The Hill and Valley Lawn Tennis Club
Chedworth

NEWSLETTER 2008

Dear Member

CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

This year in order to save copying costs, we will be sending the full newsletter by email to members, so they can print it out if they wish or store it electronically. If you wish to receive the full printed copy because you have no email, please contact Colette Dumez on 720744. Please renew your membership on the membership form in the normal way. You will find a second application form for British Tennis Membership. The LTA have replaced the previous Advantage scheme with this. Details of the scheme can be found at http://www.lta.org.uk/BritishTennisMembership/TermsAndConditions.pdf . The scheme is still new and the committee are not sure what the structure of the scheme will be next year but as it is free we are happy to recommend that you join this year.

After many years of excellent service, Hugh Blackwell left the committee last year. Yvette Courtney and Daniel Heaps have been welcomed as new committee members. John Robson retired as Club Coach after doing such a wonderful job in building up the abilities of all of us. He will be helping out until a new structure is in place and is staying on the committee.

The committee are aware that the culture of the club has changed over the years. Whereas previously some members were prepared to give up time helping with court maintenance and other improvements, there is now a reluctance to give up that time and this means that either the committee have to do everything themselves or contract it out. We are also busy people and inevitably the cost of contracting out will put pressure on subscriptions. The committee are quite happy to contract everything out as long as the members realise the implications.

The recent survey of members on new courts had an excellent response of approx. 60% (many of those who did not vote were (quite understandably) junior members). The result was that 87% of the respondents voted in favour of 2 more courts and your committee will now take this forward.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Subscriptions for 2008 - 2009 are now due.   For prompt payment, a discount is available up to the end of March.   Please fill in the membership form and return it
to Colette Dumez as soon as possible. Also please advise Colette of any prospective members who would like a copy of the Newsletter.

The rates approved at the AGM (inclusive of LTA affiliation fees) are as follows:

FLOODLIGHTS

Tokens cost £4.00 for 1 hour's play, and are available from

John Robson    - 720657
Julie Young      - 720398
Neil Irving        - 720403
Sue Fawcett     - 831157
Ian Taylor        - 720660

TENNIS BALLS

These can be purchased by members from the club at a discounted price of £5.  It really helps the club if you purchase from us as the club also makes a profit from the sale of the balls as well as saving you money.  Contact Julie Young (720398).

The club gets an allocation of tickets for the Wimbledon Championships.  Please note the system used for allocating tickets last year will be used again this year:-

Tickets will be balloted at the courts on tennis club evening on Wednesday 14th May at 7.00 pm (Pavilion if raining).   Those interested should attend or send a representative.  Those unable to do either should contact a committee member.
PLEASE REMEMBER that all tickets MUST be paid for at the ballot. 

TEMPORARY MEMBERSHIP

Temporary membership is available on a weekly basis at £5 per adult; £3 per youth/junior.  Contact Colette Dumez 01285 720744 or 07949430259.

COURTS

New members shall pay a deposit of £10 for a key to the courts and the pavilion, contact Colette Dumez on 720744.  Extra keys are available on application.   Courts may be booked 8 days ahead. Matches are generally played in the evenings and they take priority over other bookings. 

Please note that to prevent damage to the surface, sports shoes with light soles should be worn when playing.

£2 per adult; £1 per youth/junior per session.    Payable to any member of the committee.

CLUB TENNIS

Club tennis is on Wednesday- starting at 5pm for the juniors and 6pm for adult members. The summer sessions will start in earnest on Wednesday 7th May. This year, club night for adult members has continued through the winter with great success and will carry on through winter ‘08-’09. Remember, club night is free and a great way to meet new players and improve your tennis.

There is a Ladies’ morning on a Thursday, starting at 09:00-10:30 to include coaching, anyone who is interested is welcome to come along.  Social tennis will follow on from 10:30 onwards, this will continue to run summer and winter as usual.

The Men’s evening, again on a Monday, will also continue to run all year round and starts at 6pm.

Mixed doubles on Sunday morning between 1030-1300.

JUNIOR SECTION

Junior coaching starts again on Monday the 3rd March.

Sessions will run until the school Easter holiday which starts on 7th April with the exception of Easter Monday itself on 24th March. During this time we may re-assess players ready for the Summer term which then starts Monday 14th April. Coaching will be carried out by Philippa, Graham and John with the assistance of Carole, Dan and Sandra on the following days.

