WHEATHAMPSTEAD LAWN TENNIS CLUB

 

Minutes of the AGM

Held on Friday 7^th December 2007at 8pm

In the Hewitt Room, Memorial Hall, Wheathampstead

 

Present: Rob Carr (Chair), Rick Smale (Vice Chair),Val Carr (Secretary), Keith Andrews (Treasurer),Catherine Joce (Membership), Julia Verney (Social), Bob Tink (Captain), Dan Boon, Andrew Innes, Cathy Honey, Andy Honey, Caroline Boon, Kath Andrews, Simon White, Rosemary White, Ben Killner, Christine Gatward, Frank McGuire, Barbara McGuire, Mike Rouse (Juniors), Paul Dyson, Janet Hayes, (plus 5 juniors).

 

1. Apologies for absence:

Colin Heal,Tessa & Simon Robinson, Mark Tant, Chris Ellis, Matt Foster, Ingrid Stobart, Helen Nuttall, Alison & Steve Wainwright, Abby George

2. Minutes of AGM on 1^st December 2006 and matters arising

  Approved, no matters arising.  Approval proposed Dan Boon, seconded Rosemary White.

 

3. Presentation of Club Trophies

         Jack Charlton Men's Singles – Chris Ellis, accepted by Rob Carr on behalf of Chris who sent a message of thanks to Aleem for a great match, congratulations to other winners and comments relating to the set of younger players coming through.

          Wally Sanger Ladies' Singles – Abby George

          Clapp  Mens Doubles – undecided at time of meeting

              Ladies Doubles – Ingrid Stobart/Cathy Honey

    Cecil Allen Mixed Doubles – Abby George/ Keith Andrews

    Bob Sparrow Junior Singles – Ben Giddens

    Eric Artiss Junior Doubles – Ben Giddens/Jamie Hardy

    Most Improved Adult – Colin Heal

    Most Improved Junior – Richard White

    Swingers Cup – Andrew Innes/Abby George

 

4. Committee Reports

Chair – Rob Carr reviewed the year and considered that it had been an easier year than recently and one for consolidation with improving membership numbers.  The teams have seen success in the Datchworth leagues which now involve more than 100 teams from local clubs.  The 3rd/4ths/5ths have all been promoted and we should consider entering a 6^th team next year.

 

The juniors have had a successful year with the U16 boys team winning their division in the Herts Summer League and reaching a semi final at Gosling, also winning their division in U15 Winter Singles league.  There is now the first ever girls team playing for the club this winter, but at the time of the meeting, they had not played their first fixture.

 

Thanks to the Parish Council for the new perimeter fencing – we have not had trouble with people climbing the new fence, but this may be because it is possible to crawl beneath the gate!   The next project will be to arrange for the courts to be re-painted, although they may need to be cleaned again in advance of this.

 

The big issue remains the extension to the hours of floodlight use.  The Parish has refused to support our application and we await a decision from St Albans DC.

 

Negotiations are ongoing with the PC relating to a rent review and it was observed that relations with the PC are not at their best currently.  This is unfortunate at progress had been made.

 

Social tennis is healthy with a steady group of people enjoying general mixed club night throughout the year and a regular fortnightly ladies morning.  There was also the advent a new tournament, Turbo Tennis, which proved to be a great success and will be repeated next season.

 

Thanks to the team, led by Julia and Dan, for the fantastic summer ball this year.  Maintained the tradition of memorable events -  thanks extended to Dan & Julia, Helen Nuttall, Ingrid Stobart, Alison Wainwright, Carole Smale, Debbie Millar.  Next event will be the Ceilidh on 8^th March 2008.

 

Thanks to departing committee members Paul Dyson & Val Carr for their effort and energy over the years.  Presented with wine & flowers as token of appreciation.

 

Reminder to sign up for British Tennis – an initiative by the LTA which requires all members who wish to be included in the Wimbledon draw to be a member of BT.  Free if signed up by 31/12/07.

 

Treasurer – Keith Andrews distributed accounts for perusal.  The subscriptions were increased last year in accordance with the business plan.  Membership levels have increased and this was helped by the leaflet drop initiative, which will be repeated this year.

 

The majority of floodlighting tokens are those sold with membership and this balanced with expenditure.  Depreciation will be covered through  club funds.

 

Other income comes from the ball profit (£700) and Village Day (£800) both of which are similar to last year.  The expenditure is slightly higher this year as a new lock was fitted to the gate and keys were required.  The cost of court cleaning is shown under repairs.  The surplus for the year is £2,000, similar to last year.

 

Plans for next year-

Court surface needs attention and the cost of resurfacing and painting is approx. £7,000 ( throug Anglian & Midland).  This treatment would prolong the life of the courts by about 5 years.  Unfortunately, relations with the PC are not good at present and although the Parish is responsible for repair and replacement of the surface, they are unlikely to do this work.  This will be discussed together with the rent review. The club needs to reserve funds for complete replacement in about 7 – 10 years time, when we could consider a different surface (as commented by Cathy H).

 

Bob T asked how much the electricity costs per hour for the lights and at present is is approx. 80p /hour.

