Hello,

I must start this week’s newsletter with some very sad news.

John Kilby, our Walking Football pioneer, sadly passed away on Monday after a long and difficult battle with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. Paul Cooper, who has known John for many years and has been instrumental alongside John in looking after our walking footballers wanted to share these words with you all;

“John was involved in playing and coaching football all of his adult life and was a driving force in women’s football long before we all became interested in our current England lionesses.

In 2014, along with another Walton man, Chris Knighton, John initiated a Walking Football Club in Walton on the Naze for the physical and social well being of people over 50. Walking football was very new back then and John’s initiative was amongst the first in Tendring and North Essex.

In the time since then, John’s Walton Swifts Walking Football Club has become hugely successful through his energy and commitment. He was rightly proud of the really positive impact he has had on the lives of more than 100 walking footballers and their wives, husbands and partners who also now enjoy an active social group. John was instrumental in working with the FOS Lawn Tennis Club to move the football club to FOSLTC for the better sports and social facilities it provides.

John’s legacy will be the creation of a Walking Football Club that provides a truly valued facility for local men and women over 50 who want to keep active and enjoy the benefit of new friends. The members of the walking football team owe him a great debt of thanks and he leave us as a much loved friend.”

Our commitment to Walking Football at the Club remains as strong as ever and we hope to maintain and build on John’s legacy.

On to this week’s other news. It won’t have escaped your attention that December has arrived. And yes, Christmas is arriving at the Club too and there are plenty of activities and opportunities for you to get involved. 

Christmas Parties | December 2023

Last call to book for Friday 8th and Saturday 9th December! These fantastic parties on the way and although some evenings are sold out – there may be availability for these earlier ones – Book by 2pm on Saturday please! There’s no better way to celebrate the season with friends, colleagues and family than dinner and dancing at our Club? To see the menu and to book click HERE.

Please don’t forget that on Sunday 17th December we have our Festive Roast Sunday Lunch. Book before it’s too late! HERE

Christmas Progressive Tennis Tournament | Saturday 9th December

How about a festive game of tennis? We’re hosting a Christmas tournament on Saturday | 9th December from 2pm. You’ll also get to enjoy some delicious mulled wine and mince pies. Don’t miss this chance to play some festive TENNIS – It’s FREE to enter for all Tennis and AAA Members. I’m sure there will be some prizes for the best festive sporting outfits. For more info and to register click HERE.

Pickleball 

We are thinking of introducing Pickleball to the Club. If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to stay fit and active, you should try pickleball. Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. You can play it indoors or outdoors, with two or four players. The rules are simple! If you are interested in playing, please put your name down on our sign-up sheets in the foyer and once we’ve gauged interest we can work out how best to introduce this increasingly popular sport to our Club. 

Christmas Trees 

Our Christmas trees are up going up today! Once again, a huge thanks to Alex Robson at King of Soho Gin for sponsoring our lovely trees. If you’ve not tried their delicious gin, please do so. It’s available at the bar. Or if you want to buy a bottle or two for friends… www.spiritofsoho.com is where to go! I would suggest that you drink responsibly yada yada, because that’s what you’d expect me to say. 

New Sportswear Line

Great news! Our new Club sportswear line has just been launched – in time for Christmas! Whether you’re looking for comfy sweatshirts, funky T-shirts, or good-quality gilets, our bespoke clothing line is for you. To mark the launch, we have a special discount offer you can apply to ALL orders! Don’t miss this opportunity to spice up your wardrobe or get your Christmas presents sorted. Our 10% discount is valid until Tuesday 5th Dec and please order by the 10th December for guaranteed delivery before Christmas. We’ll be adding more items to the range as well as looking into bespoke items for different sports too in the coming months. Click HERE to view our collection or to order. Any questions, please get in touch with Kat. 

FOS|LTC. Sweaters 

Are you feeling cold? Then you need to buy one of our club sports sweaters! They are made from pure wool, are very stylish and will be made bespoke for us by one of the country’s leading sports sweater manufacturers. They’re limited edition so won’t be available all the time as we have to block book an order. Lead in time for manufacture is a couple of months so you’ll have to be a bit patient! Don’t miss this chance to get your hands on these limited-edition sweaters. The sooner you place your order, the sooner we can get this underway! Order yours HERE!

Sportch – Ladder League Tennis – New for 2024!

We are looking to run a ladies and men’s singles winter outdoor league via a ladder app called Sportch. The entry fee will be just £10, mainly to cover the cost of the app, and the ladders will run from 1^st Jan to end of April. The cost of your outdoor lights will be included in your entry fee. You are welcome to play in the bubble on payment of the normal fee. If you are interested in playing and would like more information either register your interest on the sign-up sheets on the notice board at the Club or email billgreeno358@btinternet.com.

Cardio Tennis | Thursdays at 9:30

Cardio tennis is a great fun and amazing form of exercise and keeping fit. Our one and only Diane Lewis loves these sessions and this is what she had to say: 

”Loved the Cardio Tennis session today. I have been home an hour and my heart rate has just returned to normal. Next week already booked. A great addition to the Club.”

Please join in the fun and book your session HERE.

Family Disco | Thursday 21st December 2 – 4pm

It’s back! Kids’ buffet, drinks, crackers and maybe even a visit from the big red man himself with a small gift for the children to take home.

Aimed at primary school aged children but no set age limit. All children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. £10 for Junior Members and £12.50 for non-members. Accompanying adults are free. Tickets must be booked in advance and will be available either from the office or by booking online HERE.

Carols with Caryll | Saturday 23rd December 6pm 

Our amazing carol singing event at the Club returns. On Saturday 23rd December from 6pm. As ever we will have a wonderful singalong and then some drinks and canapés. There’s no charge but in order to cater for you – please do register your interest ASAP email georgia@fosltc.com

New Year’s Eve Party

Time flies when you’re having fun, and 2023 is almost over! Celebrate with us at our awesome Club party. Book your tickets now before they run out. It will be a blast! Tickets are £25pp for drinks and dance or £55pp for buffet, drinks and dance. And it’s not any old buffet it’s a Frinton-on-Sea Lawn Tennis Club buffet! All tickets have a buy one get one free offer from a selection of drinks at the bar. We’ll have a wide range of hot and cold items on the buffet menu and a scrumptious pud selection too. Please click HERE for more details and to book your ticket(s). 

Survey – Results!

We are currently going through the 115 responses to our recent survey. We’ll come back to you with the results and our proposed actions in due course. Meanwhile we promised that one lucky respondent would receive a bottle of Jarrow House English sparkling wine. As made by our wonderful Club member, Sally Smith and of course it’s available at the bar. Congrats to Jenny Crispin! And thank you all for your responses. We really appreciate your time, ideas and comments. 

As always please may I encourage you to book your classes and courts in advance. All the details are on the website.

That’s it for now. Have an amazing week.

James Max

Club Chairman