Check out the results by clicking HERE!!

Yes it's time for the Tennis Tournament Final this Saturday (10th July) from 12:00pm onwards.

Promise of an action packed day with quality tennis, Pimms and Strawberries & Cream. All followed by an evening presentation, BBQ and disco. What more could you ask for?

COURTS PAINTING
Our hard courts are to be painted, starting this Monday morning and will be out of action for 6 to 8 days depending on the weather. The forecast is for warm sunshine next week. We have 4 grass courts up and ready while the work is being carried out. Thanks to Peter Bates, Nathan, Jayne, Angela and David S who carried out the grass court work last Thursday.

GOOD RESULTS
Ladies 1 had a good win at Hayes in their First Division clash. Team Steph(Cpt), Angela, Kathy and Julia.

Mens Over 60 had a 4-0 win at Blackheath with Denis, John C, Clive R and Dave E.

Mens Vets 2 were at Knoll and emerged winners with Steve Roberts, Denis and the two Clives B and R.

Mens 3 played 2 games last week and lost both. You must remember that the purpose of Mens 3 is to 'blood' new players and give all our members an opportunity of playing other clubs. Players included Sai, Richard G, Dave E, Peter T, Ken P, Ben B, John A and Simon Q.

NEXT UP ON THE FIXTURE FRONT
Monday 17th: Ladies 1 are away at Crescent and Mens Vets 1 are away at Bexley - All evening games are at 6:30pm.
Wednesday 19th: Steve Le C's Mens 2 are at Hayes who have floodlights.
Thursday 20th: Vets 1 have their second game in four days - away to Crescent.
Saturday 22th: Stewarts Vets 2 are away at Meopham at 1:00pm.
Friday 23th: Jaynes Ladies 3 are at home on our grasscourts to Meopham.
Sunday 23th: Our Mixed 1 are away to Gravesham at 1:00pm.
Monday 24th: Our Over 60s are at Crescent at 10:00am and our Mens 3 are away to Bromley LTC AT 6:30pm.
Tuesday 25th: Andy Hs Mixed 2 are away at Bexley.
Thursday 27th: Simon's Kent team make their debut away to Bromley LTC.

CONGRATULATIONS
To Mike L and partner on the birth of baby Esme – And to Thomas A who played on the Kent Under 14 Chess Team against Surrey. Next Peter T who is doing a Charity Bicycle ride to Brighton in aid of the British Heart Foundation. He hopes to raise £1,000 and is already half way to this target. Do please sponsor Peter. You can log in to: http://original.justgiving.com/PeterTombleson to suscribe or give your name to me at the club.

And from Simon who ran the London Marathon in aid of PDSA thank you all the sponsors.

CLUB TOURNAMENT
Do please enter our club tournament, simply put your name on the sheets in the Club and have a go. This year Dean and Simon are the Referees and remember if you lose in the first round of the Singles, Mens, Ladies or Doubles, you go into the plate draw. So lots of tennis for all with the following events:
Mens, Ladies and Mixed Doubles and Mens and Ladies Singles
Veterans Singles and Doubles - Vets Men 45 and over – Vets Ladies 40 and over.
Boys and Girls Under 18 Singles and Doubles.
Entry Fee £2 per event.

FURTHER INFORMATION TO FOLLOW EARLY NEXT WEEK.
CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRIES: 5:00pm, 30th MAY 2010.
BBQ AND ENTERTAINMENT ON THE NIGHT.
Ring Dean or Simon for more info if required.

MORE NEWS
Steve H is running Sessions for our Club Juniors every Wednesday from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.

Lewisham Schools will use our courts on Tuesday 25th May at 2:00pm for their Festival of Tennis. Volunteers needed to
oversee, make tea etc. See Jayne or Denis.

SECURITY SECURITY
Please do not leave the main entrance door unlocked at any time and challenge anyone on the ground you may consider to be an intruder. All Tennis Members
should have a shoe tag.

