Reminder Thursday night is club night and during the summer season all seniors, intermediates and invited juniors are welcome to turn up and mix in. Play starts at 7.15pm. Come and support our club night. To help with security at the club a new gate is to be erected at the entrance to the club replacing the small wrought iron gate. Access to the club will then be by key which will be available from the Texaco Garage on production of a valid membership card, or via a key holder such as a team Captain or a Committee Member. Breaking News Bidford Tennis Club Committee have negotiated shared use of the Bowls Club Pavilion facilities starting on the 1st July for a trial period. We will be able to make use of the kitchen, bar, toilets etc. so when the facility is open, just wander in. At other times access will be via a key holder such as team captains and committee members. The use is currently restricted to adults only but adds an extra dimension to the facilities Bidford TC can offer. If making use of the Bowls Club facilities please respect their property and leave it as you found it.

BIDFORD-ON-AVON TENNIS CLUB – CLUB FORUM REPORT – OCTOBER 2009 Retention and recruitment of members Membership: 69 adults (inc. 8 Honorary & 9 Intermediates 16-18yrs) up 1 since Oct. 2008; 87 juniors (57 Male & 30 Female) down 9 on Oct. 2008 (i.e., down 12 boys and up 3 girls). Total Membership of 156 (down 8) playing throughout summer and winter on 2 floodlit courts. Will again launch Publicity Campaign in the spring to retain / increase numbers. Family Barbecue Day held on 5th September 2009.  Finals day held on 27th September 2009. Facility Developments The club has recently negotiated with next door bowling club for the use of their new club house for quarterly fees.  The hope is that if this succeeds we will forge closer links socially and negate the need to raise substantial capital to build a new tennis pavilion as current structure is disintegrating rapidly.  We may also then attempt to persuade the bowling club to allow us to build on tennis club grounds but onto end of bowling club pavilion for junior member use only. Currently the tennis pavilion consists of a small room with single male & female toilet and shower and tiny changing rooms.  Actively fund raising and researching for grants and loans plus planning application.  Separate sinking fund for resurfacing of courts on course and will not be used for this project. Courts resurfaced 6 years ago, new perimeter fencing erected 3 years and Floodlights good.            Coaching programme updates to include any new initiatives which have worked for your club. The club runs a number of junior coaching courses for all ages and has recently held a very successful summer and autumn camps which was also open to non members.  Numbers have increased year-on-year.  Currently introducing a scheme for social matches for less gifted players on a home and away basis against other clubs with similar standard players. Also investigating interest from senior membership for re-introducing coaching courses for adult members for the summer of 2010.            Competition Men enter 2 teams in the weekly South Warwickshire & District Summer Caveney League and 2 teams in the Stratford and District Winter League.  Club Night is every Thursday Summer & Winter. Women play 1 team in the Evesham & District Summer League (Current 2009 Runners up) and 2 teams in the Stratford and District Winter League.  Club Nights - Thursday as per men. Ladies social tennis mornings on Tuesday and drop in tennis occasionally on other mornings. Mixed Tennis sees 2 teams entered into the Stratford & District Mixed Tennis Winter League. Annual Club Championships run for Singles & Doubles for both sexes and Mixed Doubles.  Annual Junior Club Championships and Round Robin Tournaments organised for both sexes. Juniors play in the “Caveney” South Warwickshire & District Summer Junior League (12 years & under) and also the new South Warwickshire Junior Doubles League that began last summer for different age groups.  This proved successful and the club we entered 3 teams. Junior Night is every Monday throughout the year with many competitions and tournaments organised by the Junior Secretary with coaching and social tennis by another senior member.  Thursday afternoon is junior professional coaching 4pm-7pm with club coach Dave Rudge. Friday nights are available for new members’ social tennis or coaching. Problems / Issues Unable to develop and expand number of  courts as club on land owned by Bidford Parish Council leased and overseen by the Crawford Village Hall Committee.  Also the Club is surrounded by Crawford Village Hall & Car Park to the front, Bidford Bowling Club to one side, Bidford Youth Club & Skateboard Park to the other and untouchable allotments to the rear. Due to above makes application for planning permission complicated and fund raising via grants/loans more difficult because land not owned by club. Damage/nuisance problems with village youngsters who enter courts.  Recently installed high security gate to grounds which should alleviate this problem. Other Areas New Club Web Site announced in 2009 can be visited at www.bidfordtennisclub.net Handbook produced for members in 2008 and 2009 includes all club information and fixtures. Excellent PR support from five local newspaper sports editors: Mark Stanford (Evesham/Stratford Journal), Dean Bartram (Stratford Herald), Liam Moakes (Stratford Observer), Paul Jenkins (Alcester Chronicle) and Rob George (Bromsgrove Observer).

