The Fixtures page has been updated to show the S & D LTA Men’s Div 6 fixtures and the two Works League teams fixtures.  The Late Summer Men’s league team fixtures will be added to the table of fixtures as soon as they become avaiable.  Just two months to go to the first fixtures.

The club’s AGM  was held on Thursday, the 1st December and the minutes, Chairman’s Report amd Financial Statement  can be viewed by clicking on the links below.

AGM minutes Dec 2022

Chairman’s report to the AGM -1st Dcember 2022

Ridgeway Tennis Club Income and expenditure 2021-22

The Sports and Social Club are funding the replacement of the floodlights at the tennis club.  There will be new LED lamps with a complete re-wire together with a new control box whicvh will be sited inside the courts. Work commenced this morning and will continue in the next few days weather permitting.

The courts will still be available for play during the day but there will be a cherry picker left somewhere on the courts at some stage.

Mmebers will be notified when the works are complete.  There will be no junior football this week at least.

The Wimbledon public ticket ballot for 2023 is still open but only until the 15th November.  Go to www.wimbledon.com for more details.#

NB – ths is not the LTA members ballot for Ridgeway’s BT members.  There is no information about that at the moment.

Dear Member,

This is to notify you of the slight change to Autumn/Winter tennis arrangments at the tennis club.

1. Commencing on Thursday 3rd November the tennis nets will be taken down during the afternoon for junior football training on Thursday evening from 6:00 pm until 7:00 pm during the autumn and winter.  There will also be a football session on Friday evenings, at the same time as the Thursday session, but we are not sure of the start date for that.  Members will be informed when that those sessions are due to commence.

2. From the Thursday 3rd November the floodlights will not be available for use by members for social play during the autumn/winter period.  This is because the floodlights will be working on a timer from the Memorial Hall which is pre-set for the football times (football goes ahead whatever the weather unless there are snow or frost issues).

3. It will still be possible for members to play any time at the weekends or during the day throughout the period.   Arrangements will be made for nets to be up for weekend social sessions on either a Saturday morning or Sunday morning (weather permitting) and then be taken down on Thursday afternoon.  If for any reason the nets are not put up on a Saturday or Sunday, members can still get a net out and use the courts.

4.  Once the Friday football session start, members can still play on a Friday during the day but may have to put a net up and take it down afterwards.  The net can then be be left in the recess at the top or bottom of the courts rather than putting it/them back in the box at the top of the courts .  This will make it easier for people attending weekend social sessions to put a net up.

These arrangements will be kept under review and and members will be notified accordingly.

Note: The reason why the courts are used in this way is because some of the funding for the court area came from the Football Trust and the Sports Club has for over 25 years allowed junior football on the area. In reality, tennis usage drops off considerably durng the winter months and the use by junior football also brings in revenue from the hire charges at a time when the area would likely be stood unused. The aim is still to provide court time for members during the late autum and winter period.

Mick Mason

Chair

Members enjoyed a good evening at the Annual Presentation Night on Friday 21st October when the tournament trophies were presented to our tournament winners and runners up.  With the usual very good quiz set by Will Davis and with refreshments of pie and peas half way through it was a very enjoyable night.  Mick Mason, in his speech, referred to the 100 years since the formation of the club and some of the notable events, odd rules etc that gave a glimpse in the past and the early years of the club.  He thanked all the volunteers over the years that had enabled the club to reach this landmark and hope the club would continue for many years to come. He also thanked mel Wright for her work in organising the tournaments in what has been a difficult summer with a number of matches delayed by injuries, Covid and holidays

Unfortunately, a number of trophy winners were not able to attend for one reason or another but Mel Wright will be in touch with those people regarding picking up their trophies.

The Club’s AGM will be held on Tuesday the 29th November 2022 at 7:30 pm in the Memorial Hall at the Sports and Social Club.  An agenda and other details will be sent to members nearer the time.

The Club tournament finals day saw some exciting, close matches and there are new winners names on some of the trophies.

Men’s Singles:  John Firth won his first singles title in overcoming previous champion Glyn Rudge in three closely contested sets.  After Glyn had taken the first set 6-4, John hit back to take the second by 6-4 and then the third by 6-3.

Ladies Singles: Lucy Mitchell beat Lindy Payling in a tight two set match by 7-6, 7-6

Men’s Doubles: Danny Lister and Ben Kay beat John Firth and Harvey Marsh by 6-4, 6-4.  Ben is a first time winner.

Ladies Doubles: Lucy Mitchell and Wendy Robertson beat Sheila Goodwin and Sandra Bennett in three sets of 6-2, 5-7, 6-4

Mixed Doubles: Rob Mitchell and Wendy Robertson beat Harvey Marsh and Lindy Payling by 6-3, 7-6.

Congratulations to all the winners and to all who took part in the tournaments throughout the summer.  Thanks to tournament organiser Mel.  She can enjoy a glass or two of wine etc now but don’t go overboard Mel by dancing!   Also thanks to Wendy and Mel for sorting the catering and to Michelin starred chef Tim for his barbecue skills.

Look forward to seeing everyone at the Presentation Night on Friday 21st October 2022 – details to follow shortly.

The Men’s team ended the Late Summer League season with a win away to Graves B.   John Firth partnered Harvey Marsh and they just lost to the first couple in three sets by 2-6, 6-4, 5-7 whilst Danny Lidster and John Hallgarth beat the second couple by 6-1, 6-0.  In the second round John and Harvey beat the seconds by 6-0, 6-4 whislt danny and John beat the firsts by 6-1, 3-6, 7-5.

Final match score was Rubbers 3-1, Sets 7-3, Games 53-34.

Well done to all the players who have represented the club in these Late Summer matches.

The finals of this years club tournaments will take place on Sunday September 11^th starting at 10.30.

The club  provides  a free barbecue lunch from around 12.30.  Tea and coffee are available please bring any other drinks you may wish to consume. Players involved in finals need to be available at 10.30.

Could those who are in possession of last years trophies please return them to the clubhouse.

It would be great to have support for the finalists , do come along, children and dogs welcome.

As a mark of respect to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth  2 we will have a minutes silence prior to the start of play.

Following finals will be played  (singles first, followed by doubles)

Ladies Singles:  Lindy Payling vs Lucy Mitchell

Men’s Singles: Glyn Rudge vs John Firth

Men’s doubles:  John Firth & Harvey Marsh vs Danny Lidster & Ben Kay

Ladies Doubles: Lucy Mitchell and Wendy Robertson v  Sheila Goodwin and Sandra Bennett

Mixed Doubles: Rob Mitchell and Wendy Robertson v Harvey Marsh and Lindy Payling