Late Jim Kiddell
Jim who was Life President of North Kent Tennis died recently. He served as Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Comps Secretary, Social Organiser and overall gave 60, yes 60 years service as an official of North Kent. Jim was a stickler for rules, open and honest finance details from Clubs and the NKLTA and kept meticulous records of players, appearances and results during his term as Results Secretary. I recall burning the midnight oil more than once during meetings on rules and re writing the North Kent Constitution. All in all a lovely little man who loved the game.

OUR COACHES
Uptown Experience who are our coaches offer coaching to all ages and included in their staff are:
Jane Longstaff who played for Surrey Ladies Veterans and also represented GB. Jane is a CCA DCA Level 1 Coach.
Ben Jones who coached in USA, Australia, Dubai,and Portugal and also represented Essex.

For more info on their prices for Coaching you can ring Jane on 07713 778446 or visit their website: www.uptownexperience.co.uk

OTHER SECTIONS
We have three other Sections at our Club: that's Badminton, Football and Cricket.

Football: They finished their season in mid–table - Great Effort!

Badminton: They play in two local Leagues and their Mixed and Mens teams are expected to win their Divisions which are almost at an end. They can boast of having Kent players in their sides. Speaking of Badminton, Dave E runs Classes every Thursday Morning at 10:00am in the hall. Well worth a visit.

Cricket: Their season is just beginning and they field 3 teams, the first eleven in Kent Divison 3 and their Seconds in Kent Division 4. Not sure what their third team plays in as they use an outside pitch On Sundays. They play friendlies. In their squad they have talented Daniel Bell-Drummond who toured India with the England 18 side.

LAND OF HOPE AND GLORY
This Friday evening, we celebrate St. Georges day at our club with Fish and Chips, a British Quiz, a singalong and a Shove Halpenny Tournament. Fish and chips cost £4.00 (very reasonable) and the Quiz costs £2.00. Now do please support this event. Jayne is organising and would like advance orders please for Fish and Chips (or Veggie Option!). The evening starts at 8.00pm so wear your colours, fly the cross of St George and make it a glorious occaision.

YOUR TREASURER REQUESTS
Your Subscriptions are now due please and you can pay to me, or Val behind the Bar or Denis if we are not around. It's £180.00 for the year and at £15.00 a month it's in my view very very good value. Couples cost £285.00, Students cost £90.00 and Under 18 Juniors a mere £40.00, with the Juniors allowed access to other Sections.

Remember we will be making the Wimbledon draw very shortly and your subs will need to be paid to get in the draw.

So please renew as soon as possible.

Thank you. Dave E.

LAST WEEKS RESULTS
Mens One narrowly lost to Crescent where a draw would have been a fairer result than the 2-4. Team Adam, Nathan, Chris, Steve Roberts, Rob and Dean.

Mixed 2 lost 1-5 to a very strong Bexley who are the bookies favourites to win this Division. Team Andy, Dean, Sai, Kathy, Janice and Sue.

Ladies 3 in the first year were happy with their performance despite losing to Shooters Hill. Team Jane, Jayne and Margaret Gould.

Veterans 2 began their summer programme with a win at Hartley. Team Stewart, Denis, Peter T and Clive B.

Ladies 2 fresh from their Winter success opened their programme with a 3-1 win at Old Wilsonians and are on an unbeaten run of 6 games. Team Sue, Janice, Sharon and Claudia.

THIS WEEKS FIXTURES
Tuesday 20th April: Mens Singles away at Blackheath at 6:30pm. North Kent Cup Match.

Wednesday 21st April: Eamon's Vets 1 start their season at Hayes with John Clay, Stewart, Rob and Peter Tombleson.

Thursday 22nd April: Denis and his Over 60 Chums are at home at 10:30am to Crescent.

Saturday 24th April: Eamon's Vets 1 are at home to Gravesham 2 at 10:00am and Ladies 1 are away at Park Langley at 10:00am. Ladies 2 are away to Oakwood at 1:30pm.

