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Chairman's Report 2011
There has to be one main focus in my report to you today and that is obviously the completion of
our very ambitious project to extend and resurface our two courts. Just a week or two ago we
received the final payment from Biffa which brings the project full circle. In order to receive the
final payment of £928 we had to show we had met the criteria set us on receiving the grant. These
included showing that our improved courts would encourage more families, children and adults to
use our facility; this we have done by increasing the membership by 8% and the non-members
booking has increased by an amazing 135%. So although membership has only increased a little bit,
we have many more people using our courts, of whom quite a few have now joined the club.
Another objective was to provide an important social facility within the local community and in an
inspiring rural setting. To this end we have taken part in two local fetes running a stall at each. We
also held a charity tournament inaid of Marie Curie and raised £40.
In order to publicise the project, we held an official opening ceremony with an afternoon where
everyone had a chance to try out the new surface. The courts were opened by the youngest and
oldest members of the club and this was reported inthe local papers. Our new coach Enric Bertran,
gave mini-coaching sessions and we had a fastest -serve competition and refreshments.
Another way we have forged stronger links with the wider community is to liaise with BBH Cricket
Club by attending their pre-season trials evening, offering their junior members a joint
membership with our club. We had two of them take up this offer and we hope to extend it next
year. We also entered a team in their stoolball tournament on May Bank Holiday, the result of
which I will gloss over, but if I show you what we won, you may get some idea! (wooden spoon). I'm
sure we'll do better next year!
I hope those of you who are here tonight and all the other members of this club are as proud as I
am of what has been achieved. Due to a lot of hard work and tenacity we have reached a fantastic
result. I know this has been a combined effort by a dedicated committee but I have to single out
Mike Coombs, whose careful financial management, coupled with his drive and knowledge has
brought us to this point, so thank you Mike.
I made a fleeting reference to Enric our new coach just now. We are very lucky to have obtained
his expertise and he has been very popular with those who have signed up for his sessions.
I must mention a notable event that took place before the re-opening of the courts. One Saturday
morning we asked for a working party to clear the brambles and scrub around the area. We had a
terrific response and at least twelve people turned up and all worked like Trojans for several
hours, transforming the whole area. Some were not even members! Thank you to all those people!
I would also like to thank John Browning for making us a new notice board which is so much better
than the old one.
Club sessions have been reasonable this year. We have introduced "Teamer" which is a text and e-
mail communication system which allows members to indicate if they will be attending. We have
about 15 members signed up to it but if anyone else would like to be added to the list, please let me
know as the more the merrier! Sunday club sessions start at 10 am, but you can just turn up even if
you're not on Teamer, but I'm always happy for anyone to ring me to check if others are playing.
On a sad note I am very sorry to report that one of our longest serving members, BruceWilkinson,
died recently. He was one of our stalwarts and had served on the committee until a year ago. He is
very much missed, especially by the senior group who played with him very regularly. Several club
members attended the funeral and the club made a donation to a diabetes charity in memory of
Bruce.
We are going to present the tournament trophies this evening and this seems a good moment to do
it. We had a few new faces in the tournament this year which is always a good thing! lFor those who
have never entered before, please think about it for next year as it is good fun. Now to this year's
winners:
Men's Singles: Rob Leigh
Men's Doubles: Rob Leigh and Phil lNash
Ladies Singles: Joanne Coombs
LadiesDoubles: Elaine Jowett and Sue Whitty
Mixed Doubles: Roger and Elaine Jowett
There were no juniors entered this year but it would be great if we could encourage some for next
year.
Well I think you will agree it has been a brilliant year in many ways and let's hope it's onward and
upward for BBHTC!