WHAT'S ON in FEBRUARY ' 18

 "What’s on" in February 2018

Dear Members,

Let me begin by reminding you of the main event of this month of February.

Visit by HRH Earl of Wessex on Wednesday 21 February 2018

HRH Earl of Wessex, who officially opened the club nearly 20 years ago, is visiting in the afternoon of Wednesday 21 February. This is only the second stop on his 2018 Real Tennis World Tour, when he expects to play on every court in the world, both to raise awareness of real tennis and to raise funds for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme (D of E).

We will begin by hosting a coaching session with five or six juniors who have been participating in Chris Harland’s schools’ initiative over the last few months, their first introduction to real tennis. Chris is our Youth Development Officer and an active playing member. This will be followed by three sets of tennis with the Earl, the first involving three younger members, the second and third sets will feature other BRTC members playing with the Earl, chosen by raffle and by donation. With the emphasis on D of E, we hope that some of these players will be D of E award holders.

Those watching the second and third sets (by making a donation for a space in the dedans or galleries) will also join a tea and cake reception at the end of play.

In the two weeks running up to the visit, Lindsey Henniker-Heaton will be running a “silent auction” as a fund raiser to assist the Earl’s initiative; details of the lots available will be sent out next week.

 

Request for volunteers for that afternoon

On the afternoon of the royal visit, we will need several “marshals” to, for example, check visitors into the club, show them to their seats, help with parking and serving teas etc. etc. If you are prepared to help, then please let Kevin or Ben know in the first instance and one of our organising team will then get back to you.

 

In house play

For members wanting to play during the month, we have the continuation of the winter league boxes, which got off to a good 2018 start in January. If you would like to play in these boxes in future, then tell Kevin or Ben please. We also have a 36 – 45 medal day on Sunday 11th. So get involved to have some fun tennis.

You will also see from the schedule below that we have two inter-club matches this month, against The Hyde this weekend at home and then away to Oxford on Saturday the 17th. And we have the competition for The Ron Brown Trophy, being the ladies open club championship on the 10th. 

We have several junior sessions, as part of Chris Harland’s junior promotion, as well as the next round of The Peter Luck-Hille Cup against Radley at home on the 10th, starting at 2pm. Do try to get along to support our team.

So come and play, enjoy your tennis and have a very happy 2018,

Denis

 

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR

 "What’s on" in January 2018

Dear Members,

Welcome to 2018. I hope that you have had enjoyable Christmas and New Year celebrations and can look forward positively to 2018. There are lots of entertaining events happening at BRTC over the next couple of months for us to anticipate.

 Visit by HRH Earl of Wessex on Wednesday 21 February 2018

Most importantly, we have a visit by HRH Earl of Wessex, who officially opened the club nearly 20 years ago. He is visiting us in the afternoon of Wednesday 21 February 2018 as the second stop on his 2018 Real Tennis World Tour, when he expects to play on every court in the world, both to raise awareness of real tennis and to raise funds for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.

 We will host an afternoon of three sets of tennis with the Earl, the first involving young D of E people who have been participating in Chris Harland’s schools’ initiative over the last few months. The second and third sets will feature BRTC members playing with the Earl.

 We intend to select the playing members by both raffle and generous donation. Details will be circulated shortly. In the two weeks running up to the visit, we will also be holding a “silent auction” as a fund raiser to assist the Earl’s initiative, details of which will be sent out this Wednesday. The raffle will also feature the chance to win seats in the dedans and galleries to watch the games, with a tea and cake reception, and viewing seats will also be available to purchase as part of the fund raising.

 In house play

For members in general, we have the continuation of the league boxes, which got off to a good start in

November. If you would like to play in these boxes, then tell Kevin or Ben please.  We also have a medal day and the Ton Up doubles. So get involved if you want some fun tennis.

 You will also see from the schedule below that we have only the one inter-club match this month, in contrast to the six in November and one in early December. But we have several junior sessions, as part of Chris Harland’s junior promotion.

