Category: Tennis News

COURT LIGHTING has now arrived at Woodstock! The Club Nights on Tuesday 17^th and 24^th, and the Team Practice Nights on Thursday 19^th and 26^th, will be our first to be lit.  It’s at these sessions that we’ll be delivering key-fobs to members who pre-order their own.  For all the details, go to https://wbtc.org.uk/news/court-lighting-how-to-order-your-key/

NEW CLUB KIT
We’re delighted to announce that BlueBlood Sports, an Oxfordshire company, now stock Woodstock Tennis Club kit on their webshop:
     https://bluebloodonline.co.uk/woodstock-tennis-club
As a club member you can purchase direct from them.

Brioney from BlueBlood is coming to the club during the Club Afternoon on Sunday 15th September (1.30-3.30 pm), so you can try on samples, find your size and get the ball rolling.  For all the details, click on:
https://wbtc.org.uk/news/new-woodstock-club-kit-available-to-order/

TOURNAMENT FINALS
FINALS OF THE CLUB TOURNAMENT are coming up this month.  They should be great matches: come along and support!  The first are:
SUNDAY 15^th, 11 am:  Men’s Singles – James Lilburne v Billy Groves
Senior Men’s Singles – James Stoddart v Chris Manson
SATURDAY 21^st 11 am:  Mixed Doubles – Josh & Georgie Ponting v Alison Courtney & Neil Lovett                                          Men’s Doubles – James Stoddart & Neil Lovett v Chris & Arthur Manson or Josh & Phil Ponting

ENTER AND PLAY IN THE HANDICAP TOURNAMENT
SUNDAY 22^nd, 1.30 pm:  Come and join in our social tournament (complete with Pimms to follow), with an ever-changing handicap to guarantee a close game every time.  You don’t need a partner to enter.  SIMPLY EMAIL woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com SAYING “YES, I/WE WANT TO ENTER THE HANDICAP TOURNAMENT.”

COURT LIGHTING
THE MAIN NEWS THIS MONTH is of course the arrival of court lighting at Woodstock!  The system is now fully installed and ready to go.  As the days get shorter we may need to turn on at some point in the next week or two, but we certainly will in the second half of the month, so the Club Nights on Tuesday 17^th and 24^th, and the Team Practice Nights on Thursday 19^th and 26^th, will definitely be lit.It’s at these sessions that we’ll be delivering key-fobs to members who pre-order their own.  For all the details, go to https://wbtc.org.uk/news/court-lighting-how-to-order-your-key/

NEW TERM’S COACHING:  The new term of group coaching at the Club, for both adults and juniors, is about to begin.  It starts in the week beginning September 9th.  For all details go to our website pages https://wbtc.org.uk/junior-coaching/ (for juniors) and https://wbtc.org.uk/adult-coaching/ (for adults).

TEAM TENNIS
CONGRATULATIONS to our Men’s A team, who have won their division of the Summer League.  Our Ladies A have an excellent chance of promotion from theirs, too, and our Men’s Midweek team may well have won the Midweek competition again.  The Winter League season starts at the end of this month, and we run teams across a wide ability range.  So if you’re interested in playing team tennis we’re always delighted to welcome new players to the squads.  If you’re not sure who to talk to, just send a quick note in an email to woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com.

COURT LIGHTING – DETAILS
Our court lighting is now fully installed and ready to go!  It’ll be in use for the first time in September.  We have planning permission to play under lights from September till the end of March, with an automatic cut-off every night at 9.30 pm.
The club’s current timetable can now run all the year round, so that our coaching programme, for example, and our popular Club Nights on Tuesdays and Thursdays, will continue right through the winter.

TO USE THE LIGHTS: We’ve installed a touch-pad on each side of the courtside feeder pillar, one controlling the lights on the single court and the other controlling the lights on the three-court block.  Both pads switch on and off using one and the same key-fob.

If you’d like your own fob so that you can play in the evenings whenever you wish, you can order one and pay for it by bank transfer.  The cost will be £15.  This is for the whole winter from September through to 31 March, and enables you to play as often as you like.

