Hello!

Summer has arrived. And as we head into yet another bank holiday weekend, it would appear as if we will be blessed with some really good weather over the coming days. Before I get into the newsletter, if you’ve just joined the Club following our ‘Open Day’ last weekend, I’d like to offer a huge welcome from me, the Board, our team and everyone at the Club! More of that later.

There’s also a lot going on not only this week but throughout June. In this week’s newsletter, there are all the details of everything that’s going on and I’ve also set out some answers to a few queries we’ve received too about these forthcoming events – so I hope all your questions will be answered!

The LTA National Tour Junior Under 11& 12 Grass Court Nationals returns to Frinton-on-Sea Lawn Tennis Club for a second year
Starting this Saturday, the best 11 and 12 & Under juniors in Great Britain will descend on Frinton-on-Sea Lawn Tennis Club to do battle for the converted title of junior grass court National Champion 2023. This tournament is an excellent opportunity to see the stars of the future as many will play at Wimbledon and go on to play professional tennis at the highest level. The Club will also be offering food and beverages throughout the week, so it is an excellent opportunity to visit the club and come and see some fantastic tennis being played. Spectators and visitors are welcome at any time! These juniors play some excellent tennis, it is always a pleasure to watch!

We recognise that particularly for this tournament, which is the very highest level of competition, there will be some disruption at the Club. We will do all we can to make sure Members’ interests are catered for and we’d hope that any inconvenience is outweighed through the benefits to our Club.

A few aspects that may be of interest to you.

• In the run-up to the tournament, the LTA have booked and payed for courts so those entering may practice with their coaches.
• On all days of the tournament, other than on Tuesday, Section 4 is set aside for Members. Whilst we welcome visitors, we also try to ensure that Members are able to play during the week. Court 16 will revert to being a practice croquet lawn after the tournament.
• Financially speaking, this Grade 1 tournament makes sense for us. We receive a fee for holding the tournament which goes some way in ensuring this event is cash positive for the Club.
• Please do book all courts whilst the tournament is on.
• If you encounter any issues, please speak to Kim who will try to accommodate you as best we can and she’ll liaise with the tournament director.
• Similarly, if your court is taken, when you have booked – enquire via the office so we may sort any issues arising.
• Towards the end of the week, we expect court availability to free up and return to more normalised levels.
• To hold a Grade 1 tournament is certainly prestigious for the Club and puts us on the tennis ‘map’
• Finally? There will be some incredible tennis played over the coming days. Do feel free to come along to spectate and offer your support. These juniors are the stars of the future!

Polite Notice

Please don’t take the Club’s ‘Director’ chairs onto the tennis courts. 

Open Day – The Result!
A massive thanks to all our staff, coaches and helpers leading up to and on the day itself. The great news is that over 65 new members have signed up. Welcome! If you’re still deliberating, please speak to Kim as we’d love you to join too! As with anything of this scale – there’s a huge amount of thanks to everyone who worked so hard not only on the day but in the build up too. To get our courts ready, grounds looking smart and all the events on the day takes a huge amount of work. On behalf of us all to all our staff, coaches and volunteers. A massive thank you! And it would be remiss of me not to mention the lovely flowers – thanks as usual must go to Ann Towler for making the displays so colourful!

Poolside Kitchen
Paul, Liz and our catering team have launched the summer menu and we’re getting up to speed. Demand rather overtook supply last weekend and we’re really sorry if you had to wait a little longer than usual. We’ve ordered more buzzers and we’re working hard to iron out any delivery issues as well as making sure ALL your feedback on menu, quality and everything else is taken on board. We know many of you thought the food was delicious. But we don’t get it right all the time, so please do ensure you let us know if something’s not right so we can evolve and improve the offer!

Next week we are trialling BREAKFAST at the Club. From Saturday for an initial trial week we’ll be offering breakfast between 9 – 11am. You can see the menu HERE, usual Poolside lunch service will start at 12 noon and continue through the afternoon until 6pm.

Cake
If you fancy a cuppa and a slice of cake – we’ve got that covered too. Freshly baked cakes will be on offer. At £2.75 a slice with a variety of flavours and cakes on offer depending upon what our chefs fancy baking. I’m hoping they may extend to a Victoria Sponge or even a Battenberg. But that’s just me. If you have any requests, I am sure the team would like to hear from you!

Water
You asked, we’ve delivered! There’s a brand new fresh water cooler in the foyer. And yes, we’re on the case to see if we can get some FOSLTC bottles made!

