May 2017 Newsletter

Barnet LTC – May 2017 Newsletter

 Date Reminders

Please note that this Thursday, 4th May, we are hosting a schools’ tournament between 12pm and 3pm. All courts will be unavailable during this time, and there will be restricted access before and after, as the courts are set up/cleared away. Over 40 teams are taking part, which is a great advert for both the sport and our club.

Pub Night

It’s not too late to book in for our Pub Night this Saturday 6th May. The bar will be open from 7pm for a 7.30pm start. There will be pool, darts and table tennis with lots of good music and also a tasty curry. All of this for just £5.00! Please sign your name on the list in the clubhouse - it’s on the inside of the door as the Club Championships has taken over the main notice-board. Alternatively, you could e-mail our Social Secretary, Linda Searles via searlesinbarnet@gmail.com

We have a loyal group of regulars who support our social events, but it would be great to see a few new faces…...Everyone welcome!

Open Days

The LTA are once again sponsoring a number of Open Days at clubs across the UK which they are calling Great British Tennis Weekends. We are taking part in both of these, the first of which takes place on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th May. From 2pm to 6pm there will be a timetable of activities for all ages; the idea being that people can come along and try tennis for free, and if they like it, hopefully join our club!

More information can be found on our website, where we have a dedicated page, including a deal for those new members who sign up as a result of attending, and a link to book on to any of the sessions (although people can also just turn up).

http://www.barnetltc.com/gbtw/

There will be light refreshments available on both days. On the Saturday there will be a special exhibition match at 3pm between our current Ladies Single Champion, Nicky Fenn, and former winner, Louise Rice. On Sunday we also have the attraction of one of our men’s teams taking part in a match against another club. Members are welcome to come along to join in the adult free play session that is taking place at 5pm.  We have posters up in schools, local supermarkets and libraries and there will be press coverage too. There is a noticeboard full of information in the clubhouse, plus lots of advertising literature, which you are welcome to take away to give to friends, neighbours and colleagues who you think might be interested.

We would be happy for anyone with Twitter accounts to spread the word too. 

Please help us to make this a success!

Gate code

As you may know, we change the gate code every year. This is not to try to confuse members, but to keep our club as secure as possible!

The code will be changing in the next week or so. A text will go out to members informing them of the new number.

May Bank Holiday American Tournament

There is another opportunity to come along to an American Tournament on Monday May 29th. Usual rules apply! 2pm start, £4 fee including teas. These are always well attended and are a great opportunity to play in with other members.

Floodlight tokens

We are aware that there are new pound coins now in circulation.  The token machine does only accept the old coins, so we are looking to change the floodlight boxes to accept coins rather than tokens.  We have however been informed that the new floodlight boxes will only accept the new coins, so we are proposing to delay their installation until after the summer.  In the meantime, please make sure you have the old pound coins if you are using tokens in the next few weeks. The token machine also prefers the older style 5ps and 10ps too!

Non-members and visitors

Our new membership year began a month ago and thankfully many of our members have re-joined. However, there are still quite a large number who have yet to renew. There are always some players who for various reasons no longer wish or are able to be members. However, for those who continue to play, here is a reminder that you do need to re-join, so please do not to be surprised (or offended) if you are challenged.

For those members who wish to bring non-members along for a game, please remember that they should be signed in to the visitor’s book (hanging next to the floodlight token box in the clubhouse) and a £5 fee paid. If the clubhouse is locked then please post this into the postbox on the clubhouse wall. A visitor may not play as such more than 4 times in one year.

Club Nights

All our club nights are up and running. Junior Matchplay takes place on Fridays 4.30pm to 6.30pm, Ladies Night on Tuesdays 6.30pm to 8.30pm and Men’s Night on Wednesdays 6.30pm to 8.30pm. If you haven’t tried them out, please come along and give it a go! Please note that from next week the cost of the adult sessions will be £4 per member.

During these times, and on Friday evenings (6.30pm onwards) when our Club Social Tennis takes place,  priority is given to those attending the sessions. Court 8 can be booked on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Club Tournament matches, but otherwise please note that you won’t be guaranteed a court.

Club Championships

Our summer tournament is underway. The draw is up in the clubhouse. Please be aware that the deadline for some first round matches is this weekend!