Update from the President

Written on 13 July 2020.

This message is from Richard Abramson to all club members

What an eventful few months we have had!  Much of what has gone on will be obvious to members, but not everything, so this newsletter is to give an overview of where the club is today.

It is very good to see first tennis and now cricket being played again.  I hope that you share my thankfulness for the considerable efforts put in by the many volunteers involved  and the coaches to make it all happen in a timely fashion and in accordance with government and sporting body guidance.  We slowly approach something like normality, but restrictions continue and will further evolve over time.   Tennis and multi sports camps and cricket training are operating, making the club once again a hive of activity, albeit at a social distance!  The schools which use the site during the week expect to resume doing so from September.  Cleaning appropriate to the Covid regime is in place in both pavilions.  As I write, it is possible that squash too will resume soon; let us hope so.

With immaculate timing, some of the first significant projects I had been involved with are refurbishments of the tennis pavilion and the main pavilion bar.  And we can’t use them!  That too is changing though; the tennis toilets have been available for some time and are a boon to many of us, and drinks were served outside the main pavilion for the first time last weekend, accompanying the resumption of cricket matches.  The bar has been made attractive and efficient, and the areas out of public sight tidy and hygienic.  We look forward to a gradual return to full use.

The squash courts have been repainted, new lighting installed and new doors.  Inadequate fencing along the Blackberry path and behind the squash courts has been replaced.  Irrigation and drainage for the cricket squares are being installed.  The next major project is the resurfacing of tennis courts 1 to 3, work on which will begin August 17^th.  The tennis committee will continue to adapt the court booking system to meet the circumstances for as long as it is maintained.

The plans for a new court on the bowling green site are on hold for the present, pending more certainty about the club’s financial situation in the light of the pandemic.  This includes work on the car park.  Meanwhile stones have been laid to ameliorate the unfortunate mud bath that emerged after the tennis toilet drain was dug, for which I can only apologise!

My best wishes for an active, happy and healthy summer.

Richard

More Facilities Available

Written on 02 June 2020.

We are pleased to advise in light of some of the lockdown restrictions being eased that with effect from Thursday 4 June the club car park and both the toilets in the Tennis Pavilion and Club House will re-open.

There will be regular cleaning of the toilet facilities and soap and paper towels will be available.  The indoor facilities are available ONLY for the use of the toilets, and members must respect social distancing at all times.

Barnet Council are reinstating parking restrictions from Monday 8 June, so from then onwards the normal restrictions apply to parking on the roads near the club.

Club closure, Wimbledon Ballot and Tennis subscriptions

Written on 25 March 2020.

Message from Club President, Richard Abramson

Following the closure of the club, a number of questions have, quite reasonably, been raised by members.  Exercise is commended even by the government, and family groups can be together, so why not allow family groups to play tennis?  The grounds present a pleasant open space which could be valued by members, and perhaps by the local community, so why shut them off in their entirety?

I would first note that our action is reflected in the closure of all the other clubs of which we are aware.  Closing the tennis courts is a requirement of the LTA, to which the club is affiliated.  (Follow the link on the LTA website.)

Family tennis might be a very attractive idea.  However, even if opening the courts were permitted, the club would need to be sure that different family groups do not mix in the court areas, and that others do not take advantage of the courts being open.  The club has no practical way of ensuring this.

It is a pity to see the grounds gated off.  Our response is in the context of a national emergency under which the government requires each of us to limit the possibility of spreading the virus.  Anyone can exercise without having to use the club grounds.  If our (private) grounds were open, the club would have a responsibility to ensure that they were used responsibly.  Again, we have no practical way to do this.

We all look forward to the reopening of the club and a return to something approaching normal life.  Shakespeare offers solace, comparing separation to the winter season:

As call it winter, which being full of care
Makes summer's welcome thrice more wished, more rare.

Wimbledon Ballot

It is our expectation that, sadly, Wimbledon will be called off.  If it is not, then further notices will explain how we will conduct a ballot.

Tennis subscriptions

The club is reviewing how to treat tennis subscriptions, but has not yet reached a conclusion.  A note will follow soon.

My best wishes for everyone's good health.  Keep fit if you can.

Richard

Club closed

Written on 23 March 2020.

Following the announcement from the Prime Minister on Monday evening, the Club is closed for all activity with immediate effect.