October MCS Newsletter 🍁

Dates for the Diary 📆

• AGM - Monday 18th November

• American tournament - Sunday 29th December

AGM - A message from David 📨

The MCS Tennis Club Annual General Meeting will be held on Monday 18^th November in Mathon Parish Hall from 7pm. Snacks and drinks will be available to purchase on the night (in aid of club funds).

Amongst other topics we will be hearing the annual reports, applauding the club tournament winners and appointing club officers. Click here to view the proposed agenda.

In the same way we did last year, in this mail I am going to highlight the existing committee structure and then ask for people to put themselves forward to join the committee (in specific roles) and potentially nominate others.  For each person we will need a proposer and seconder (including to re-elect existing members of the committee). Your existing committee is as follows:

•  Chair - David Gibbard

• Treasurer – Tony Poyner

• Membership/General Support – Pat Pugh

• Secretary – Alice Eden

• Welfare Officer & Coaching Liaison – Alison Walford

• Grounds & Maintenance – Sheila Wilson

• Tech (& Communications) – Bella Bardswell

• Ladies Captain – Helen Galassini

• Men’s Captain – Steve Meredith

Please note that both myself and Bella are standing down at the AGM.  We need to find a new person to fill the role of Chairman and also Tech & Comms roles (Bella has kindly agreed to continue to help us where time permits, so really we need someone to look after topics such as Comms/Social Media/Marketing and potentially Fundraising and Sponsorship).

All other committee members have expressed their intention to continue/stand for re-election at the AGM which I am absolutely delighted about as they all do a great job.  But we would still welcome volunteers to join the committee and help the team run our wonderful club.

We would also welcome volunteers in the roles of team captains who are as follows:

• Ladies Captain – Helen Galassini

• Ladies B Captain – Anne Spargo / Kim Armitage

• Men’s Captain – Steve Meredith

• Men’s B Captain – (unofficially) David Gibbard

• Mixed A Captain – Alison Walford

• Mixed B Captain – Sheila Wilson

Please send questions, nominations and volunteers to me (David) by the end of October so we can take stock and see where we are at that point. You can get in touch by sending an email to [email protected].

Need new strings? 🧵 

We are lucky enough to have secured the services of master stringer, Mick Dixon for the club. Mick lives near Ledbury. Mike offers a highly personalised restringing service:

• If a client would like a restring I try to assess which type of string would suit. Things like elbow/shoulder injuries 1st then spin/flat hitters and so on. I’d make a recommendation and string the racket.

• If the client is pleased all is good. If not quite right I cut out and put a new set in making slight or sometimes major adjustments. The client will only pay once even though I may have 2-3 go to get it right.

• Once we have it sorted I know what works for future restrings.

• If the client goes for a stock string they are £20 however if they want to purchase a higher-end string then a charge of £12 is added to the cost of the string.

• Collection and return can be done in a number of ways - best to make a plan on a case-by-case basis. I like to turn rackets around as quickly as possible.

• Click here to view a poster about Mike

American Tournament - Sunday 6th October 🏆

Despite the persistent drizzle rain did not stop play! We had a fantastic turnout at the tournament and managed to get six rounds in each, no mean feat with the weather and over 16 participants. Congratulations to David who was the clear winner, it was a bit closer for second place, with silver being shared between Mary, Sheila, Bella, Catriona and James. Big thanks to Sonia and Pat who were in charge of the order of play logistics on the day.

The tennis was followed by a BBQ and the return of the MCS Burger - thanks to Chris for his expert BBQ’ing skills! Also a massive THANK YOU to all those who supported us by playing, eating or cheering and helped make the day a success. The next American tournament is on Sunday 29th December.

In case you’re wondering what is a quaich is?

A quaich is a traditional Scottish shallow two-handled drinking cup. Its name is derived from Gaelic cuach, simply meaning “cup”. It is also often referred to as the “cup of friendship”.

Singles Ladder 🎾 

Helen is organising a singles ladder for those of you who want to run around more and/or want to play more competitive tennis! All are welcome to sign up. Here’s a message from Helen:

“Come and join the 10 men and women brave enough to join the singles “ladder”, where we all start at the bottom and try to climb up it. There will be some random Monday and Friday “singles” nights, or challenge your opponents at other times. Points for playing, points for winning. £3 entry fee. Email Helen for more details. All welcome.”

Serve ‘n’ Snack Shack 🍫

Plenty of supplies including some crisps, chocolate and soft drinks and mini-cheddars are available. Prices are on the fridge door and money goes in the honesty box in the cupboard. 

Free balls if you refer new members 🎾

We would love some new members. Let your friends and family know about the club. If an adult signs up due to your introduction then a lovely tube of Head balls will be yours. Please send Bella an email to claim your balls.

Club Kit 👕

Why not complete your tennis experience, be the envy of your club mates and also help to raise club funds by ordering some cool club kit?  Hoodies, jackets, T-shirts, polo shirts, and headbands are all available. For further information, catalogue details and a quote please contact Kim Armitage on email.

Safeguarding 💛

Any safeguarding concerns contact the club Welfare Officer, Alison Walford, on 07967 627733 or email.  The first aid kit is in the cupboard on the left of the clubhouse as you enter. As a reminder, the defibrillator code is C1267.

Tennis Balls 🎾

Head Tour balls can be purchased from the club for £6 for a 4-ball tube. If you need balls, please contact Peter by email or text (07752704525) who will let you know how to get hold of your balls and how to pay. Please do not take balls without agreeing with Peter in advance. 

Facebook 📱

Click here to follow MCS Tennis Club on Facebook for news, events and results updates as they happen 

Feedback 💬

Please drop Bella an email with feedback, ideas or requests for content.