Sunday 25th April: Mens One are away at Martin Dene at 1:00pm and Mens 2, Steve LeComber's side, start their Summer at Meopham at 1:00pm.

All our three courts are available all day this Sunday.

SPONSORSHIP
Simon Q runs the London Marathon this Sunday for the PDSA and Peter T will be cycling to Brighton in June for the British Heart Foundation. If you would like to sponsor please let our two heroes know.

WORKING PARTY
We will be doing some more work this Wednesday evening at 6:00pm on the grass courts and all help appreciated. Thank you Val O'Brien, Dave Sansom, Simon, Dean, Stephanie and John and Thomas Allen for your help last Wednesday.

CONGRATULATIONS
To our Ladies Second Team of Sue Rice-Vine(Capt), Janice Reid, Sharon Fisher and Claudia De Souza who won the North Kent Division 3 Winter with a narrow, but well deserved victory over Gravesham 2 - Winning on Sets after the game finished 2-2. So, our first trophy of the year and promotion to Division 2 next Winter for Sue and the gang where they will join our First Team who were relegated.

HARD LUCK
To our Mens One who went down 0-4 to a very, very strong Gravesham side in the First Division North Kent Final. Team was Chris, Adam C and the Smith Brothers.

OTHER RESULTS
Jayne Q, Sue, Jane M and Ruth lost at Beckenham in their Ladies Vets game and Mens Vets One were at Bearsted in the rain with John C, Steve H, Tony B and Clive B.

THE NEW SEASON
Summer Tennis begins this Saturday at 10:00am at home when Vets One play Bexley 2. Eamon has named his side as himself, John Clay, Mark Smith and Rob Dawbarn. Good luck fellas.

On Sunday we have the last of the Winter postponed matches at home at 1:00pm when Jayne's Ladies Vets play Wendover. So one court from 1:00pm onwards.

REMEMBER TO PUT YOUR CLOCKS FORWARD

MEMBERSHIP AND WIMBLEDON TICKETS
Thanks to the five people who have already paid this year's Subscriptions which are due as from April 1st. Now the good, the very good news. This year we are going to receive a record 12, yes 12 pairs of Wimbledon Tickets. The reason for this increase is that we have done very well in affiliating our members to British Tennis and, as a result, our Wimbledon tickets allocation is a mighty good one for a little club. The draw for the tickets has to be made by the end of April and the winners names submitted to the LTA to ensure that all the recipients are: (a) British Tennis Members and (b) fully paid up Catford Members for 2010. So to get in the draw, we need your membership as soon as you can, and of course we do hold a record of our British Tennis membership. If you are in doubt if you are a British Tennis member, please ring Jayne Q.

RACE NIGHT
Please support our Race Night at the Club on this Friday which starts at 8:00pm . For £3.00 you can have a lot of fun.

COACHING
We are asking you to please come along to meet the Club's new Coaches Jane and Gemma this Saturday where there is Children's Coaching free at 2:00pm which includes Fun Games afterwards. It's for kids aged 4 years and upwards.

From 3:00pm there is Adult Coaching and all Coaching is FREE!! So turn up if you can.

EASTER COACHING
There is a Children's Three Day Course starting on Wednesday 14th April at 9:00am and going on all day for various age groups. See Poster at Club.

ADULTS COACHING
The Monday evening Coaching for Adults 7:00pm to 8:30pm starts on 19th April and a Saturday afternoon Adults session 5:00pm to 6:00pm starts on Saturday 24th April.

The intention is to run an Adult Session on Friday mornings as well at a later stage.

For any info on any of the above Coaching, please ring Jane on 07713 778 446 or Gemma on 07876 638 848.

FIRST CUCKOO
Spring is upon us and a few more Cricketers were spotted at the nets last Sunday late afternoon flapping their wings. Also spotted were a few migrating homewards Tennis Ladies in short skirts - another good sign that the Winter is almost over. I will cast my clout when I see Kris, Denis and Val's little white wrinkly knees emerging from beneath their Damart Long Johns. Any day now I hear.