BIDFORD-ON-AVON TENNIS CLUB – CLUB FORUM REPORT – APRIL 2009 Retention and recruitment of members Membership: 72 adults (inc. 8 Honorary & 3 Intermediates) up 19 on 2007/08; 101 juniors (73 Male & 28 Female) up 59 on 2007/08 (i.e., up 31 boys and up 2 girls). Total Membership of 173 (up 78) playing throughout summer and winter on 2 floodlit courts. Will again launch Publicity Campaign and advertising to retain / increase numbers. Open Day proposed for 13 June 2009; Family Barbecue Day to be held 5 September 2009. Facility Developments The club is currently in negotiation to merge with the bowling club in the use of their new club house.  If negotiations fail plan to completely rebuild their small 50 year old wooden pavilion.  Currently small room with single male & female toilet and shower and tiny changing rooms.  Actively fund raising and researching for grants and loans plus planning application.  Separate sinking fund for resurfacing of courts on course and will not be used for new project. Courts resurfaced 5 years ago, new perimeter fencing erected 2 years and Floodlights good.            Coaching programme updates to include any new initiatives which have worked for your club. The club runs a number of junior coaching courses for all ages and has recently held a very successful summer and winter camp which was also open to non members.  Numbers have increased year-on-year.  Currently investigating interest from senior membership for re-introducing coaching courses for Adult members for the summer of 2009.            Competition Men enter 2 teams in the weekly South Warwickshire & District Summer League and 2 teams in the Stratford and District Winter League.  Club Night is every Thursday Summer & Winter. Women play 1 team in the Evesham & District Summer League (Current 2008 Champions) and 2 teams in the Stratford and District Winter League.  Club Nights - Thursday as per men. Ladies social tennis mornings on Tuesday and drop in tennis occasionally on other mornings. Mixed Tennis sees 2 teams entered into the Stratford & District Mixed Tennis Winter League. Annual Club Championships run for Singles & Doubles for both sexes and Mixed Doubles.  Annual Junior Club Championships and Round Robin Tournaments organised for both sexes. Juniors play in the “Caveney” S/Warks. & District Summer Junior League (12 years & under) and are also planning to enter the new S/Warks. Junior Doubles League starting this summer. Junior Night is every Monday throughout the year with many competitions and tournaments organised by the Junior Secretary with coaching and social tennis by another senior member.  Thursday afternoon is junior professional coaching 4pm-7pm with club coach Dave Rudge. Friday nights are available for new members’ social tennis or coaching. Problems / Issues Unable to develop and expand number of  courts as club on land owned by Bidford Parish Council leased and overseen by the Crawford Village Hall Committee.  Also the Club is surrounded by Crawford Village Hall & Car Park to the front, Bidford Bowling Club to one side, Bidford Youth Club & Skateboard Park to the other and untouchable allotments to the rear. Due to above makes application for planning permission complicated and fund raising via grants/loans more difficult because land not owned by club. Damage/nuisance problems with village youngsters.  It is hoped this may be alleviated by use of the of the more recent installation of CCTV at the next door youth club? Other Areas New Club Web Site announced for 2009 can be visited at www.bidfordtennisclub.net Handbook produced for members in 2008 and 2009 includes all club information and fixtures. Excellent PR support from five local newspaper sports editors: Mark Stanford (Evesham/Stratford Journal), Dean Bartram (Stratford Herald), Liam Moakes (Stratford Observer), Paul Jenkins (Alcester Chronicle) and Rob George (Bromsgrove Observer).

BIDFORD-ON-AVON TENNIS CLUB – CLUB FORUM REPORT – OCTOBER 2008 Retention and recruitment of members Membership:68 adults (inc. 8 Honorary & 3 Intermediates); 96 juniors (69 Male & 27 Female). Total Membership of 164 playing throughout summer and winter on 2 floodlit courts. Launched renewed Publicity Campaign and advertising to retain / increase numbers. Open Day Held on – 14 June 2008; Family Barbecue Day Held 6 September 2008 Facility Developments The club is planning to completely rebuild their small 50 year old wooden pavilion.  Currently small room with single male & female toilet and shower and tiny changing rooms. Actively fund raising and researching for grants and loans plus planning application.           Separate sinking fund for resurfacing of courts on course and will not be used for new project. Courts resurfaced 4 years ago, new perimeter fencing erected last year and Floodlights good.            Coaching programme updates to include any new initiatives which have worked for your club. The club runs a number of Junior coaching courses for all ages and has recently held a very successful summer camp which was also open to non members. Numbers have increased year-on-year. Currently investigating interest from Senior membership for re-introducing coaching courses for Adult members for the summer of 2009.            Competition Men enter 3 teams in the weekly South Warwickshire & District Summer League and 2 teams in the Stratford and District Winter League.  Club Night is every Thursday Summer & Winter. Women play 1 team in the Evesham & District Summer League (Current 2008 Champions) and 2 teams in the Stratford and District Winter League.  Club Nights - Thursday as per men. Ladies social tennis mornings on Tuesday and drop in tennis Wednesday and Thursdays AM. Juniors play in the South Warwickshire & District Summer Junior League (12 years & Under) Junior Night is every Monday throughout the year with many competitions and tournaments organised by the Junior Secretary with coaching and social tennis by another senior member. Mixed Tennis sees 2 teams entered into the Stratford & District Mixed Tennis Winter League. Annual Club Championships run for Singles & Doubles for both sexes and Mixed Doubles.  Annual Junior Club Championships and Round Robin Tournaments organised for both sexes. Problems / Issues Unable to develop and expand number of  courts as club on land owned by Bidford Parish Council leased and overseen by the Crawford Village Hall Committee.  Also the Club is surrounded by Crawford Village Hall & Car Park to the front, Bidford Bowling Club to one side, Bidford Youth Club & Skateboard Park to the other and untouchable allotments to the rear. Due to above makes application for planning permission complicated and fund raising via grants/loans more difficult because land not owned by club. Damage/nuisance problems from next door youth club may be alleviated by use of the of the  CCTV  which has now been installed outside the youth club? Members have many questions about the British Tennis Membership scheme and limited advantages to club and its members who just play social and local league tennis?  Although currently recruiting for BTM members from within club for sake of 2009 Wimbledon allocation, there is much discontent about the lack of information and consultation with clubs before introducing the scheme with many members threatening to pull out if charges introduced. Other Areas Handbook produced for all members in 2008 to include all club information and fixtures. Excellent PR support from five local newspaper sports editors: Mervyn Collins (Evesham/Stratford Journal), Dean Bartram (Stratford Herald), Liam Moakes (Stratford Observer), David Lawrence (Alcester Chronicle) and Will Wood (Bromsgrove Observer).