Elliswick LTC Newsletter – November 2023
Dear Members,
Welcome to our November Newsletter.
AGM – 2nd December 2023 at 10:30am
Please do try to attend this important meeting and support your club. If you cannot attend, it is very important to the club to get as many proxies as possible before the AGM so as to achieve a quorum. If you are not able to attend in person, please do appoint a proxy to ensure that we have a quorum. You can nominate your choice of proxy (which can be the Chair) in an email to [email protected].
CLUBHOUSE KEYS HOLDER
We are trying to record how many members are holding the keys to our clubhouse, if you are one of those, please would you let us know by emailing Andree Haxton at [email protected] so that we can amend our records accordingly.
MEMBERSHIP
We are changing our online membership system for 2024, and so it is Really Important that ALL members aged 16 and over have their own LTA Advantage account. You will need this account for renewals, court bookings and newsletters.
If you have registered for Court Bookings in the past, you will need to upgrade your Clubspark email account to an LTA Advantage account when you receive your renewal notice. However, you can do this earlier (please see the link below)
If you have never registered for court bookings, you should have received a link from us to set up an account. This link is personal to each member and non-transferable. If you need this link re-sent to you, please contact Sally Radcliffe (Membership Secretary) at [email protected] or phone if you have further difficulties (07966 890992).
Invoices for renewal will be sent by Clubspark on or soon after 1st January.
GROUNDS & CLUBHOUSE
• The club’s solar PV installation was completed by Deeks Electrical and handed over on 16 November. It comprises 54 solar panels and an 11.6kWh storage battery. The settings have been optimised and the system is now operating as planned. Thank you for your forbearance while the work was undertaken.
- Regular electricity meter readings, and the OWL energy monitoring system installed in March, are indicating some disturbing trends regarding the club’s pattern of energy use. According to historical energy use data, the monthly energy demand between Nov 2023 and Feb 2024 was expected to be around 2,500kWh, however it is currently running at a monthly rate of more than 4,000kWh (costing almost £1,000 more each month than budgeted). Analysis of the data indicates that roughly 60% of the energy is used by the floodlights, with the remaining 40% used within the clubhouse, for the underfloor heating, lighting, and appliances.
- Members who use the floodlights will be aware that there is currently no ‘off’ switch – at present they remain on for 105 minutes after being switched ‘on’, irrespective of whether players are still on court. Changes to reduce the energy demand by improving the control of the floodlights are: 1) the installation on Mon 4 Dec of an ‘off’ switch that will allow players to switch off the floodlights after use and 2) the timed ‘on’ period will be reduced from 105 to 90 minutes. Notices regarding floodlight use will be posted in the clubhouse, once the changes have been made.
- The daily heating programme and temperature settings for the clubhouse are also under review, with the intent of reducing the energy load. Please note that the wall thermostats are locked, and members are requested not to attempt to change the settings – wall heaters are available if the clubhouse temperature needs a boost.
- There are frequent problems with blockages in the toilets (the male toilets in particular). Whilst the plumbing system has some deficiencies, problems should not occur if the facilities are used properly. The blockages result when a few individuals use excessive amounts of paper, don’t flush the toilet properly, and fail to clean up after themselves. The plunger located in the cubicle is usually effective in clearing blockages – please don’t expect the committee and other volunteers to clean up the mess created by others!
TEAM TENNIS
Men’s Tennis
The autumn/winter matches for the Men’s vets are underway. Many thanks to all the captains for organising your teams and best of luck to all our players who are taking part in the over 45, over 55 and over 65 age categories. Also, good luck to our 1st team who are playing in the Herts National Winter League.
Ladies Tennis
The autumn/winter matches (ladies vets) are underway. We entered 4 ladies’ teams again this year (40A, 50A, 50B and 60A). Good luck to all the ladies, who are playing in the cold autumn/winter months.
Mixed Team Tennis
East Herts Winter Mixed league is underway with our 6 teams which runs through to March 2024. Good luck to all the players.
JUNIOR TENNIS
We currently have 3 teams playing in the Herts Juniors Winter Leagues. Good luck to everyone.
Marc Stacey has set up a WhatsApp Group for the parents of those juniors who wish to continue to play on a Friday afternoon/evening. Please use the link below if you wish to join.
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KhPT1Vn5ujcCmBZ4BisbAf
SOCIALS
Lulu and the Hullabaloos on Saturday 11th November was a great success. Thanks to Louisa and the gang who managed to get the attendees dancing the night away with their music. The pub night out on Thursday the 23rd was well attended. The next pub night is 18th January!!
COMING UP :
- Ladies Charity Christmas Lunch on Tuesday 5thDecember from 12:00pm.
All lady members are invited to the ‘Bring & Share’ Christmas lunch. This year, we will be donating the proceeds to our local Riding for the Disabled centre. Elliswick member Sandra Addleman has volunteered there for many years and has seen first-hand the benefits of riding to people who have mental and/or physical challenges. The costs of running the centre are huge and they rely on donations to maintain a high level of service to both the ponies and riders.
- Music and Magic Evening (December 10th). Unfortunately, this event is now fully booked.
However, if you would like to make a contribution to this very worthwhile children’s charity, please do so using this Justgiving link:
- Jazzy Christmas with Dave Pankhurst’s Band on Thursday 14thDecember at 8pm. Bar will be open from 7:30pm. Tickets are £10pp and profits to be donated to Medicines sans Frontiers (Doctors without borders). This is going to be a fantastic event to wrap up the year and celebrate all your tennis successes. Book tickets here: https://forms.gle/3SMLyWjKtkD45R4t8
- Finally, If you are interested in seeing the Dire Straits tribute band at the Eric Morecambe theatre on 29th February please reserve you place here: we need to confirm numbers very soon. https://forms.gle/p96YKkqo22NKD2TZ6
- Dinner Dance – Saturday 5th October 2024
As part of our Centenary celebration, we will be holding a dinner dance on Saturday the 5th October 2024. Please put the date in your diary. More details to be follow.
- Our Social Secretary will be putting together a calendar of socials and events in January 2023 so if anyone has any ideas or wishes to organise an event please get in touch with Jane Bisseker at [email protected]
Lost Property Boxes
Please look through the lost property boxes (clothing, racquets, water bottles) in the clubhouse as the boxes will be emptied at the end of next week.
Until the next newsletter, we wish you and your family a very happy and healthy holiday period.
Kind Regards
Elliswick LTC Committee
PS, Don’t forget to keep up to date with events at our website http://www.elliswickltc.co.uk and follow our Facebook page as well.