TO ORDER YOUR FOB, SIMPLY EMAIL woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com WITH THE MESSAGE “FOB, PLEASE!” and pay £15 by BACS TO:
Account Name: Woodstock Bowls and Tennis Club
Sort Code: 20-98-48
Account: 10952672
Payment Reference: Key-fob /Your Name

YOUR FOB WILL THEN BE READY FOR YOU TO COLLECT at the Tuesday Club Nights and Thursday Team Practice Nights (5.30 ONWARDS) on the following dates:
Tuesday 17 September
Thursday 19 September
Tuesday 24 September
Thursday 26 September

***  N.B.:  YOUR FOB MUST BE ORDERED AND PAID FOR IN ADVANCE – THEY WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE ON THE NIGHT. ***

If you are unable to collect on any of those evenings, please let us know by email and we will make an alternative arrangement with you.

We’re delighted to announce that, following our successful application for planning permission, granted by WODC in February, our court lighting has now been installed on all four courts at Woodstock.

As you’ll see when you’re next at the Club, we have not installed conventional floodlights on pylons, for which planning permission would have been hard to secure. It’s something very different. We’ve installed a new, innovative tennis court lighting system, developed in France, called Tweener. It’s so unobtrusive that you may not immediately realise it’s there! The nature of its design was crucial in our securing planning permission.

WHAT IT IS
We sent detailed information about this to all members last summer, but in case you missed reading it at the time, or are a new member who has joined since, please click HERE for an Introduction to Tweener which explains clearly what it is. You’ll see that the system has now been installed in some of the most prestigious clubs in Europe, including major tennis academies and tournament venues.

HOW IT WILL WORK
We have permission to use court lighting from September to March each year, so the courts will be lit for the first time next month.
We will shortly post details of how the system will operate, and how you can obtain a key to use the lights.

COURT LIGHTING
Our court lighting is about to be installed, in the week beginning 22 July.  The ‘Tweener’ lighting system* that we’re installing involves minimal disruption, with no trenchwork across the courts and no excavation and erection of columns.  Installation will therefore take only 2-3 days – weather permitting, the probable days are Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd – rather than weeks and the Club will not have to close.
Courts will remain open for play, but at any given time during working hours one (or more) of the courts will have to be kept clear for the installers to do their work.  They will be as accommodating as possible, but at times they may need to work across the courts and will have to ask you to stop play.  If you’re playing in the daytime, during their working hours, please be tolerant of any interruptions.  Please play on courts as far as possible from where installation work is taking place, and if at any point you are asked to stop play and/or move to a different court, please be understanding and do so immediately.  And of course take care throughout.  Many thanks. 

* Detailed info about the Tweener lighting system was sent to all members last summer.  In case you missed reading it at the time, or are a new member who has joined since, we will send the information again shortly.

IF YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A BEGINNER…
… but want to mix with others and play some social tennis but are daunted by the Club Sessions listed further down this page (very friendly and inclusive though they are), please contact tishybruce@hotmail.com for details of a group that meets regularly to play the friendliest of friendly doubles.

CLUB SESSIONS
With our social tennis on Club Nights proving so popular, we’re running an extra session every week, on TUESDAY AFTERNOONS, 1.30-3.30.
So there will now be:
TUESDAYS 1.30-3.30 AND 5.30 ONWARDS: Social Sessions for everyone.
THURSDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS: Team Practice Nights for all members keen to play team tennis.
And our thriving SUNDAY AFTERNOON Social Sessions run of course throughout the year, every Sunday, 1.30 – 3.30.   

HOLIDAY CAMPS FOR JUNIORS
Booking is now open for our Summer Holiday Tennis Camps for juniors.  For all the details, click HERE.

HOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:
JULY
WEDNESDAY 17^th, 10 am:  Ladies Midweek v Abingdon;  Men’s Midweek v OHRC
SATURDAY 20^th, 1 pm:  Mixed B v Benson; Men’s D v Hanney
SATURDAY 27^th, 1 pm:  Ladies D v North Oxford; Men’s E v Kings Sutton

RESTRING
And if with all your matches, practice, coaching and social play your racket needs a RESTRING, Club member Bob Coomber offers a quick and expert service.  You can contact Bob on 07484 368977 or email bob.coomber@icloud.com

MAY BANK HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT
Thanks to everyone who played in our TIE-BREAK TOURNAMENT (picture above) at the start of the month.  A really enjoyable afternoon – we’ll run another in similar vein soon!

HENMANS TOURNAMENT
Our annual Henmans Junior Tournament at Woodstock – now proudly in its 26^th year and a firm fixture in the Oxfordshire tennis calendar – is coming up as usual in the half-term holiday.  It’s jointly sponsored this year by Blenheim and by Finders Keepers estate agents.
MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE that from Monday 27^th to Friday 31^st the courts will therefore be busy each day from 8.30 till about 5 o’clock, but free every evening, and CLUB NIGHTS ON TUESDAY 28^th AND THURSDAY 30^th WILL RUN AS USUAL.  There is still time for juniors to enter – the closing date is 10am this coming Friday (17 May).  There are events for boys and girls in all the following age groups: 8U, 9U, 10U, 12U, 14U and 18U.  All details are on Henmans Woodstock Tournament 2024 (all events one day) | LTA – Tennis for Britain

CLUB SESSIONS:  TUESDAY EXTRA!
With our social tennis on Club Nights proving so popular, starting this Tuesday (14^th) we’re running an extra session every week, on TUESDAY AFTERNOONS, 1.30-3.30.  So there will now be:
TUESDAYS 1.30-3.30 AND 5.30 ONWARDS: Social Sessions for everyone.
THURSDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS: Team Practice Nights for all members keen to play team tennis.
And our thriving SUNDAY AFTERNOON Social Sessions run of course throughout the year, every Sunday, 1.30 – 3.30.     Come and join in!  See you soon!

HOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:
MAY
SATURDAY 18^th, 1 pm:  Mixed A v Abingdon; Mixed B v North Oxford
SATURDAY 25^th, 10 am:  Ladies A v Portcullis
                         1 pm:  Men’s A v Thame; Men’s B v Witney
SUNDAY 26^th, 10 am:  Men’s D v Portcullis
JUNE
SATURDAY 1^st, 1 pm:  Ladies B v Benson; Ladies  C v Benson
SATURDAY 8^th, 1 pm:  Mixed C v Oxford Sports
SATURDAY 15^th, 1 pm:  Ladies D v Banbury; Men’s E v Abingdon
SUNDAY 16^th, 4 pm:  Men’s National League v Cholsey [4 courts 3.30 – approx. 5.30]

MAY BANK HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT!
Amazingly it’s already nearly May.  Time to announce the MAY BANK HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT on SUNDAY 5^th MAY (1.15 start).  It’s a social event, one part competitive to three parts fun, the same ratio as the mix of Pimms to lemonade that we’ll enjoy at the end!  It’s a doubles tournament, but partners will change every game, so you don’t need a partner to enter.  Simply email woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com saying “Yes, I/we would like to play in the tournament on Sunday 5^th!”

CLUB SESSIONS
Our Club Nights are back and in full swing.  Come and join in: TUESDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS are Social Sessions for everyone, and THURSDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS are Team Practice Nights for all members keen to play team tennis.  Our thriving SUNDAY AFTERNOON Social Sessions run of course throughout the year, every Sunday, 1.30 – 3.30.

COURTS TIMETABLE: EXCEPTION SUNDAY 28th
A quick reminder that if you’re ever in doubt about court availability, just click on https://wbtc.org.uk/courts-timetable/ where you’ll find our very simple Courts Timetable.  PLEASE NOTE A RARE EXCEPTION ON SUNDAY, 28 APRIL: our Men’s National League team have a home match v Bicester which will occupy all four courts from 3.30 (when Club Afternoon finishes) until approx 5.30 (thereafter only two).

