY AFTERNOON FROM APRIL 24th.

3.30 – 4.15pm Red (4 -7yrs) Cost: £5
4.00 – 5.00pm Orange/Green Cost £6

Any questions should be directed to Mark on 01206 -230589.

MARK KLEINGELD
LTA LICENSED COACH