GRANSDENS’ LAWN TENNIS CLUB  

NEWSLETTER – Autumn 2008  

Dear Members,

Well that was summer………………you invest £5.80 on a new top, buy a state of the art racket on ebay, (even though the “Prince” was spelt wrong!!!) and on the 2 days the sun shone you were stuck in on the M5. Fret not we have all sorts to lighten the advancing gloom as the nights draw ominously in. 1 st up is the ever popular

Quiz Night – 18 th October .

Last October was a record breaker for the club and this year promises to be just as good if not better. After lengthy contractual negotiations the “Dinner Ladies” have agreed to continue their excellent work, aided by Paulette. Ian has agreed to sort out the questions, Natalie is swotting up on her addition and subtraction for the bar work and my remit is to carry on regardless! The scene is set for a riotous night of fun, frivolity and drama but tickets are going swiftly so we urge you to get cracking. The price is still £10, which includes a 2 course meal, tickets are available from Nicola (677968), Jan (677082) Trevor (677769) or the village shop. Teams are to comprise 6 people and there will be a raffle and of course a bar.

A.G.M. and Supper 21 st Nov .

The Annual AGM / Shepherds Pie / Wine tasting extravaganza is pencilled in for 7.30 in the Reading Rooms. There will be food and drink on offer, as ever, and we would ask all members to attend. We promise you won’t get co-erced in to anything you don’t want to do and it’s actually a good night and doesn’t take too long.

Boxing Day 26 th Dec.

I know it’s early and you’ve yet to think of this years excuse to avoid going to the In Laws but put 10.30 on Boxing Day in your diary. It’s more fun that tennis, a good chance to blow away the cobwebs, escape the family, and if that’s not enough to lure you, there will of course be mince pies and drink.

Club Meal Spring 2009

We have arranged an informal get together for the past few years and such has been the popularity that next year will be no exception. The venue and date will be confirmed in the New Year.

Awards Presentation / Fun Day

We combined the 2 events this year in a bid to give everyone an opportunity to meet socially and to change things around a little bit. The children were enthralled by Craig’s juggling skills and the adult’s spirits lifted by the well stocked fridge. It proved to be very successful and we may continue in that vein depending on your views at the AGM.

Club Clothing

You may have noticed that certain members of the club are suddenly resplendent in their new Polo Shirts, Sweatshirts, and Fleeces, all with the Club logo on them. Nicola is planning to do another order in Mid October for all those who missed out or forgot. We have some samples to have a look at and if you’re not sure of sizes, cut or suitability then contact Nicola. We’re also planning to include some items for the juniors (polo shirts and hoodies) so please keep an eye out or contact Nicola.

Tournaments

The normal array of Club tournaments were squeezed in despite the weather, the gifted, lucky, blessed are as listed below.

Family Cup

Ladies Doubles Natalie Rogerson & Anna Jose

Men’s Doubles Mark Manford & Guy Weatherhead

Mixed Doubles Paulette Workman & James Blott

Men’s Singles James Blott

Ladies Singles Jan Foster

American Craig Workman

Matches

The various club matches have come and gone in a blaze of effort, cancellations, dodgy calls, benevolence and general bonhomie to all visiting teams (well nearly all). For those of a studious nature the results of the numerous LTA games are available on www.cambridgeshire.totaltennis.net under events & tournaments. The results of the BHL games are listed in the clubhouse should you need to check that husbands/partners/wives were actually playing tennis on any given date.

For the record:

The Men’s 1 st’s after their rapid rise through the divisions reached the heady heights of Division 1. Sadly the standard was so good that they were destined to struggle and did. They were relegated but only just. It was a fantastic feat for a small village such as ours to get right to the top level and one we should be proud of.

The Men’s 2 nd’s came 3 rd in Div 7 of the LTA Summer league. After a hesitant start they ended with 3 straight wins to avoid mid table mediocrity. The 2 highlights were coming back from 1-3 at the break at Comberton to win and the debuts of both Laurence and Josh who easily adapted to the rigours of old man’s tennis.

The Ladies 1 st’s had some tough games and finished one off the bottom and were relegated from Div 3

The Ladies 2 nd’s, after a shaky start and having “lost” the 1 st game of the season (in glorious sunshine) to a traffic jam! They came joint 2 nd in Div 6 and were promoted due to their better record.

The Mixed 1sts c ame 3 rd in Div 3, only on “sets difference” after a tough season which saw their ranks boosted by newcomer Steff and were very unlucky not to get promoted.

The Mixed 2 nd’s gained back to back promotions after being “awarded” their rain halted last game (which they were winning when halted) and which if they’d lost they would have been relegated!!.