The Yellow group (which was super green on Monday 5:00 – 6:00pm) will resume after Easter. In the mean time for those who are at senior school (teenagers) we will run coaching sessions on Saturday afternoons from 5pm onwards for boys and 6pm until 7pm for the girls. We will from time to time have adults playing to give you the experience of playing with members of the club.

It’s now time for you to register for lessons. Please call Graham Stock on 01451-860903 / 07710-868206  (e-mail grahamstock@aol.com) or John Robson on 01285-720657 if you require further information.

LEAGUE MATCHES

The Ladies’ and Men’s Teams have again been entered into the Gloucestershire Summer League.  Anyone interested in joining the teams should contact the team captains – Neil Irving (Mens) (tel: 01285 720403) and Claire Watson (Ladies A team) (tel: 01285 720519) or Philippa Slade (Ladies B team) (tel: 01666 575107) and John Robson (Juniors) (tel: 01285 720657).
 
Ladies’ Teams
The ladies' A team achieved their objective to reach the top of Division 2 in the league having been promoted from Division 3 at the end of 2005.  Last summer they finished in joint first position with De Le Bere, with 35 points, although De Le Bere narrowly beat them on the number of matches won (7v8).

This year the team looks forward to the challenge of playing in the first division, with the aim of staying up at the end of the season.

Men’s Team
The mens team improved greatly in 2006 and came 4th in the league in 2007, only two points behind third place.  With the enthusiasm we have built up over the last twelve months and with the inclusion of our younger members of the club, we are sure to be promoted to division 4A in 2009.
You will be notified of the dates for the league matches to be played this year in due course.  Please reply to Neil Irving if you would like to be considered for the team.

Junior Teams
The club entered three teams in the National Club Junior League and the U14 boys won their division for the third year running.  We were also represented at the mini tennis and the U12 boys level with both teams acquitting themselves well.  Two boys in the U12 team (Daniel Gregory and Daniel Bridgeman) are currently receiving coaching at District level.  Thank you to all the team organisers.

Friendly Matches
We will also be playing mixed friendly matches against other local clubs throughout the summer, in addition to the league competition.  Contact Dominic Chesmore on 720522 for more information.

COACHING.

The junior coaching will begin with the Play Tennis Roadshow on Saturday 26th.April, 10 to 12 pm. Remember, everyone is invited- members and non-members, however,  the session is most suitable for 5-12 year olds. We shall start coaching for juniors in March - ages 5-7 Tuesdays 3:30-4:15pm, 7-9years Tuesdays 4:15-5:00pm, 9-11years Mondays 4-5pm and ages 12-17years at 5:00-7:00pm Saturdays (see 'Junior Section').

EVENTS FOR THE SEASON

PLAY TENNIS EVENT

The 2007 Play Tennis event attracted just over 40 children and the coaching team concentrated on attracting children who were not in the mini-tennis programme.  The BBQ after the event proved an ideal way of providing non-members with information about the club.  We still have 60-70 juniors attending coaching sessions each week and this year we would like to increase these already high numbers.

There will be one Play Tennis Event this year and it will take place on Saturday 26th April from 10-12pm.

MIXED DOUBLES TOURNAMENT- SUNDAY 18TH. MAY

The 2007 competition returned to its normal May date.  Stephen Scott-Smith and Sandra Chambers emerged as new winners of the Mixed Doubles Trophy.  An encouragingly large entry produced some exciting tennis and a few surprises with the Chairman finally reaching his true potential.  It is becoming a "must play" tournament for club members, so put the date down in your diary! 

COLN VALLEY TOURNAMENT - SATURDAY 14th JUNE

The club’s main fund raiser is a mixed handicap tournament open to non-members.  Club members are encouraged to take part.  The handicap system allows players of all standards to compete and enjoy themselves.  The matches are played on courts around Chedworth with the final stages played at Hill & Valley Club.  More and more members are now taking part, please come and join us this year.
The entry fee for this year remains good value at £20 and includes coffee, a two course lunch and afternoon tea as well as an enjoyable day’s tennis.  See below for more details and entry form.

ADULT AND CHILD TOURNAMENT - SUNDAY 6th. JULY

The event in 2007 proved just as popular, with adult and parent partners giving great support to the children.  The tournament format really does encourage the younger children to compete and the jockeying for partners before the event really has become an important part of the tournament.  Remember, the event is free and open to children under twelve years and their adult partner.  This is a closed competition, so everyone needs to be a member.  Contact John Robson on 720657 for more details of this years tournament on Sunday 6th July. 

