Chairman’s Message
Dear fellow Members,
I recently picked up in Reception a copy of the Club’s Social Scene flyer for the autumn season. There are some very attractive items which our events team have planned. I think it symbolises well an increasing return to normality after eighteen long months. As many of us return to the Club after the summer holidays, I’d like to welcome you all to all that we have to offer. I hope that we will all be able to take full advantage and that the Government’s plans for seeing the country through the winter, despite covid and flu, will be realised without disruption.
Many of you have commented to me how lovely the Club is looking, what excellent condition the golf course, grass courts and lawns are in and on the improvements which are being made to our catering at the Club. Thank you for all such comments as well as your constructive suggestions. Full credit is due to the staff who I know welcome all such feedback.
Talking of feedback, the Member survey which ran earlier this summer is now being analysed and the Board will receive a first report at its meeting next week. Over a quarter of Members responded, which is excellent. On behalf of the Board and management, I thank those of you who did so and in due course, we will publish a summary of the results.
At our meeting next week, we will have our annual review of the 2019-26 strategic plan, which will underpin our business plan and budget for next year. Times continue to be uncertain. We will continue to be prudent in our stewardship of our Club’s affairs.
Meanwhile, the talents of our Members continue to enthral us. Emma Raducanu was not the only British tennis player to be successful in New York. Indeed, while she won one grand slam, our own Joe Salisbury won two, the men’s doubles and the mixed doubles. Well done, Joe! There will be a chance to congratulate Joe in person in the Roehampton Room on 21 September at 7pm – click here for more information
In a different setting and posture, the multi-activity talents of our deputy chairman, Chris Bray, were on display at the World Backgammon Championships at Trier in Germany. Chris was playing as part of the UK team which won the silver medal! Many congratulations, Chris! Please click here to read his report on the event
Closer to home, I would like to draw your attention to the forthcoming annual Art Group Exhibition and Sale, which will run from 10 to 21 November. I always enjoy this, especially having no aptitude in this pastime whatsoever, and I know many of us will be looking forward to this, which will be one more step on the road to ‘normal’.
Another such step was the lunch for our Honorary Members which Marc Newey and I host each year. It is traditionally held in May, but for well-known reasons, this was the first since May 2019. It was a real pleasure to welcome so many hale and hearty veterans of the Club. A particular delight was to greet as a new Honorary Member Sonya Hilton on achieving her century. We remembered those who had sadly passed away since our last lunch, in particular, Club President, Russell Evans. All of us enjoyed the excellent lunch prepared for us by Executive Chef Arnaud and his team.
I conclude by wishing you all good health and much enjoyment of our Club this autumn
Best wishes,
Alan