 December’s social catch ups and other bits of news

We had an enjoyable Christmas drinks evening on Wednesday 6 December. It featured a wonderful

Exhibition doubles match with Reggie Williams, Hamish Dron, Tom Lewis and Ben Coleman, which kept the dedans enthralled.  The Chawner Challenge was then played, was good fun, and was won by Bob Stacey.

 The Christmas lunch, which was held at The Shakespeare in Redland on Thursday 14 December, was a nice way to round off the real tennis year. Some 24 members enjoyed the occasion.

We replaced the heating boiler in December so that we can be assured of warmth for the club this winter.

Please like and follow our facebook page!

 So enjoy your tennis and have a very happy 2018,

Denis

 

 

BRTC v Wellington on Sat 18th November

Wellington Match Report

BRTC travelled to the newest tennis court in the world on Saturday, 18th November. Wellington have added a splendid real tennis court to an impressive sports complex. They have gone for a vibrant indigo which, I must say, looks tremendous. Six tourists played a total of eight matches.

　

Bristol got off to a good start when Matt Skidmore and James Dron scraped victory by one game. A run of three matches then went against us, with Chris Harland and Julian Hemming, and Angela Probyn and Lindsey Henniker-Heaton pairing up take on stiff opposition for Wellington. Angela also played a singles match. Bristol players acquitted themselves well, though home court advantage proved telling.

　

Following a very good lunch, battle resumed. Matt, this time paired with Julian, gave Bristol some hope in what had become a run chase, beating the pair who, earlier had done for Angela and Lindsey. Three, two to Wellington with three to play.

　

Alas, at this point, the Wellington Pro and excellent host, Danny Jones, wheeled out his secret weapon. Max Jones, his son, dispatched James with some élan and, after Lindsey restored some pride for Bristol in his singles, did much the same to Chris, although Chris rallied to take the second set.

　

Those who lost to Max should console themselves with the thought that he is being coached by his father – and try to forget that he is twelve years old.

　

Though we lost, we had a great day and highly recommend a visit to Wellington.

BRTC XMAS DRINKS!

Yo Ho Ho

Just a  reminder of the club's Christmas drinks party this Wednesday 6th from 18:30.

I hope that you can come and have some fun watching a really good doubles match and the famous Chawner Challenge!

Merry December!

WHAT'S ON & CHAIRMAN'S UPDATE

 

 "What’s on"

November & December 2017

Dear Members,

I am delighted to bring you November’s and December’s “What’s On” and Chairman’s Update. Firstly, I will pick up on a number of Admin related items, and then move on to social and playing matters.

 

Admin matters

i) There is a new number for the front door , please ring the club for details.

 

ii) In bright and warm sunshine this summer and early autumn, we have had increasing instances of the front door sticking, so that it does not open when you turn the handle. If it does this, then ring the doorbell.

 

iii) Donna Sanderson-Hull, running BlueSky Physio, has moved in as our tenant upstairs in the far end of the gallery. We have had a purpose built room constructed for Donna and her colleagues and there is also some rehabilitation exercise equipment in the gallery. Please make Donna and her colleagues, and her   clients, welcome.

We do not expect that their presence will interfere with the running of the court or the enjoyment of playing. The income will be a very welcome boost to our finances, as will be the savings on electricity from the solar panels. Please let Kevin or Ben know of any issues that might arise during this early “honeymoon” period, particularly concerning noise levels.

 

iv) We have placed the order for a new boiler to replace the one that has done service for 20 years. We do not yet have an installation date.

 

vi) Remember that we have a new website – www.bristolrealtennisclub.com Check it out, as “they” say.

 

Social catch up

28 members and guests enjoyed a fun evening of whist last Saturday evening. Thanks go to Jan Fuller, the vdZ’s (van der Zwalmen) and Laurence Brook for organising the evening, which Laurence first proposed. The winning player was Sheila Mullan and runner-up was Kathryn Walker.

 

Looking some weeks ahead, we have the Christmas drinks evening, with an Exhibition match and The Chawner Challenge, on Wednesday 6 December from 6.30pm.

