Dear Member,
It hardly seems any time since I was sending out the March newsletter! And many thanks to those members who sent me feedback.
Club matters
I know it’s not in April, but I want to take this opportunity to remind everyone that the 32nd Annual General Meeting of the Club will be held at the tennis court on Wednesday 1st May, starting at 6.30pm. Wine and canapés will be served afterwards and we are looking to hold some form of social tennis challenge as well! You will be receiving a copy of the Notice shortly, along with a Nomination Form to join the Management Committee. We need new members on the Management Committee to help drive forward the various initiatives that are being considered to meet the ongoing and future needs of the Club – so if you love the club and the game, please put your name forward.
The new membership initiative is progressing well and I would like to thank all everyone involved – but particularly Charlotte Wiltshire (nee Bretten) for her great enthusiasm and the number of posters that she has distributed to friends and business contacts throughout Bristol!
For those members who are not readers of the Daily Telegraph, there was an article on padel tennis on the back page of the Sports Section last Saturday (23rd) The heading read ’New variety of tennis is a big hit in Spain and may also catch fire in Britain’. Simon Briggs also wrote: ‘Padel’s fun and games could get people on court again.’ Please note that we still have padel on the agenda, pending further discussions and negotiations with Clifton College – so watch this space.
Tennis Matters
Inter Club Match and Tournament Results
There were five interclub matches scheduled for March but one was postponed because the visiting club could not raise a team and the match against Petworth has been rescheduled for 22nd June.
We drew at home against the Old Etonians with everything resting on the final doubles, which BRTC won;
We lost 3-4 in the away match against Radley; and
We lost 1-5 against a very strong LRTA team, with Club members playing on both sides!
Two of our juniors, Dominic Bruton and Henry Taubman, played the first of their three Peter Luck-Hille Cup matches at Radley and narrowly lost 2-3. Their next match is at home against Seacourt on Sunday 31st March, starting at 2 pm, with Nell Gorin-Stevens joining the team. The final match against Queens Club is also at home and will take place on Sunday 7th April. We wish them every success - and do come along and support them.
We also had the Ponsford Plate in March. This is the Club’s annual mixed handicap doubles tournament and iIt was good to see some new faces playing on what is always a great day of tennis. Congratulations to Judy Ponsford and Bob Stacey, who managed to lift the silverware after a very hard fought final.
Forthcoming Matches and Tournaments
There is only one inter club match scheduled for April and that is on Saturday 6th April, when we are at home to Hatfield House. Dave Whitaker is the match manager.
There will be a weekend of exciting tennis on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th April when we have the Club Open Singles running in parallel with the Club Open Doubles.
We are inviting Bee Barford to present the Barford Salver to the winner of the singles and the Bretten family to present the Bretten Bowl to the winners of the doubles. Hopefully there will be a good entry for both competitions and plenty of support for the two finals, which will be played on the Sunday.
And finally on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th April, we are looking to host the Irish Real Tennis Association. We hosted their inaugural visit back in 2004 and it will be good to see them here again. Our President is co-ordinating the event and there will be opportunities to play tennis and also join in the associated social events.
PLEASE LET KK or BEN KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PART
IN ANY OF THESE MATCHES
Other tennis events
There are no ‘official’ taster sessions during April but there are plenty of opportunities for individual or group tasters session linked to the membership initiative. These can be arranged with KK and Ben as required, providing the court is free.
Then there is a singles medal day open to 31-40 handicaps Saturday 7th May, plus the regular Monday and Wednesday Club nights – please book in with KK or Ben if you want to play.
And the next box league has started as well, so there is plenty of tennis to look forward to!
Social Events
There are no official Club social events scheduled for April but tea and cakes will be served during the finals of the Barford Salver and the Bretten Bowl and there will lots of opportunities to socialise over the Irish weekend.
With best wishes,
Claire