Chairman’s Message

Dear Fellow Members,

Happy New Year to you all and a special welcome to all new Members who have joined the Club this month. I hope you will soon feel at home here, enjoying the wonderful facilities and excellent service provided by our staff.

Since I last wrote towards the end of last year, the weather has been poor, as was described by Peter Bradburn in the last Recorder; and this has continued sporadically since. I would like on behalf of all Members to pay tribute to all staff, especially the green keeping staff, who have done a great job in surmounting the weather to allow us to continue to enjoy our sports as much as we have.

The Board had its first meeting of 2020 this week. It was largely routine in nature with no major issues requiring decision. The trading and financial position at the end of November was reported and this is very satisfactory forecasting a good 2019 year end result. Interest in the Club from prospective members, including those interested in rejoining, remains at a healthy level with a two- to three-year waiting list.

We also had a very informative presentation from Scott Stanley, Chair of the Golf Committee, on how his Committee sees golf developing in 2020 and beyond. Other Committee Chairs will be invited to present to the Board throughout the year.

Work has continued on the planning application for two Padel tennis courts which we hope to install this summer. We have liaised with our neighbours at Fairacres and hope to hear from Wandsworth Council Planning Dept next month. If this is favourable, we expect the courts to open for play in June.

It has been good to hear the compliments being paid almost universally by Members about the food and beverage offered by the Club since this moved back in house at the end of November. Again, I’d like to thank all the staff concerned in this for their commitment in restoring standards and confidence in what we have to offer. I know that they will not take anything for granted and your constructive comments and suggestions are always welcome.

There are a number of social events in the near future to be enjoyed. Details of the new programme are available here or at Reception The first of these is Scottish Reels to celebrate Burn’s Night this Saturday. Some tickets are still available. I wish all those a very enjoyable evening as it was excellent food and dancing last year.

Best wishes,

Alan