 

This is followed in the following week by the Christmas lunch on Thursday 14 December at 1.30pm in The Shakespeare in Redland. Please let Kevin and Ben know whether you wish to attend either or both and do remember to put the dates in your diary.

 

In house play

We have six inter-club matches in November and one in early December (all bar one being at home). So there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved.

 

We also have the beginning of the Autumn league boxes. If you would like to play in these monthly boxes, then tell Kevin or Ben please.   

Enjoy and have fun, Denis

NEWMAN BELL CLUB HANDICAP DOUBLES

The semi finals and final of our club doubles tournament was played last weekend.

There were some great battles but on Sunday 22nd October, the terrifying joined forces of young Hamish Dron and (not quite so young) David Whitaker took on a incredibly energetic Chris Harland and Jullian Hemming...chaos ensued.

It was a fantastic match but the lower handicapped pair came out on top with Hamish and David winning 6/4 2/6 6/3.

Thanks again to all that participated and those that supported on the day!

 

LUCK HILLE CUP Bristol v Prested

Bristol hosted Prested Hall on Sunday 22nd October in the Luck Hille Cup.
Thank you to Hannah Lucey and Amy Pye who made the long journey to represent Prested.
Our own Bastien Van Der Zwalmen managed to take the opening singles match against Amy.
Hannah (also now at Bristol Uni) then got the better of Jack Chesser who played very well in his first ever competitive match whilst also having to cope with a tough handicap.
It came down to a deciding doubles match which Bristol managed to win 6/4 6/2.
Thank you to everyone for such a great day!

WHIST DRIVE

Saturday October 28th

6.30pm

Bristol Real Tennis Club

Abbots Leigh Road

£12.50 per head to include supper and drink on arrival

Licenced bar with wine and beer

PLEASE CONTACT THE CLUB TO BOOK

BRTC V NEWMARKET Sat 7th Oct

MATCH REPORT:

BRTC v Newmarket, Saturday October 7th, 2017　

Unfortunately Eric Nutter couldn't join us due to being involved in a recent car accident. We hope that his consequent back problems improve soon.

As a result Phil Payne, Jonathan Becher and Ken Smith represented Newmarket, with Chris Harland standing in for the second doubles match as a Newmarket player! Chris went with the 'try your best' approach, hoping that the game wouldn't be decisive (see later), and to avoid any accusations of bias.

First match had　Phil Payne v John Grice. This was John's　first match for BRTC and it took a while for him to ease into the game. Phil was sharp, having had a pre-match game on court the day before. The score was 6/0, 6/2 with John putting in a good performance in the second set ready for the doubles match.

John joined Denis Mullan　in a really close match against Phil and Jonathan Becher. Both sets went down to the wire. The first set was won by Newmarket on the last game 40 all, game ball, winning the chase with a finely judged shot from Phil. The second set was won similarly by　fine margins. Congratulations to Phil and Jonathan against a determined effort from Denis and John. The score was 6/5, 6/4.

Third game was singles, Chris Harland v Jonathan Becher, with Chris winning by 6/2, 6/2. Jonathan found it difficult to get into his game as Chris tried to play a range of　serves and shots to keep it difficult for his　opponent.

A quick turnaround before the now very important doubles match, with BRTC's　Sarah Bryan and Jamie Sinclair v　Ken Smith and the borrowed Chris Harland. Luckily Ken was doing　the majority　of the work for Newmarket. His determination and powerful shots overcame some lengthy rallies with good play between players. Sarah's attempted double on the winning gallery was one of the highlights of a short BRTC comeback. The score was 6/3, 6/3 to make it a winning 3 matches to 1 for Newmarket.　

With pride to play for, Jamie Sinclair played an entertaining singles game against Ken winning 6/4, 6/4. Long rallies and great court coverage were appreciated by the audience of players and Ben Coleman our coach and trusty umpire.

Final score Newmarket 3, BRTC 2. Thanks to Ben for marking and for helping us to have a　good day. Well done to our Newmarket visitors.

　

Chris Harland

Match Manager, BRTC