New Plans

The Tennis Club committee has two projects that it would like to see through in the near future to encourage play and make the club a more enjoyable experience for all.  The first is landscaping the area at the entrance of the courts in between the courts and the car park.  We would like to dig out the area that at present is the grassy bank with the wooden seats so that most of that will be at the level of the courts, there will be steps down from the car park and it will be more sheltered from the weather and have storage for club equipment such as the ball machine, notice boards and tables and seats to watch the games on court.  This proposal is still in its infancy and we will have to gain planning permission from the Council for any changes like this.  If you have relevant skills such as ability to draw up plans, knowledge of planning law, own a JCB or can suggest a contractor to request a quotation, we would be delighted to hear from you!  This plan is subject to affordability of quotations.  (Any suggestions to Ian.Lyon9@yahoo.co.uk thanks!).

We also have a long term project to set up floodlighting at the courts.  Planning permission was granted almost 5 years ago and actual construction must be started before next spring if we are to carry out the project.  The LTA has paid for a consultant to study the clubs’ plans and make recommendations.  Such a project is very expensive of course and our club could not afford to undertake it if we had to find even a large fraction of the cost.  Fortunately, the LTA may be prepared to offer considerable assistance to the club which would bring the project within our financial means without compromising essential expenditure such as planning for court surface renewal, mortgaging our future or imposing additional burden upon our members.  A proposal to the LTA is being assembled at present to try and achieve this.  If any of you out there have skills in proposal writing or anything else that may help this project then we would be delighted to have your assistance.  Again, please contact Ian.Lyon9@yahoo.co.uk

The committee believe that floodlighting will help all of our members to play throughout the autumn and spring plus the late winter afternoons, will make year round coaching and play possible which is vital to keep up junior interest and make team match play possible for much longer throughout the year.  Making the decision to go ahead with floodlighting is a big decision for our club but, the committee believes, the right one to keep our club going in a positive and growing direction.  This must be done concurrently with attracting new members and new blood coming into our club along with members demanding more time on the courts so please get encouraging people to join!

If you have any comments on any of the issues or proposals described above or are able and willing to assist and offer help (particularly if you have some appropriate professional skill), then we would be delighted to hear from you.