CLUB CLOSED CHAMPIONSHIPS

The second year of the Adult Closed Singles produced a disappointingly low entry but a high standard of tennis.  Daniel Heaps and Sandra Chambers were the deserved winners, although John Robson and Nicky Holford gave them a run for their money in the finals.  The sliding handicap gives everyone a chance in the early rounds, so don't be put off.  This year we are hoping for a significantly increased participation on the 6th September (men) and the 7th September (ladies).  Note that the competition is completed in one day. 

The Junior Closed Championship will take place on Sunday 14th September with a social event and prize giving in the evening. 

AGM
This event was well attended last year and followed by supper and skittles at the Seven Tuns.   It will be repeated again this year and will be held on Friday 31st October 2008.

WEBSITE

E-MAIL

It would be helpful for the committee to be able to contact members by e-mail. It would also save time and postage costs. Please fill in your e-mail address on the application form.

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

I hope that you can support your club, we are dependent on an active membership. On behalf of the committee may I wish you all an enjoyable tennis season.

Dominic Chesmore
Hon Secretary Hill & Valley LTC
February 2008

THE COLN VALLEY ANNUAL TENNIS TOURNAMENT
Saturday, 14 June 2008

TENNIS ALL DAY FOR EVERYONE!

TWO TROPHIES - THE SPEKE CUP AND THE PLATE

The Hill & Valley Lawn Tennis Club invite you to enter the Coln Valley Annual Tennis Tournament and to take part in a day of fun and good sport. The purpose of the event is to raise money for club improvements and the churches of Coln St Dennis, Coln Rogers and Chedworth.

The day is structured to ensure that all players enjoy a whole day's tennis. Those who qualify for the Speke Cup competition from the morning groups will play a further group "round robin" session in the afternoon. Those not in the Speke Cup will play in groups to compete for the new Plate trophy. Both afternoon sessions will lead to knockout finals. The Tournament will take place on the club courts at Chedworth Village Hall and on private courts in surrounding villages, kindly loaned by their owners. The finals are held at the club courts.

The competition is a mixed doubles event, which except for the final, is played to a sliding handicap so that players of all standards will be able to play an enjoyable game of tennis. Morning coffee, lunch and afternoon tea and cakes are included in your entry price.

Please print and complete the entry form and return by Saturday 31st May to:

Mrs Julie Young (Tennis Tournament)
Malthouse Grounds
Chedworth
CHELTENHAM
Gloucestershire
GL54 4NR
Tel: 01285 720398

On the day, please ensure that you arrive by 9 am for enrolment at Chedworth Village Hall, where you should also collect your tickets for the day's events. If you are organising a party of several players please make sure they are aware of the arrangements and that they arrive promptly. Please note that we will have to start the morning groups on time and if you are late this may mean you are unable to complete all your games, resulting in fewer points.

The Tournament has become a day of great enjoyment and spirited tennis with both trophies keenly fought for. We hope that you will be able to come and we look forward to seeing you.

Stephen Scott-Smith
Chairman

BRITISH TENNIS MEMBERSHIP

Hill & Valley LTC  would like all members to take up 1 years FREE British Tennis Membership with this years club subscription.  Please read the information below, then print the British Tennis Membership form, check the relevant boxes and sign at the bottom.  We will then apply for this year’s FREE membership to British Tennis on your behalf. Please fill in for all members of the family who wish to join.

Data Protection
The LTA and its national, county and island associations will use your personal data, including sensitive personal data, for membership purposes only and to send you, by post or email/SMS, information related to those purposes. For further details please see www.LTA.org.uk/privacy.
To help us raise funds for tennis, we may also wish to do the following - please tick the appropriate box if you DO NOT want us to:

1. Send you information about our offers (e.g. tournaments) and about offers from carefully selected third parties, by post/e-mail/SMS.  [      ] please tick here
2. Pass your contact details to carefully selected third parties so that they can send you, by post, details of their products and services.  [      ] please tick here

Terms & Conditions
Have you read and do you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Membership? (The Terms and Conditions of British Tennis membership can be accessed at
http://www.lta.org.uk/BritishTennisMembership/TermsAndConditions.pdf or from your club secretary.