At the end of the twentieth century there was an abyss between those who thought tennis should still be played with wooden rackets on manicured grass courts and the younger generation who embraced change. In 1997 the club had deteriorating courts, was in debt and loosing members.
Our new chairman, Robert Graham, set up a fresh sub-committee to draw up radical proposals which could be put to the members for discussion. Myself, Peter Ward and Sydney Ratcliffe initially floated some ideas in a July 1997 newsletter and at the subsequent AGM.
We argued that as the Club could not afford to maintain 13 courts, given its poor membership, that the solution would be to either utilise some of the courts by introducing a second sport - archery and bowls were suggested - or we should seek planning permission to put up a bubble for indoor tennis. Because of opposition from the traditionalists, nothing came from our efforts.
We argued that as the Club could not afford to maintain 13 courts, given its poor membership, that the solution would be to either utilise some of the courts by introducing a second sport - archery and bowls were suggested - or we should seek planning permission to put up a bubble for indoor tennis. Because of opposition from the traditionalists, nothing came from our efforts.
In May 1998 a new group, consisting of enthusiastic members, met to brainstorm ideas as they felt the club had declined and they wanted to turn around the Club's fortunes. Members of the group became known as the WAGs - The Way Ahead Group - and we were lead by Sheila Burton, St Albans Mayor in 1993. Other members were myself, Archie McDonald, Marsha Boyes, Anne Swallow, Ann Toogood and Tony Wilkins. A meeting at the Clubhouse was arranged for September when members were invited to help us draw up an action plan to move the club forward. Over 70 attended in what was probably the watershed for SALTC.
In July 1998 the Club signed an agreement with Orange to erect a phone mast. This was a controversial decision but financially enabled much needed funds to flow into the coffers on an annual basis for the next ten years.
Unexpectedly on 22nd September Tony Pritchard who had served as Secretary for many years resigned from the Committee. I was appointed in his place and, at the AGM in November, four of the other WAGs not already on the Committee were voted on. Robert Graham stood down as Chairman which, he said, was due to the "emergence of the Way Ahead Group and its envisaged integration within the Club's Board of Directors" and he saw "the Club's potential future as bright and in good hands".
The revolution at SALTC was complete. Sheila Burton became our new Chairman and she would take us safely into the next millennium. Membership numbers reportedly stood at 184 adults and 154 juniors.
In July 1998 the Club signed an agreement with Orange to erect a phone mast. This was a controversial decision but financially enabled much needed funds to flow into the coffers on an annual basis for the next ten years.
Unexpectedly on 22nd September Tony Pritchard who had served as Secretary for many years resigned from the Committee. I was appointed in his place and, at the AGM in November, four of the other WAGs not already on the Committee were voted on. Robert Graham stood down as Chairman which, he said, was due to the "emergence of the Way Ahead Group and its envisaged integration within the Club's Board of Directors" and he saw "the Club's potential future as bright and in good hands".
The revolution at SALTC was complete. Sheila Burton became our new Chairman and she would take us safely into the next millennium. Membership numbers reportedly stood at 184 adults and 154 juniors.
The new Committee knew that things had to change and that increasing membership numbers must be a priority. As a sign of how things were changing the Club introduced a new logo, designed by Marsha Boyes, which proved very popular.
Other immediate innovations were :
Other immediate innovations were :
- the issue of a regular newsletter providing news and information to members
- the development of a new website, largely provided by Jenny Stokes.
- the issue of a membership consultation document to find out what members wanted (36% of all households responded).
We all then waited for the impending Millennium Bug to hit causing untold damage to our computers and the country in general ....... and we waited ......... and waited !