Sydenham Tennis Club

Australian Open Tennis Finals
We’ll be showing the Men’s and Women’s Singles Finals live in the bar on Saturday and Sunday morning. Finals are scheduled to start at 8.30am. The bar will be open from 8.00am with coffee and pastries deals for breakfast.

Electrical Works – UPDATE 
Apologies that the electrical works are still not completed. The new switching mechanisms for the squash court heating, lighting and ventilation, and the tennis court floodlighting have been delayed in delivery.
Adjustments will be made to the parameters of the smart controls once the switches are installed, for example the temperature levels in the squash courts, and light levels for the tennis courts, so please bear with us for a little longer.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
We have recently issued a new version of the above policy, which you can find on the Club website here. There is also a hard copy in the Clubhouse foyer.
Remember that the Club’s other policies can be found on the website too here, and there is lots of other useful information in the restricted Members area of the website – password is always the same as the door codes for the buildings on site.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 20 – 26 January: Monday from 0900-1500, Friday 0900-1800, Saturday 0900-1330, and Sunday 0900-1330. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Electrical Works – UPDATE 
Squash courts:
Court lighting will continue to activate as you enter the court, if they are not on already, as will the corridor lighting, and will go off automatically after a period of inactivity. The court heating system is also now linked to the sensor and will maintain temperature between 7.00am – 10.00pm when players are on court.
Tennis courts:
Floodlights will come on around 4.00pm from Monday to Friday this week when light levels start to fall, and will go off on timer after the last bookings. The new switches should be available next week and I’ll update on use after installation.

Tennis Serving Clinic – Friday 31 January 2025
Toby will be leading an intensive coaching session to develop and practice your serving skills from 7.00-8.00pm. Contact toby.yates@sltcc.co.uk for more information.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours this coming weekend when I return from leave: Saturday from 0900-1500 and Sunday 0900-1500. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Squash court building – electrical works
Apologies that there have been a few teething problems with court lighting after the recent electrical upgrading works. We are just awaiting the installation of the new switches for the squash court corridor.
In the meantime, the squash court lights are now set to activate as you enter the court, if they are not on already, and will go off after several minutes of inactivity in the court.
The floodlighting for the tennis courts will come on automatically around 4pm when light levels start to fall, and will go off on timer after the last bookings.

Out Of Pocket – Friday 7 February 2025
SE20’s finest soul, pop, and indie covers band comprising Club members Dave and Jerome on guitar and bass, and virtuoso Sarah on vocals. Join us for a specially curated evening of winter warmers and party bangers from musical greats, including Al Green, Aretha Franklin, Paul Weller and many more.
Tickets go on sale next week along with full details and timings for the event.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours this weekend: Friday from 1200-2100, Saturday 0900-1500, Sunday 0900-1500, and Monday 0900-1500, and then I’m on leave until 18 January. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Happy New Year! 

Membership information
All members will receive an updated version of the Members Handbook later today. There are several important updates so please take a little time to read. Most importantly, the door codes to the clubhouse and squash court building have been changed.

Christmas/New Year Quiz – Friday 10 January 2025
A reminder to sign up for our popular quiz night. Join regular host Jeff Richards for an evening of fun with family and friends – the bar will be open from 6.30pm with the quiz starting at 7.30pm.
Numbers are limited to 8 teams, so please book as soon as possible with Jeff on 07769565095 or at jeff.richards@rcn.org.uk with your name and, if you are entering a team (max 6). Don’t worry if you can’t make up a team or would like to come on your own – Jeff will allocate you to a team on the night. Entry: Adults £3 – Children £2

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 4-10 January: Saturday from 0900-1500, Sunday 0900-1030, Monday 0900-1330, Tuesday 0900-1200, and Friday 1200-1800. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Membership fees 2025
The new Club membership fees have been updated and will take effect from 1 January 2025. The majority of fees have modest increases – £10 on each full adult tennis and squash memberships for the year.
Several ‘family’ memberships have been held at 2024 prices, and there are smaller increases on ‘joint’ memberships – you will find the full details here. 

Squash court building – closure details
A reminder that we are having major electrical works undertaken in the squash court building from 1-7 January, and various facilities will be unavailable between 1-3 January as detailed below.
Changing rooms – only available for toilet facilities until 4.00pm between 1-3 January – no changing or showering available until 4.00pm on Friday 3 January; 
Squash courts – will not be available to play at all on 1/2 January, and will reopen at 4.00pm on 3 January;
Tennis courts – courts 3-7 will not be available after 4.00pm on 1/2 January as there will be no floodlights – courts 1/2 will be available throughout, but there will be no toilet facilities after 4.00pm as detailed above. 

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 28 December – 3 January: Sunday from 0900-1500, Monday 1030-1500, New Years Day 0900-1500, and Friday 0900-1500. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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With Christmas fast approaching, here are a few things for the New Year.

American Doubles Tournament – Wednesday 1 January 2025
We could do with more entries for the annual New Year’s Day tournament, which will start at 1.00pm. It’s a fun way to start the new year. You play a game of mixed doubles for 15 minutes before everything changes – the court you play on, the opposing team, and even your doubles partner! All playing categories are welcome to take part, and the bar will be open for family and supporters, as well as afterwards for the competitors. Find out more here. Contact me for the link to book your place.