LONDON MARATHON
Simon Q is running this year for the PDSA. If you would like to sponsor him visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/sq. God bless his little cotton socks and legs if he can get around.

WEDNESDAY EVENING TENNIS
Starts again on WEDNESDAY 7TH APRIL - remember our courts will be painted on Monday 17th May.

CLUB SUCCESS
Well would you Adam and Eve it, we have not one, not two but three teams through to the Winter Finals. Hats off to our First Team who have made it to the Winter Mens Division One North Kent final, a marvellous achievement. They now play Gravesham at home on Saturday March 20th at 10:00am where victory would make them the top side in North Kent for the Winter. The Ladies Second Team, that’s Sue and the gang play their Final versus Gravesham on Sunday March 21st at Home at 1:00pm. Finally, Stewart and his Vets Second Team are also in the Final which is due to be played away on Saturday April 10th. Can we bring off three great wins – my local Paddy Power is not so sure. I say we can, and to win Division One would be a major triumph.

RECENT RESULTS
Mens One beat Wendover One 3-1 with Chris, Nathan, Raphael and Adam Chapman.
Mens Vets 2 beat Hartley 2 by 4-0 with Steve Roberts, Clive Birkhamshaw, Stewart and Denis.
Vets One and Ladies Vets had their matches called off due to the rain.

Talking about rain. Two brave old boys played a Singles on our courts last Sunday afternoon which surprisingly were free from water, whereas the overflow car park was under water. Nice to know that our newly re-laid courts are waterproof. They are due to be painted on Monday 17th May and will be out of action for around eight days (Remember to record your vote on the COLOUR!) – hence a lot of away games at this stage. We should have grass court usage as well during this period.

MARCH FIXTURES
This Saturday at 10:30am and one court only, our Ladies Pair play Sydenham in round one of the 2010 North Kent Cup.
Saturday 13th March Our Ladies Vets are at Crescent.
Wednesday 17th March Our Over 70 Team are at home to Margate.
Saturday 20th March Our Mens One play Gravesham in the Winter Final at home at 10:00am while Eamons Vets One are away to Bearsted.
Jayne's Ladies Vets are away to Beckenham.
Sunday 21st March at 1:00pm. Come to cheer Sue and Ladies 2 who entertain Gravesham in their final.

SUMMER SEASON
Yes, the Summer season starts on April 1st but we make an early start beginning with Eamon's Vets One playing Bexley 2 at home on Saturday 27th March at 10:00am, not an easy opener by any means.

SUMMER FIXTURES
If you would like a copy of this Summers Fixtures, just give me a shout and I will e-mail them to you.

LONGEST SERVING PLAYERS
I can now confirm that the current longest serving players at the club are Mark Smith and Angela Rezki. Mark joined in 1981 and starts his 30th season with Catford.

CASINO NIGHT
Thank you Jayne and Simon for a most enjoyable Casino night last Friday. James Bond, Diamond Lil and Pussy Galore could not make it, but those who did, had a lovely evening of fun gambling.

CEILIDH ON MARCH 13TH
Tickets are now selling well for this evening of Live Music, a Caller, some nice food and a chance to try out Dances from all over the British Isles. It's £10 for Adults and £4 for Children. Tickets are available from Val behind the bar.

Please get your tickets as soon as possible as the Organiser, Maggie needs definite figures for ordering the food. It promises to be a lively evening, so swing into Spring with a Highland Fling.

NO TAKERS
We had only one taker for a Tennis weekend away so Angela who was organising, has had to cancel .

NOTE TO WINTER CAPTAINS
Please hand in your Winter match subs to Val as soon as possible.

AND FINALLY...
Yes, the news you all do not to get a reminder about but it is Annual Subscription time again and your 2010 subscriptions are due on April 1st.

RESULTS
Just one result from to days bitterly cold Catford where our midweek old Boys lost to Hayes 1-3 with Val , Denis , Tony and David Sansom. Hot bowls of soup afterwards cheered up the old codgers.

