Hello!

This is the last weekly newsletter you’ll receive from me as your Chair. After 7 ½ years at the helm, it’s time to hand the baton on to a new team. And that’s exactly what we will do at the Club’s AGM, which takes place at the Club this evening. Doors open from 6pm, and we hope to get started by 6.30pm.

For Members of the Club, you will have received information on the agenda and format for the evening. We hope as many of you as possible will turn up, as we have important matters on which to vote.

It’s always difficult to say goodbye, particularly after such an intense period of change for the Club. To my colleagues who are also stepping down: thank you sincerely. Victoria Kunzer and Richard Noel have been alongside me since we were elected in 2018. They’ve dedicated a huge amount of time and effort to the Club, in their own quiet way, working hard behind the scenes to put on events, attend meetings, raise funds, help organise and effect change, or simply get their hands dirty!

For the past six years, Clive Allenby has been our Club Treasurer. He has brought professionalism to our finances, rigour, process, and has worked tirelessly on our behalf. In addition, he’s taken on project management roles to ensure projects were completed on time and on budget, particularly the LED floodlights for the bubble courts. None of us will be going far! Indeed, Clive has indicated a willingness to be co-opted as honorary Treasurer until we are able to find a suitably qualified candidate.

Inevitably, there are a huge number of people to thank. To those remaining on the Board and being co-opted, thank you for your dedication to the Club and for sharing the vision to deliver. In particular, Martin Tinsley, our Club President since 2010, has been an exceptional help, support and advocate for the Club, for the Board and indeed to me. But those thanks must go much further. A roll call for everyone who has assisted could produce an encyclopaedia, so apologies for not naming everyone individually.

However, without our dedicated staff, who regularly go above and beyond, we’d be nowhere! From the events we organise to the tournaments we hold, the drinks we consume, the catering from the Club and the Poolside Kitchen, or the amazing facilities and fantastic courts we enjoy, they all require a huge amount of hard work to maintain and run. Our staff at the Club have been magnificent and risen to the challenge, often going above and beyond.

To our coaches and instructors: they’re the backbone of our sporting offer. We’ve radically upgraded what we provide as a Club, and it’s in no small part thanks to them and their dedication that we have achieved such progress. And to our sporting committees who work tirelessly to ensure our activities, facilities and events are managed and coordinated.

To our donors and sponsors: I know we have come to you on many occasions to seek support, and you have stepped up, allowing us to tackle a long, long list of legacy issues. From the thatched roof to bar upgrades, refurbishment of the honours boards, providing better sporting facilities, fixing, mending, painting and planting flowers… well, the list goes on!

And especially to you our Members, visitors and guests. Without your continued support, we’d not be here.

It has been a pleasure to serve. I know that my fellow colleagues who are stepping down and I are very proud of what we, together with all of you, have achieved for our Club. And we’re certainly handing over the reins in much better shape than we have been for many years. We’ve had an excellent summer. Membership is rising again, with many projects completed.

Yet the work isn’t done. From our plans underway to provide a practice croquet lawn, to the development of padel, the refurbishment required of our flat roofs, investment in the kitchens, to refurbishment of our ladies’ changing rooms and bar and work required to our sports facilities too. There’s always going to be a long list of projects and a requirement to build our Membership, drive income and to invest.

I’m often asked what I’m most proud of at the Club. Yes, it’s an amazing facility and a wonderful place to be. The grass courts are incredible, and so on. In fact, it’s when I see a busy Club, smiling faces, and messages from Members or visitors who have had a wonderful time. That has been most gratifying.

Whether I decide to write a book about everything that’s gone on over the last seven and a half years… well, we’ll see. But there have been a lot of laughs and positive change too.

Meanwhile, we won’t be going far, and I’m certain we’ll take an active role in supporting our Club in the future.

Thank you to all of you for reading my nonsense every week. For taking action, participating and attending events, and your willingness to support us financially too. Your support has been much appreciated by all of us.

Right, I’d better get to this week’s news!

Swing Your Pants! 80s, 90s and Queen Music Night
Tomorrow! Tickets are still available HERE!

Sunday Lunch LAST CALL | Sunday 19th October
It’s your last call to make your Roast Sunday Lunch bookings!
Tables can be reserved HERE. We hope you can join us!

Christmas | Party Dates and Plans
It’s only 70 days until CHRISTMAS! Our activities and events are selling out, so do make sure you make your bookings. We’ve also got plenty going on — from Wreath Making, Kid’s Disco, Parties, Lunches, our Christmas Market and of course, Carols!
Please contact Jess in the office at events@fosltc.com to secure your spaces.
Or to see all our plans and events, click HERE

Upcoming Events

Friday 17th October – FOSLTC Annual AGM
Saturday 18th October – 80’s, 90’s & QUEEN Night! Tickets available HERE
Sunday 19th October – Roast Sunday Lunch. To view, click HERE
Monday 20th October – Frinton Literary Presents, Greta Scacchi in conversation with Peter Guttridge. Tickets available in Caxton Books, 55 Connaught Avenue.
Saturday 25th October – The Philomena Dwyer Literary Lunch with Lisa Jewell – Tickets available in Caxton Books, 55 Connaught Avenue
Friday 31st October – Halloween Movie Marathon! More info HERE
Saturday 22nd November – Dinner with Iain Dale, Frinton Literary Festival Book Event – Tickets available in Caxton Books, 55 Connaught Avenue
Sunday 23rd November – Roast Sunday Lunch. To view, click HERE
Saturday 29th November – Christmas Market – 11am until 3pm

Of course there are plenty of sports activities to get involved with. Our classes continue into the autumn as do our social sporting activities for tennis, pickleball, croquet, walking football, squash and our gym and classes. Please do participate, book your courts and get involved!

That really is it from me. Thank you for reading and for your support. Wishing the new team every success in continuing our work and mission to ensure our Club doesn’t just survive, but thrives!

Have a wonderful week. Over and out!

James Max
Club Chairman