In The Business House League (summer time play, no food, but a bit less stressful than the LTA) TheMen’s team started badly but finished heroically, beating Chesterton twice (their only losses in the last 5 years!) and ended up in majestic mid table thanks to a Cameo appearance from Andy, 2 from Craig and the efforts of Julie in allowing Laurence to stay up past his normal curfew time to add a touch of finesse to our sweaty endeavours.

TheLadies 1 st’s as defending champions were undone as the other teams in the league raised their games considerably and shoved out formidable sides against them, W1, L2 with1 still to play their record.

Ladies 2nd’s were in the same division as the 1 st’s and their record of P3 W1 L3 included a hefty defeat to the 1 st team (swine’s) but they had fun.

The Mixed teams enjoyed themselves immensely against varied opposition and the inclusion of some of the clubs youngsters augers well for the future and helped keep the bad language down.

Coaching

Judy Lambert is again offering coaching for Adults on a Saturday morning . The sessions start at

9.30 And if you are interested then contact Jan. If any of the younger one’s are interested in coaching please refer to the Juniors sheet as there are 7 sessions over 2 afternoons.

Balls / Tokens

As ever we are offering new tubes of four balls for only £5 or, when available, if they’ve not gone over the fence, ex. match balls for £2. Please contact a committee member if you want to purchase some. Jan. is the person to contact if you want to purchase tokens for the floodlights

Website

A reminder that the club’s website is www.gransdensltc.co.uk and after much hard slog Rosemary & Noor have kicked it in to some form of life. Please feel free to have a look and if there’s anything you want on it or think we need then contact Rosemary. No guarantees though...!

Club House

The club house has been “tarted” up inside (pictures etc,) and the outside repaired but we need members to look after it, particularly the parents of the juniors. Please put recycling stuff in the recycling bin!!!! (Plastic cups and bottles canbe recycled !!!!). Avoid your little cherubs trashing the place or leaving it in a mess. There are various items that have been left their of late, sunglasses x 2, lunch boxes, jackets, rackets, hats, head covers; all will be ditched shortly if they are not claimed.

Court / Village Court

You will have noticed that Andy has put some netting around the back of the courts to give shelter from the wind. This will shortly be extended to the football pitch end and we will be sorting out the floodlights once we can get a “cherry picker” and persuade someone to go up it to change the bulbs! Please note that the trees behind the new screens are flourishing and will shortly be peeking over the top.

The village court is shortly to undergo a total revamp; members please note that this court is no longer part of the clubs facilities.

Club Sessions

The club offers numerous sessions for all ages and sizes. If you want to get involved and play after seeing Andy Murray in action, want to get a bit fitter or are convinced that the magic you had as a teenager is still there then please come along. You will be made welcome as the sessions are designed for people of all abilities, don’t be shy!!!!!

Ladies mornings take place on Friday mornings from 9.00 a.m. The normal Club Sessions take place on Wed Evenings from 7.30 p.m and Sunday Afternoons from 2.30 p.m. Over the summer these sessions have been well attended and they, as ever, continue right through the winter months. If you’ve never been and are reading this in a Kwik Fit waiting room and feel like returning to the fray after children/divorce/ weight loss/mid life crisis then please feel free to turn up to have a look at any of the above. We cater for all ages and abilities.

LTA Membership

The LTA are still keen to encourage all members of the Club to become members of “British Tennis”. The club is under pressure to get members to join to ensure that our allocation of Wimbledon tickets is maintained if not enhanced. So far the response has been good and the basic membership is free until 2012. Thereare all sorts of incentives to encourage you to sign up, the most important one is that we can’t be allocated Wimbledon Tickets in our draw unless you’re a member so I would encourage you to join, and there are leaflets in the clubhouse.

Juniors News …………Please see separate newsletter…………

Committee Contacts

The Tennis club committee meets on average 3 times a year and we basically discuss the same 3 topics, the floodlights, the kick boards and the lack of a road sign. It’s not too arduous and if you’re keen to join then please step forward otherwise any praise, complaints or suggestions should be made to one of the enclosed: Tim. Mason, President & Treasurer (677284); Jan. Foster, Chairman (677082), James Blott, Secretary (01954 718265); Ian Darroch (679949); Deb. Greenland (679141): Jane Griffin (650115); Nicola Hipwell (677968), Brenda Johnson (650658); Sam Lodge (677763); Trevor Peer (677769); Andy Wilson (677196); Rosemary Hussain (677979); Paulette Workman (650855). All codes are 01767 unless stated otherwise.

It’s been a rain sodden, windswept but typically hectic season so far but there’s plenty more to come, please come and join us.

GRANSDENS’ LAWN TENNIS CLUB