 

Accounts proposed Rosemary White, seconded Ben Killner.

 

Membership -  Catherine reported that membership is up by 45 members comprising 169 adults/169 juniors (338).  Some members didn't renew, but these were replaced with 53 new adults and 50 new juniors.  The Village Day promotion generated 26 members, some of whom were non members in coaching.  The challenge now is to keep these new members by offering the right sort of playing opportunities (eg ladies morning etc).

 

Captain – Bob T congratulated the teams in general and commented on the junior success.  There was no Herts ladies team this year, but this enabled us to put out 2 Orchard teams.  The A team won 2, lost one and had a dead heat and the B team won 2 and lost 2.

The men play a lot of tennis (2 Herts mens, Winter Singles, Greenway Floodlit doubles) but being a village club, don't really expect to win the major championships, but we have enjoyable matches.  The teams were greatly enhanced by the introduction of some of the juniors this season.

The mixed doubles are the most successful group and have done really well in 4 divisions, with promotion for 3 teams – Datchworth trophies re-presented to 4^th & 5ths.  This is probably WLTC's most successful season to date.

Datchworth Results:

                Summer                      Autumn   

1st's     5^th Div 2                           Winners Div 4             

2nd's    7^th Div 4B                         4^th Div 5

3rd's     2^nd Div 5B(promoted)        3^rd Div 8

4th's     Winners Div 7C

5th's     Winners Div 7B

                                  

 Thanks to the team captains for their continued efforts: Mark Tant, Aleem Cummins, Kath Andrews, Andy Honey, Andrew Innes, Rick Smale, Roger Ellis, Ben Killner, Christine Gatward, Val Carr.

 

Confirmed that we intend to enter a ladies team into the Herts league next year.

 

Juniors – Mike Rouse confirmed he hope s to expand the playing opportunities for the younger juniors and aims to run a mini red event at some time this season.  The red players are regularly attending competitions at Odyssey Club and his aim for 2008 is to develop this activity.

 

Coaching – apologies received from Matt and report read by Rob C.  All junior groups well supported with over 60 children attending coaching each week in the main season.  Thanks to Mike Rouse for his support with the mini reds and taking them to matchplay tournaments.  Hope to have mini green and orange squads in place for 2008 too.  Congratulations to the teenagers in the older teams.

Adult coaching well supported Friday lunchtime with a keen group of beginners/improvers and thanks to Catherine for her help with the Ladies Team sessions.

Thanks to Neil for his reliability, never been late or missed a session and the kids enjoy his sessions. 

TTC LTd looking forward to a 7^th season with WLTC.

 

Premises – Colin Heal's report presented by Rick Smale.  Thanks to the PC for completing all the clubhouse works and for the new fencing.  With regard to the floodlighting – a planning application to extend the hours of use was submitted on 5^th November and a decision is due at the end of December, but more likely in January.  We have been told it will be dealt with under delegated powers (officer's decision).  The WLTC committee is prepared to negotiate and accept a compromise which will satisfy members and neighbours.  The PC have objected to the application by voting on party lines, the Chair's casting vote sealed the decision against.  There seems to be a personal objection by the current Chair of the PC  to any activity by the tennis club, despite support from other councillors.  It was noted that members and residents letters of support carry as much weight as the Parish objections.  The District Councillor (Chris Oxley) has agreed to speak to the case officer on our behalf.

 

Various attempts have been made to alleviate the problems with glare from the floodlights to neighbours gardens, but so far an agreed solution has not been found.

 

Clubhouse cleaning rota will include members of teams (incorporated team captains last year) and it is suggested that the teams are given the task on a monthly basis (eg 1sts March, 2nds April etc).

 

Simon White observed that the courts need cleaning again soon – this will be done in conjunction with the resurfacing.

 

6. Election of Committee for 2008

 

It was confirmed that Paul Dyson and Val Carr were leaving the committee and the following were proposed for 2008:

Chair – Rob Carr                        Proposed Rosemary White/Seconded Christine Gatward

Vice Chair – Rick Smale              Proposed  Rob Carr/Seconded  Bob Tink 

Treasurer – Keith Andrews          Proposed Rosemary White/Seconded Christine Gatward

Secretary – Dan Boon                 Proposed Rosemary White/Seconded   Ben Killner

Membership  - Catherine Joce      Proposed Rob Carr  /Seconded   Val Carr

Club Captain – Bob Tink              Proposed Ben Killner/Seconded Christine Gatward

Child Protection – Kath Andrews  Proposed Rob Carr  /Seconded   Val Carr

 

Also proposed as committee members – Julia Verney Social & minutes, Colin Heal Premises, Mike Rouse Juniors, Ben Killner Communications, Christine Gatward general/supplies, Helen Nuttall general – all proposed Val Carr/Seconded Andrews

 

7. Any other Business

Simon White – Queries whether we should significantly increase membership fees, Keith responded by confirming there is a small increase planned for 2008 (2% in line with the business plan) and that we wish to remain an affordable club.

 

Simon White proposed a vote of thanks to the Committee.

 

8. Date of 1st meeting 2008 – to be decided.