BALL RECYCLING
We regularly recycle used tennis balls, and it earns money for the club.  If you bring your own balls to play with at the club and they’re getting tired, please don’t throw them away.  Put them in the marked container in the conservatory (please don’t mix them up with the club balls in the tray in the cupboard), and we’ll do the necessary.  Thanks.

HOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:
APRIL SATURDAY 27^th, 1 pm:  Mixed C v David Lloyd; Men’s D v Oxford City
SUNDAY 28^th, 4 pm:  Men’s National League v Bicester [4 courts 3.30 – approx. 5.30]
MAY SATURDAY 4^th, 1 pm:  Ladies D v Abingdon; Men’s E v Wantage
WEDNESDAY 8^th, 10 am: Ladies Midweek v Portcullis
SATURDAY 11^th, 1 pm:  Men’s C v Brackley; Ladies D v Portcullis
SUNDAY 12^th, 10 am:  Men’s E v Kingston Bagpuize

*** MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: EARLY SAVINGS

***RENEWAL IS NOW DUE for 2024/25.  Many thanks to everyone who’s already rejoined. Be sure to renew now!  There are *** BIG SAVINGS FOR RENEWAL BY THIS FRIDAY (MARCH 31^st)!!! ***   The prices are unchanged from last year, and all the details of prices and the simple payment process are on https://wbtc.org.uk/tennis-membership/. 

THE LIZ SNELSON COURT
Many members will fondly remember Liz Snelson, who loved theTennis Club and, well into her later years, was still keenly involved in group and individual coaching and social games and tournaments.  Liz left the Tennis Club a generous bequest in her will.  It has been crucial in enabling us to rebuild our fine new single court at the same time as imminently installing court lighting.  We couldn’t have done all of this without Liz.  We have decided therefore to name the new court after her, and a name-plate will soon appear on the gate.  We hope her many friends will agree that it’s a fitting way to remember such a long-standing and committed club member.

AND TALKING OF THE LIGHTING … POWER TO THE COURTS
This week and next, contractors will be on site connecting power supply from the mains to courtside, ready for the installation of our court lighting in a few weeks’ time.  They are also installing CCTV.  All their work will be away from the courts and WILL NOT INTERFERE AT ALL WITH PLAY, but at some point there may be slight obstructions on the path and minor trenchwork across the lawns, so please be understanding, and of course take care when entering and leaving.

TEAM TENNIS: CONGRATULATIONS!
The Winter League season finished this weekend.  Well done and thanks to everyone who’s played for the Club in matches this season, and SPECIAL CONGRATULATIONS to our Ladies A (pictured) who’ve finished top of Division 1 and won promotion to the Premier Division, to our Ladies C who’ve won promotion from a tight Division 5, and to our Men’s Midweek team who’ve won the Midweek League. 

We’re always delighted to welcome new players to our League squads, and we run teams across a wide ability range.  If you’d like to play team tennis and are not yet involved, be sure to let us know – just reply with a quick note to woodstocktennisclub@gmail.com.

CLOCKS GO FORWARD – RETURN OF CLUB NIGHTS!
With the clocks going forward this coming Sunday (31^st), our Club Nights return after the Easter weekend, starting TUESDAY 2^nd and THURSDAY 4^th April.  Come and join in: TUESDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS are Social Sessions for everyone, and THURSDAYS FROM 5.30 ONWARDS are Team Practice Nights for all members keen to play team tennis.  Our thriving SUNDAY AFTERNOON Social Sessions will of course continue, every Sunday, 1.30 – 3.30.

… AND COMPLETELY NON-COMPETITIVE TENNIS!
Tuesday and Sunday Club Sessions focus more on fun than on competition, but if you’re daunted at all by these and would like to play even less competitively, a message…  “A group of ladies who are non-competitive play on Wednesdays at 12 p.m.  If anybody else (male or female) would like to join us, they are most welcome. We would like players to be above beginner standard but not too good and have a sense of fun: we are definitely not serious about winning!  Contact: Tishy Bruce on 07929 748757.”

