News Update 20 June 2014
June 2014 Newsletter
Firstly, thanks to everyone who supported our RallyforBally fund raiser last weekend. Our sales of Big Breakfasts, cakes and tea/coffee, together with donations raised £140 to be divided equally between the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity and the Elena Baltacha Tennis Academy. Thanks to Sheila C for her help in the kitchen!
Sheila has also offered to organise a raffle later in the year. She has already secured a number of very good prizes from members and would be pleased to hear from anyone else who can provide a prize.
Further to the sad news about John Tunnicliffe in the last update, a few words below:
John Tunnicliffe (1936 – 2014)
John played tennis throughout his life. He was a member of Syston Northfields among other clubs before joining Oadby over 20 years ago. He was a regular figure on our courts every Sunday morning as well as playing in daytime fixed fours. He was a very keen competitor who loved playing matches against other clubs and county sides and was captain of Leicestershire’s 75+ team.
Two members have written the following: “A man devoted to his tennis. He never gave up.” “I was always impressed by his effort and commitment which I found an inspiration. I shall miss him”.
Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.
Clubhouse Development & Sport England
Following on from the EGM where we made a commitment to keep members informed about our progress with our Sport England Award, I am pleased to tell you that we have started to award the tenders to contractors.
As per our original intention and Sport England's criteria, we have obtained three quotes for each job (over 18 quotes in total). There have been lots of decisions to make that have involved a great deal of discussion. There are also a couple of things that have moved forward which weren't in our original bid.
Firstly, the committee has taken the decision to plaster the majority of the lounge/bar area. Some brickwork will remain across the front and to the left of the bar in order to preserve some of the original features. Brickwork in the entrance hall/corridor will remain.
We have also made the decision to have all of the windows replaced - they will be rosewood on the outside/white on the inside and will be triple glazed. This will mean that we can do away with the secondary glazing that was put in some years ago.
Another decision is to install solar panels on the roof. Whilst this wasn't in the original bid, Sport England have agreed to, and are enthusiastic about, our intentions in this area. The club has discussed at committee meetings the possibility of going down this route a number of times before, but the costs to the club at the time meant that any project just wasn't viable. However, we are now in a different situation. Whilst generating electricity for ourselves, we would also be exporting back to the national grid and, over the next 6 or 7 years, will have paid back the initial costs (if we were paying for it ourselves). If numbers are your thing, Paul is your man to speak to! As I have mentioned, Sport England have agreed to this as it falls within the Environmental Sustainability remit of the project. It also fits within our budget, there will no extra financial cost to the club.
There will be a gas boiler which will be sited in the loft, which will free up space within the men’s changing rooms. It will also be more efficient than the boiler we are running at the moment.
The contractors working with us will be:
Central Heating - East Goscote Plumbers
Lighting - Glenfield Electrical
Windows - Welland Valley
Plastering - Robert Smith
Solar Heating - Solar Heat UK
The total costs for the above is approximately £47,000 (our grant was £45,698).
You will also see that the results from the recent online survey are up at the club, notice has been taken of comments made and revamping the patio and bar areas are on the agenda, however with a busy couple of months ahead these may be projects that run into my year as ex-officio!
Please appreciate that to make decisions like these on behalf of club members is never easy for the committee and we know that, alongside the strong supporters, there will be others who are not fully in favour. Through careful budgeting of these improvements, however, we will be able to have more than in the original plan (given the overestimates explained at the EGM). The end result will be a much more energy efficient clubhouse with a lighter, brighter, more modern feel to the lounge/hall which takes the club into the next phase of its successful 68 year existence.
Work Party 12th/13th July
During the period of clubhouse development, some money can be saved by some work being done by members ourselves. The first help we need is to help clear the lounge area and dust proof the bar/kitchen on the weekend of 12th/13th July. We are asking for 1/2 a day from 10 or so people. We'll put a sign up sheet in the foyer. Thanks in advance to all volunteers.
Diary Dates
Word Cup/Wimbledon – watch matches from the clubhouse !
Sunday 29th June – Open Day, 1.30-4pm, all courts in use. This is part of the Great British Tennis Weekend, offering free coaching to adults and juniors. A poster is attached if you have a place where one can be displayed.
If you know of anyone who is interested please get them to come along to the event – membership rates reduced on the day and for the week following.
We are also in need of some spare racquets for adults so if you have any old unwanted ones, please bring them to the club
Wednesday 2nd July – Adult Open Day follow-up, alongside usual Wednesday evening mix-in
Saturday 5th July – Closing date for Leics. Closed County Tournament
Sunday 6th July – Wimbledon Men’s Final, on TV in the clubhouse. Bar, strawberries and cream and other delights available!
Saturday mid July – Parent & Child Tournament, date to be confirmed.
Saturday 26th July- Start of Leics. Closed County Tournament for a week
Tuesday 5th August – Men’s Night
Saturday 16th August – Ladies’ Afternoon
Best wishes
Katie
Ps Please note that Sue will be away from her laptop (and Oadby!) for 7 out of the next 10 days so if you need to get in touch please mail me on katieengland74@aol.co.uk
