Hello!
I have managed to secure some decent weather as we head into the Bank Holiday Weekend. You’re welcome. In a packed newsletter, I hope you’ll pay particular attention to the changes in our booking systems and actions arising! Here we go…
New Tennis Booking System
As with any change, there is sometimes a why? (have you done this), how? (will it work), what? (on earth are you up to), have you? (really thought about the consequences). Well, the time to change our Club’s booking system is upon us. The old one was clunky, didn’t take payments and for a range of reasons we are upgrading. As with any changes, not only will you have to adapt to a new way of doing things but yes, we expect there may be some teething problems as we get settled.
Here’s the background. The bubble is hopefully going up on the 5th Sept (weather permitting). Our Club need to address the loss of revenue from non-payment when the bubble is booked. The Tennis Committee have recommended changes to the current system which the Board have endorsed. We hope these changes will remedy the situation.
On behalf of the Club and the Board, I want to thank Bill Greeno and our Tennis Committee for driving these changes through and as ever to Kim for making the necessary upgrades. It’s quite a bit of upheaval and a major piece of work! Please bear with us as we will work through these also please feel free to contact Bill Greeno directly if you encounter any problems or with any comments via his personal email
billgreeno358@btinternet.com
We will be communicating the new instructions to all Tennis, AAA and Squash Members. And posting these changes onto our website HERE.
The new system going forward for the hard courts and bubble will go live on Saturday 27th August. The old system will be shut off on Friday 28th August so there will be a period of time that the grass courts cannot be booked and we will operate a manual system for the remaining 2 weeks of the grass court season. Members need to ring the office to book courts for this period.
As part of these changes we have moved some of the prices around. In many cases they have actually dropped. Please do have a look at the charges as we are also trying to decrease pressure on particular times and see our courts and facilities used more widely across the weekdays and weekends.
- We are using the ClubSpark system. Courts can be only be booked and paid for via ClubSpark. You’ll need a log-in and details on how to do this will be on the formal communication.
- Courts can be cancelled and refunded 48 hours prior to booking time.
- Members can continue to pay for lighting on the other hard courts at the bar at a cost of £1 per person per half hour session.
We hope this move will be easier to manage longer term, more convenient to you, allow for more flexibility in booking AND see greater revenue coming to the Club. Non payment of court and lighting fees won’t be tolerated. With increased energy costs, we all need to recognise that we must cover our costs and pay our fair share. Depending upon how all of this works we may have to revise our fees during the year. For now, we are acutely aware of the pressures we are all facing and will do all we can to keep prices under control.
Fundraising Update
Our thatched roof fundraising has now almost reached the £60,000 threshold which means just over £30,000 to go. If you haven’t already donated we very much hope you will do so. Ideally through using the website, if not, via the office. We are looking for donations, large and small. For example, if every member donated just £20, this could raise £20,000. Any amounts will be gratefully received and if you are UK taxpayer, the government will add 25% in gift aid. Now there’s an incentive!
Please donate HERE
Auction bids now total £4,612. New auction items have been added and most items are still at very attractive prices. A Week in Provence for four at only £400! a Flight for two is currently at only £60 Check them all out online and please bid HERE.
Karaoke TONIGHT!
The ‘karaoke bank holiday extravaganza’ is happening tonight! Don’t miss out – should be a great fun night out! It all starts at 8pm in the bar with your effervescent hosts, James Blackman and Bill Greeno. Enjoy!
Swimming Pool
The swimming pool and our Poolside Kitchen will be open this Bank Holiday Monday (no maintenance this Monday!). Food will be served from 12pm to 6pm. The forecast doesn’t look too bad, so why not pop down for a quick dip and alfresco lunch! Booking of the pool for juniors is essential!
Unfortunately, it’s not long to go until our pool will close to mark the end of the summer season. The pool will close for children after 4th September and for adults after 18th September.
Why not make the most of it whilst we’re heated and open.
Croquet
We are running a Croquet competition for members this Saturday 27th August. Anyone can enter to win the coveted ‘Richard Everett Cup’ for Association Croquet singles or the ‘John and Susie Anderson Cup’ for doubles. The cups will be presented to the winners in the late afternoon. In both competitions, a plaque to take home and put on the mantlepiece is also at stake. The competition starts at 11am and is scheduled to be finished by 5pm. Plese enter by midnight Friday 26th – email croquet@fosltc.com
Kirby-le-Soken Fete
Similar to the Jubilee celebrations, Richard Everett, will be running a Croquet Challenge at the Kirby Fete on Bank Holiday Monday (29th August). Entrance will be £1 a go and winners (who get the ball through the hoop) will earn a complementary game of croquet. It is hoped that the event will raise some money for the Club and more importantly new potential recruits to play Croquet. If you’re going to the fete and fancy a go, please look out for Richard!
Squash News
Ladder Leagues are here! We now have some new ladder leagues for squash members.
For anyone that is a squash member and wants to be involved with the new ladder leagues, please get in contact with Jack Bruce and he will organise this for you.
Our very own Sue Vine is currently competing in the BETARD WSF World Masters Squash Championships 2022 which is being held in Wroclaw, Poland.
Sue has managed to win her first match against her Hungarian opponent, Julianna Weber, beating her in straight sets, 12-10, 11-6, 14-12. Well done Sue!
Good luck to Sue in the remainder of her Tournament!
If you want to follow Sue’s progress, you can watch the matches here: https://www.youtube.com/c/WorldSquashFederationWSF or follow the draws and results here: https://wsf.tournamentsoftware.com/sport/tournament/draw?id=7580B36F-85DC-4E85-B587-98B253C9CAAE&draw=93
Jesus Christ Superstar
As you’re aware, if you’ve been to the Greensward, there’s a massive big-top circus tent up for a few weeks. Jesus Christ Superstar will be performed until the 4th September. It’s difficult to underestimate how fortunate we are to have such a performance on our doorsteps. In addition to supporting the Frinton Summer Theatre for their summer season – we hope you’ll book tickets to see the show.
And as Tim has demonstrated – our clothing range is on point! Please order via the website or you can find our towels and mugs at the office and David stocks some of our more popular items to buy immediately!
Christmas parties on sale now!
A bit early? NEVER. Preparations for these special festive parties are well under way. We we have a great evening planned with drinks, dinner and disco too!
Our available dates: Friday 9th December, Saturday 10th December, Friday 16th December and Saturday 17th December 2022.
However if you think your company or a big group of you might be interested in your own exclusive event… Additional dates for 70+ guests available on request. And we can consider other smaller group requests for lunches too.
Book online HERE or book and pay at the club. For more info get in touch with our events team
Rebecca@fosltc.com or Karen@fosltc
Finals Days
We will be hosting Colchester and District Finals Day on Saturday 3rd September. Congratulations to those who have reached the finals. Plenty of our members and familiar faces will be playing so why not pop down to the Club to show your support?
The Club Championship finals and BBQ will be on Sunday 11th September – more details soon!
I think that will do for now. There’s plenty to get involved with – please do come and visit. Try out some sporting activity over the Bank Holiday weekend or just pop in for a bite to eat or a drink (or three).
Have a super week.
James Max
Club Chairman
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