RTWCC Spring Bulletin

First of all, thank you for your confidence in electing me as your Chairman. As you will know the post has been vacant for a year and I have agreed to take it on for the next two years, so I do hope someone else will step up in 2027. This does now leave a vacancy on the committee, so if any of you would like to contribute to the important work of running the club, please let me know.

The fine weather we have had at the moment is a welcome change from the relentless rain, but it is frustrating that the lawns are now closed for maintenance. If all goes well they should be open next weekend – keep an eye of the WhatsApp Chat for the latest update.

This is the first opportunity that we have had to undertake this much needed work in order to keep the lawns in first class condition and ensure that they will be ready for the start of the season which will take place on our opening day on 30th March. We look forward to seeing as many of you as possible that day, including those wishing to take part in the final one-ball event.

We held a committee meeting last Monday and amongst other things were the following:

Competitions and Tournaments etc.

The club competitions are filling up, and it is good to see so many applying. Please make sure that you send your form in by the closing date of 20th March. There are a couple of competitions however that need more applicants. The AC high bisquers (Howell cup) has only 2 contestants at present, and although 12 have signed up for the Fraser Tankard (Tuesday evening teams event) we need double that number for it it to be viable. So for those that haven’t applied, please consider taking part, and for those that have, if you want to add yourself to more, there is no problem in submitting again.

Likewise with external leagues and competitions. The Montevideo cup (GC) is now full, so we hope to organise another internal GC tournament during the season.

Lawn Closures

Ray, our groundsman, may from time to time put out lawn closure notices if chemical treatment has been applied, so please abide by these. Otherwise, it is up to members to decide if they are unplayable – e.g. rain, frost etc.

GC Handicapper

Jon Diamond mentioned at the AGM that he wished to stand down as GC Handicapper and Trevor Houghton-Berry and Dave Grimshaw have offered to take this on. Many thanks to Jon for his long service in this role.

Mower

Our mower is now reaching the end of its life and Jeff Chapman is doing some extensive research to purchase a replacement. This will be a significant purchase, but one for which we have provision within the club’s finances.

Housekeeping

We have to keep the clubhouse clean and tidy ourselves. Please leave it as you would wish to find it, including putting your dirty things in the dishwasher, putting it on if it is full and emptying it if it is clean. Generally, this works well, but not always.

Social

Thank you to Victoria Moll for organising the winter social calendar. The pub lunches were well attended and much appreciated.

This year marks our 60th anniversary, so any ideas as to how to celebrate this will be most welcome.

Croquet England and Croquet SE

To join CqE (Standard Membership is free) go to https://www.croquet.org.uk/?p=ca/JoinUs

To subscribe to CSE Newsletters for news on competitions, coaching, etc.go to https://southeastcroquetfederation.org.uk/clubs-mailing-list/

Hope to see you all soon

Chris Barham