Tuesday, 18th July, 2006
at Heath Farm, Plumpton Green
Present: Paul Mitchell (Chair), Christine Gannon, Marilyn Hanbury, Jennie Holland, Mike Warren.
1. Apologies for Absence:
None
2. Approval of Previous Minutes (9th May)
Approved as a true record
3. Matters arising:
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Mike will make the two agreed charity donations to The Care Club and the Activity Scheme in Plumpton.
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The new website has not yet been completely finished though good progress is being made and the site
should be live soon. Chris Chapman (site designer) has been paying the hosting fee for the website and will need
to be reimbursed. Paul said that Chris was aware of this and that he should invoice Mike for the fees paid and transfer
the hosting direct debit to the club account.
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A fee of £104.00 had been agreed with Alan Mates for the badminton club’s regular weekly booking of a tennis court
on Thursday evenings. A discount had been allowed for block booking and the fact that some badminton club players are members. Mike would invoice Alan for this amount.
4. Premises.
Nick Thompson, the new groundsman joined the meeting for this item.
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Maintenance equipment - Nick reported that the mower has now been repaired. Nick also stated that
he needed a powerful strimmer to deal with the heavy under growth around the courts. It was agreed
that Nick would buy a strimmer from R.A. Palmer in Haywards Heath that he had identified. Mike
provided the required cheque for £200. Paul reported that a hedge trimmer had also been purchased.
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Clubhouse path – everyone reported positive feedback about the path to the clubhouse completed by
Ian Streeter.
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Access Track Repairs – Paul had put the club’s concerns about the depression in the track in writing
to the Parish Council who were writing to the Water Board to investigate the action that could be taken.
Paul to keep chasing.
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Extended Parking Area - there was brief discussion about whether the proposed area for parking development
would ever be needed in the future for the building of a new clubhouse – it was agreed that would not be
the case. As a result it was agreed to accept the quote of £1795.00 plus VAT from Drivepoint to lay the concrete.
Marilyn will deal with the company. Chris had contacted the LTA to enquire if any financial help could be given
but unfortunately the normal contact, Liz Wigley has now left the role of co-ordinator. No reply has been received,
so Chris will follow up.
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Court and Net Repairs - Nick will repair the wire in one of the spare nets and fit the net centre stop
on court 3. Paul will follow up Mike’s contact with Trevor May, the contractors who laid the courts
regarding the cracks on court 1. John De Ridder will be approached about the purchase of more weedkiller,
as supplies have run out.
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Clubhouse Keys - the lock on the clubhouse has a crack and as a result members had reported difficulties
getting the key to work. Nick was authorised to purchase a combination lock for interim use until the
lock is replaced on a permanent basis.
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General – Nick reported that some of the wood on the clubhouse window is rotten and that he had been
asked to ensure that the toilet door is rehung. Nick stated that he would contact Mick Jackson
(club member and carpenter) about both these issues.
5. Financial Report.
The assets of the club at present are:
| Portman Building Society: |
£18,804.07 |
| Tennis Club Lloyds TSB: |
£6,817.34 |
| Petty cash |
£204.34 |
| Total: |
£25,825.75 |
The balance was up approximately £3,700 since the last meeting this largely due to membership and Wimbledon ticket
receipts. Thanks were recorded to Alan Mates who had done an excellent job of selling the Wimbledon tickets.
The change to the new savings account from Portman Building Society to Alliance & Leicester will be completed shortly.
6. Membership Report
This membership year we have only signed up 14 new members. We have retained 95 members from last year, so the
total is currently 109. The number of new members is significantly down on previous years and all agreed that this
reflected the decision not to carry out significant marketing this year. As a result it was decided to renew the
marketing effort next year.
As agreed at the last meeting Paul had asked members to come forward who would be interested in supervising a
weekend club session. No volunteers have come forward so no action will be taken.
7. Comments from the membership
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Martin Range commented that the path to the clubhouse was excellent, but wondered when the path from the main
road will be repaired. See item 4 above
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John Dickie requested more car parking space. See item 4.
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Maria Roche proposed discontinuing the £2.00 match fee paid by participants for league matches.
The committee was broadly in favour of the idea but a new approach could not be agreed in the
time available. This will be discussed again at the next meeting and a proposal put to the AGM.
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Paul reported that some members had queried when visitors fees should be paid regarding some
events. Some members had felt that there was a grey area surrounding the charging of fees to
members of visiting clubs. The committee endorsed the conclusion that if an event had been reported
to the committee and was open to all members, it is an official club event and no visitor’s fee
is chargeable. If not endorsed by the committee as a club event then it is a private arrangement
between members and individuals who happen to be members of other clubs and the visitors fee
is payable by any non-members (£3 per adult per hour, £1.50 per junior per hour). The AGM will
be asked to ratify this decision.
8. Events Calendar
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Thanks were expressed to Marilyn Hanbury and Ann Jones for the organisation of the very successful
Ladies Day on the 18th May. A profit of £345.00 was made. 11 pairs played, the weather was good
and the food was wonderful.
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The club tournament is underway. All members would be encouraged to attend on finals day on Sunday 17th September.
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The American Tournament was cancelled, since only three entries were received.
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The Junior tournament on the 17th June was a great success. Two juniors joined the club as a result.
It is hoped to make this a regular event to encourage the juniors to play competitive tennis.
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The Open Day on 2nd July was very successful. Two courts were in full use for 2 hours by a mixture
of existing members and local non-members.
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The Rosebowl Tournament will take place in October and be organised by Jennie. The application forms
will be issued three weeks beforehand. There will be a prize of wine/tennis balls, as well as the
Rosebowl trophy for the winning man and lady.
9. Future Committee roles.
Paul stated that, subject to being elected, he would be happy to carry out either the role of Chairman or
Membership secretary next year but could not continue to do both roles at present as this is too demanding.
Jennie said that she might consider putting herself forward for the membership role and would talk to Paul
about what is involved. Paul asked existing committee members to make their intentions known re standing
again at the next meeting. It was agreed that ideally the committee would be expanded to 6 members. Any members
interested in joining the committee should contact Paul.
10. Any Other Business
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Brendan Carroll had volunteered to become Men’s Match Secretary and an entry has been made for the
LTA Winter league.
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A contribution was given by the club to a farewell gift for Alan Greening, who has helped raise
£14,000 for the village in 88 Jumble sales and 34 other events over the past 15 years. The gift
is being organised by Karen Beard of the Village Hall Management Committee. Alan has also helped
raise money for the tennis club at events such as our annual jumble sale.
11. Next Meeting
Tuesday 26th September 2006 - 7.30pm at Heath Farm, Plumpton Green