Onto the sporting news!

Tennis

Club Championships 2023
Club championships entry forms are on the notice board now! So please put your name down as soon as possible. Sign up is open for one week until next Friday 2nd June. The rules are also posted alongside the entry forms.

There’s still time to book your juniors for our LTA Youth Team Challenge. This is a fun competition designed for junior tennis players. Kids compete in small teams for points over a short series of matches. Win, lose or draw, all players receive a sticker and certificate from us! 4-12yrs. It’s all about having fun! 1-3pm, Wednesday 31st May.

Limited spaces available! Please book HERE.

LTA Youth Start is a starter course for kids (4-8yrs), comprising of 6 high quality sessions, that introduce tennis to children in a fun and relaxed environment. Us! An LTA Youth Start package is only £29.99 and includes: racket, ball-set, and branded t-shirt delivered right to your door!
Fri, 09 Jun – Fri, 14 Jul 2023 | Fridays | 4pm – 5pm
Please book HERE.

Fitness Classes
Don’t forget our AQUAROBICS classes are back! This is a fun and social activity for everyone. Most abilities can enjoy working out without overheating or jarring joints. This is a very popular class so please secure your place early. The class is every Wednesday from 11:30am.

We also have a full schedule of classes available throughout the summer. From pilates to yoga, fitness to toning too. Book HERE or speak to Katy or any of the gym instructors to find out more.

Sporting Social Sessions
We hope you’ll find these sessions are great for getting to know new members and enjoy some non-competitive match play by taking part in our club sporting sessions. It’s always good fun, usually followed by a drink or two at the bar. Please join us!

Tennis Club sessions: Tuesdays 12 noon, Wednesdays 7:30pm, Saturdays 3pm, Sunday 10am

Squash Club sessions: Mondays and Thursdays 7pm – 8pm

Racketball Club sessions: Tuesdays 6pm – 7:30pm

Croquet Club sessions: Wednesdays 3pm

Walking Football: Monday 2pm – 3.30pm, Wednesday 7pm – 8.30pm

Forthcoming Social Events

Bingo with Ribs and Wings! | Friday 9th June from 6:30 pm
An entertaining night of bingo hosted by your very own ME! Don’t miss out.
You could win some epic and fabulous ‘fun’ prizes, and yes, after popular demand we’ve added cash prizes too!!
On the night we will be serving delicious sticky BBQ ribs, sweet chilli chicken wings, rainbow slaw, potato wedges or halloumi and cherry tomato skewers! Nom a nomanomnom. Book HERE.

Frinton Jazz Club | Sunday 11th June from 1.30pm
Returning to the Club on Sunday 11th June, this event is selling out fast… It’s acclaimed performer Jo Harrop with the Chris Ingham Quartet
One of the busiest and admired singers on London’s music scene, Jo received rave reviews for her album The Heart Wants, described as “a landmark vocals-jazz moment for 2021” “A rare mix of delicacy and boldness” GUARDIAN “Jo Harrop is a very fine jazz singer… a superb and unimaginably good vocalist” IGGY POP, BBC Radio 6 Music. So there you have it. Amazing performers on your doorstep! Book HERE.

Father’s Day Roast Lunch | Sunday 18th June
Make this year’s Father’s Day extra special by treating your Dad or Grandad to a delicious two-course lunch at our club. Celebrate in style on Sunday June 18th and book today! Or simply join us if you fancy a tasty Sunday Roast lunch. Non-members welcome! Book HERE.

FOSLTC Clothing Range
Don’t forget that the summer FOS|LTC clothing ‘drop’ is available – we have some super designs that you can order via the website or see what David in the shop has on offer. Members receive a 10% discount and there’s free shipping on all orders over £50. And perhaps you haven’t bought yourself a Club beach or sporting towel yet? They’re available from the office at just £30 for the beach towel and £9 for the sporting towel. Get yours today!

Please do continue to spread the word about our Club. Your recommendation is probably the most powerful marketing tool we have! Oh and supplies of FOS LGR and all the other wonderful alcoholic beverages are back on tap – sorry we ran out last weekend. You drank us dry – and yes, please do drink responsibly (yada yada) – and with the sun shining… did someone mention it could be Pimm’s O’Clock?!

That’s it for this week. Please do pop in and visit. Come and see some tennis being played and be part of a very busy week ahead. Enjoy!

James Max
Club Chairman