Christmas/New Year Quiz – Friday 10 January 2025
Dust off your thinking caps for the new year edition of our popular quiz night. Join regular host Jeff Richards for an evening of fun with family and friends – the bar will be open from 6.30pm with the quiz starting at 7.30pm. Book early to secure your place as numbers are limited to 8 teams.
You can enter as a team or an individual. To book please contact Jeff on 07769565095 or at jeff.richards@rcn.org.uk with your name and, if you are entering a team, your team’s name and the number of people in the team (max 6). Don’t worry if you can’t make up a team or would like to come on your own – Jeff will allocate you to a team on the night. Entry: Adults £3 – Children £2

Community Tennis Programme
All of our adult drop-in coaching sessions for January are now online for booking. You will find full details and booking here. Fun Friday after school club for 3-14 years starts again on 10 January – info here. Finally, why not try out pickleball at our weekly session on Monday afternoon – it’s free for members – info here.

Merry Christmas!

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Craft Beer Festival – Friday 20 December 2024
A reminder that the bar/clubhouse closes this weekend for the Christmas break, and we’ll be holding a craft beer festival tonight in conjunction with our supplier BR3WERY from Beckenham. There will be three beers available on draft – Nectaron Pale Ale, a Mulled Wine Xmas IPA, and an Oatmeal stout – with a special beer flight offer of half a pint of each plus a bar snack and mince pie for just £10. Bar open from 6.30-9.30pm.

Racketball Tournament
The annual Racketball tournament finals took place on 7 December with Ian Moody defending his title in a closely fought match against newcomer Josh Wells. Favourite Ian took the first game and looked comfortable before Josh’s exuberant chasing brought him a 2-1 lead. Eventually, Ian’s experience and tactical nous won through to take the match 3-2. In the Plate event, Tony Moyes defeated Peter Lewis.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 21-27 December: Saturday from 0900-1500, Sunday 0900-1330, Christmas Eve 0900-1330, and Friday 0900-1200. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Beer Festival – Friday 20 & Saturday 21 December 2024
As a final event before Christmas, we’ll be holding a craft beer festival in conjunction with our supplier BR3WERY from Beckenham. There will be three beers available on draft – with a special beer flight offer of half a pint of each with a snack and mince pie for £10 – as well as mulled wine on sale.
The bar will be open from 6.30-9.30pm and Saturday from 1.00-4.00pm as long as stock lasts.

Christmas & New Year Information
Some Club activities and facilities will not be available during the festive period as detailed below.
The clubhouse bar will close on Saturday 21 December and reopen on Monday 6 January 2025, although the clubhouse will be open when I am on site.
Tennis club play sessions will end on Sunday 22 December and start again on Sunday 5 January 2025. Squash club night will end on Wednesday 18 December and start again on Wednesday 8 January 2025. 
Coaching groups and sessions will finish on Saturday 21 December – the new term will begin on Saturday 4 January 2025. Drop-in classes will go online for booking next week.
We are having electrical works undertaken in the squash court building from 1-7 January, and it is likely that some facilities will be unavailable at the commencement of the works between 1-3 January. Full details will be confirmed nearer the time. 

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 14-20 December: Saturday from 0900-1500, Sunday 0900-1330, Monday 0900-1200, Wednesday 0900-1200, and Friday 1200-2100. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Remember that the bar is open Monday to Thursday from 7.00-10.00pm, Friday evening if there is an event taking place, and Saturday/Sunday when the Club Manager is on site.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Club Members Christmas Party – Friday 6 December 2024
Please note that we will no longer have the pizza pop up on site this evening. Unfortunately, our original supplier cannot make it and I’ve been unable to find an alternative. However, there will still be some nibbles and mince pies available.

Coaching team update
Holly Richards has now left the Club. All of her groups are covered up to Christmas, so these will go ahead as usual. We will have another update regarding the new team for January onwards, as we are confirming new coaches at the moment.

Club Grounds/Maintenance
Paul Oakes, who has been maintaining the Club grounds for around ten years, is leaving at Christmas to move to the Cotswolds – we wish him well. Therefore, we are looking for someone to take on a grounds/maintenance role with approximately 10-15 hours per week available. 
The role would include maintaining the Club surrounds, including vacuuming the hard tennis courts, clearing clay courts of debris, keeping all tennis courts clean and tidy, removing litter, maintaining paths, grass cutting, trimming and maintaining trees, hedges, vegetation and flowers, plus minor building, electrical and plumbing repairs, replacing lights, decorating and other duties of a similar nature.
If you are interested, or know of anyone, please contact me for more information.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 7-13 December: Saturday from 0900-1500, Sunday 0900-1500, Monday 0900-1500, Thursday 1500-2100, and Friday 0900-1500. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Remember that the bar is open Monday to Thursday from 7.00-10.00pm, Friday evening if there is an event taking place, and Saturday/Sunday when the Club Manager is on site.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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Club Members Christmas Party – Friday 6 December 2024
Reminder that it’s the Club members Christmas get together tomorrow from 6.30-10.30pm… we’ll be putting on some nibbles and mince pies, and mulled wine will be available to buy. Table Tennis will be set up in the hall, and pickleball outside depending on the weather.
No need to book but if you can let us know if you plan to attend so we can make provision for food and drinks. All members and partners are welcome.

Racketball Tournament Finals – Saturday 7 December 2024
The annual tournament draws to a conclusion on Saturday. If you’ve never seen racketball played before, please come along and watch. 
The order of play will be as follows: 1130: Plate – Tony Moyes v Peter Lewis; 1215: Main – Ian Moody v Joshua Wells.

Club Manager Hours
I will be available at the Club the following hours between 6-12 December: Friday from 1200-2100, Saturday from 0900-1500, Sunday 0900-1500, Monday 0900-1500, and Thursday 1500-2100. During these times you can obtain drinks & snacks from the bar, as well as balls & accessories, and hire the Slinger ball machine.

Remember that the bar is open Monday to Thursday from 7.00-10.00pm, Friday evening if there is an event taking place, and Saturday/Sunday when the Club Manager is on site.

Dez Lewington
Club Manager
Contact – dez.lewington@sltcc.co.uk

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