The new millennium started with the inside of the clubhouse being redecorated and our logo painted above the bar. In the autumn newsletter, Sheila Burton, our new Chairman, reported that :
- the Club had one of the most successful years for some time with membership, court lettings to local schools, bar income and visitors fees - all up.
- "the Club is debt free, having paid off all its loans". This meant we were finally in a position to plan and budget without pressure from third parties.
The old patio had been on three different levels and was dangerous, certainly not accessible to buggies or wheelchairs. In July 2001 plans were drawn up to create a new patio with ramps to enable disabled access at an estimated cost of around £25,000 (actual cost over £30,000).
It was announced at the 2001 AGM that John Harris, Chairman when I came onto the committee, had agreed to become the Club President. Everyone looked up to John and, personally, he gave me so much support during my time as Chairman. As Sheila said in her report, "as the club moves forward we can have no better advocate for us than John".
It was announced at the 2001 AGM that John Harris, Chairman when I came onto the committee, had agreed to become the Club President. Everyone looked up to John and, personally, he gave me so much support during my time as Chairman. As Sheila said in her report, "as the club moves forward we can have no better advocate for us than John".
At the 2002 AGM Sheila was proud to report that "the refurbished patio was the final project in phase one of a rolling programme of improvements that were initiated by your new Board in 1998. During the period both sets of carpet courts (8 to 13) have been renewed with astroturf, macadam courts (3 and 4) have been relaid and courts 1 & 2 resprayed. The clubhouse has been redecorated internally and the bar refurbished".
All of this was done using club funds and no external borrowing - something which could not have possibly have been envisaged four years previously. It was primarily possible due to increased membership and monies received from the telecom mast.
The next phase of the master plan was discussed at the 2002 AGM. "It seems to be generally accepted that in the days of all year round tennis, the grass courts have reached their sell by date". The Committee felt that we needed to dig up the final three grass courts and replace them with artificial grass. There was not a lot of opposition apart from some of those older members who just liked playing on grass. The fact they were only usable for three months of the year and were expensive to maintain made it a no brainer. They would have to go as soon as we could afford about £90,000 to replace them with astro turf.
All of this was done using club funds and no external borrowing - something which could not have possibly have been envisaged four years previously. It was primarily possible due to increased membership and monies received from the telecom mast.
The next phase of the master plan was discussed at the 2002 AGM. "It seems to be generally accepted that in the days of all year round tennis, the grass courts have reached their sell by date". The Committee felt that we needed to dig up the final three grass courts and replace them with artificial grass. There was not a lot of opposition apart from some of those older members who just liked playing on grass. The fact they were only usable for three months of the year and were expensive to maintain made it a no brainer. They would have to go as soon as we could afford about £90,000 to replace them with astro turf.
As it was, the final three grass courts began to be dug up in October 2003, soon to be replaced with fully floodlit acrylic. The passing of the grass was the end of an era. The importance of the event was recognised by the holding of a Wooden Racket Tournament where everyone had to play using a wooden racket. Us oldies went up into our lofts and supplied the youngsters with our prehistoric Dunlop Maxplys. Some dressed up in long white trousers and boaters. It was a memorable afternoon. Ironically, the winners were two youngsters who had never even held a wooden racket in their life before that day !
At the 2003 AGM Sheila stood down as Chairman and as a Director. She said that "five years ago I agreed to become chairman of the club for a five year period on the understanding that I wanted to drive through a large refurbishment programme. Any corporate business would be proud of the growth and successful financial position that we can now demonstrate". Shortly after the AGM, the Committee gave Sheila Honorary Membership and I can think of very few others who deserved it more.
At the 2003 AGM Sheila stood down as Chairman and as a Director. She said that "five years ago I agreed to become chairman of the club for a five year period on the understanding that I wanted to drive through a large refurbishment programme. Any corporate business would be proud of the growth and successful financial position that we can now demonstrate". Shortly after the AGM, the Committee gave Sheila Honorary Membership and I can think of very few others who deserved it more.
This was the point at which the Club had reached when I wrote the Clubs potted history of "The First 100 Years" in the build up to our centenary celebrations. I summed up where we were at that time by saying :
"We should be proud of our past and the trials and tribulations which have got us to where we are today. We have a Club that will have nine excellent fully floodlit carpet courts and a new patio admired by both members and visitors. We have an increasing membership and money in the bank. Most of all we have a friendly club where everyone seems to enjoy their tennis. Not a bad way to end the first 100 years !"
"We should be proud of our past and the trials and tribulations which have got us to where we are today. We have a Club that will have nine excellent fully floodlit carpet courts and a new patio admired by both members and visitors. We have an increasing membership and money in the bank. Most of all we have a friendly club where everyone seems to enjoy their tennis. Not a bad way to end the first 100 years !"