EASTER JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP
Our excellent coaches are running a three-day Tennis Camp for Juniors in the Easter Holidays, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8–10 April.  For all the details of times, age-groups, prices and to book your place, just click on https://wbtc.org.uk/holiday-tennis-courses/   

***  MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE that on the three mornings of the Tennis Camps, only one court will be free.  After 1.15 each day, all four courts will be available as usual. ***

NEW SEASON’S COACHING
Booking is now open for the new term of group coaching for both Adults and Juniors.  Some slots are bound to be in demand, so please book early to avoid disappointment.
For all the details and to reserve your place, click on https://wbtc.org.uk/junior-coaching/ (for Juniors) and/or https://wbtc.org.uk/adult-coaching/ (for Adults).

FAMILY FRIDAYS
We’re excited to announce the return of the very popular Family Friday tennis, each Friday from 4.15 to 5.15, starting on Friday 19th April.  These coach-led sessions are free to members and involve drills and games to get families playing tennis together.  The sessions are aimed towards primary school-aged children and their parents/carers.  For more information or to sign up, please contact Jenny Collins: email plunkett007@hotmail.com.

CLUB TOURNAMENT
Don’t forget to send in your entries for this summer’s Club Championships – closing date is this coming Friday, 31 March.  All the details of the events and how to enter are on https://wbtc.org.uk/news/club-championship-2024/

WHEN ARE COURTS FREE?
If you’re ever in doubt about court availability, just click on https://wbtc.org.uk/courts-timetable/ where you’ll find our very simple Courts Timetable.  You’ll see that all four courts are free almost all week, except for a handful of regular times (and even then you’ll see they’re not all in use) – so please keep the shape of the week in mind and come and enjoy the courts!

HOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:
APRIL
SATURDAY 13^th, 10 am:  Ladies C v Cholsey
                 1 pm:  Men’s A v Abingdon; Men’s D v Watlington
SUNDAY 14^th, 10 am:  Ladies A v Mapledurham
SATURDAY 20^th, 1 pm:  Ladies B v Witney
SATURDAY 27^th, 1 pm:  Mixed C v David Lloyd; Men’s D v Oxford City
SUNDAY 28^th, 4 pm:  Men’s National League v Bicester [4 courts needed till approx 5.30, then 2 courts]

*** MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL: EARLY SAVINGS ***

As you know, our “membership year” runs from April to March.  Many thanks to everyone who’s already renewed for the new season 2024/25 (and a very warm welcome to our new members who’ve already joined for the coming year). A reminder that there are BIG SAVINGS FOR RENEWAL BEFORE 31^st OF THIS MONTH. The prices are unchanged from last year, and all the details of prices and the simple payment process are on https://wbtc.org.uk/tennis-membership/.

EASTER JUNIOR TENNIS CAMP
We’re delighted to say that our excellent coaches are running a three-day Tennis Camp for Juniors in the Easter Holidays, on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8–10 April.  For all the details of times, age-groups, prices and to book your place, just click on https://wbtc.org.uk/holiday-tennis-courses/

NEW SEASON’S COACHING
Booking is now open for the new term of group coaching for both Adults and Juniors.  Some slots are bound to be in demand, so please book early to avoid disappointment. 

For all the details and to reserve your place, click on  https://wbtc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Woodstock-Tennis-Academy-Junior-Planner-Apr-July-2024-1.pdf (for Juniors) and/or https://wbtc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Woodstock-Tennis-Academy-Adult-Planner-Apr-July-2024-1-1.pdf (for Adults).

CLUB TOURNAMENT
Don’t forget to send in your entries for this summer’s Club Championships – closing date 31 March.  All the details of the events and how to enter are on https://wbtc.org.uk/news/club-championship-2024/

HOME MATCHES COMING UP [each match 2 courts]:
SATURDAY 9^th, 1 pm:  Ladies A v Witney; Ladies C v Abingdon
SATURDAY 16^th, 1 pm:  Ladies D v Blewbury; Men’s E v North Oxford
WEDNESDAY 20^th, 10 am:  Men’s Midweek v Mapledurham
SATURDAY 23^rd, 1 pm:  Men’s B v Oxford Sports