THIS WEEKS FIXTURES
Eamon's Vets One are at home Saturday to Sevenoaks at 10:00am and on Sunday Stewart's Vets Two are home to Gravesham at 1:00pm (2 courts). On Monday February 15th our midweek Mixed Vets are at Crescent at 10:30am and on Wednesday 17th the Over 70s are at Bexley.

CASINO NIGHT
Yes, we have a Casino night at the Club on Friday evening February 26th at 8:00pm with a chance to play Roulette, Poker and Blackjack. Cost is £3 with half to the club and half towards prizes. Jayne is kindly organising the evening and it's all fund raising for the club.

CEILIDH
Yes, that’s the correct spelling for a Kay-lee which we are holding on Saturday March 13th at 8:00pm. Thanks to Maggie Innes of the Badminton Section who is organising – yet another fund raiser where we have live music, a caller and we have a bash at various Dances from the British Isles. Swing your partner to the right, oh yes its gonna be a lively night.

Admission is £10 with food so please show your support.

CRICKET NEWS
Congratulations to Daniel Drummond–Bell son of our Club Chairman Percy who was a member of the Kent Under 17 side who had a great 2009 season winning the National Cup and Championship. Young Daniel made a superb 103 in the Cup final against Durham.

Can we also extend our sympathy to the wife and family of former Catford Cricketer Tony Lesley who passed away recently. Our sympathy goes also to former tennis player Roy Causton on the death of his dear wife Heather who lost her battle with cancer. Roy was our Mens Doubles winner in 1997.

IT'S HOT HERE
Former Catford Tennis player Andy Guneratne sends his regards from Perth in Australia where its very, very hot at present. Andy won our Club Doubles three years in a row with Mark Smith 1993-95.

MEMBERSHIP FEES 2010
Its that time of the year again where we announce the Club fees for the year ahead and which are due on April 1st. This year as expected, our fees have to be increased quite a bit and which we agreed at our AGM. This is to meet the cost of our newly re-surfaced Courts which will be painted in mid May. So for 2010 Adults Membership is £180 and Husband/Wife/Partner: £280. Student rate is £90 and Under 18 rate is £40. Your Exec Committee are also looking at a Family Membership scheme. So apart from the newly resurfaced and painted Courts, six Grass Courts what else do you get? As always we have plenty teams competing if you want to play Inter Club Tennis. Club Tournament and four Handicap together with a Pimms Tournaments. A new practise wall, a ball machine if you need to practise and lots of Social Tennis. Social tennis includes Sunday afternoons in Summer, Wednesday evenings from April, Tuesday mornings and a new Ladies practise on Thursday afternoons. There is a new Coaching programme coming into place from Easter and more about this later.

LADIES IN FINAL
Yes our Ladies second team are in the North Kent Winter Final and play Gravesham 2 at home on Sunday March 7th at 1:00pm. Come and support the girls.

TENNIS RESULTS
We were hit by snow once again last week and two games were snowed off on the Saturday. On Sunday however, Ladies 2 and Captain Sue Rice–Vine took Janice, Sharon and Claudia to Chislehurst where they had a 4—0 victory. So now, having played 4 games, won 3 and drawn one they await to see if they are in the Winter Division 3 Final. It may all boil down to their drawn game with Knockholt where sets and games will be a factor.

Simon's Mens 3 finished their Winter Programme with Dean, David Pitman, Ben Brown and Mike Legon going down 0—4 to Hartley – disappointing result, not so much the loss, but the fact they should have run the visitors closer.

Today our Over 60 side saw off Crescent to end their Winter programme, the side being John Clay, Tony Barnes, Denis and Clive Richardson.

FEBRUARY FIXTURES
No matches this weekend so courts available Saturday morning and all day Sunday.

Wednesday 10th February at 10:30am we see Val O'Brien and his Over 70s take on Hayes at home. Age Concern has warned of rival Granny groupies clashing and Police are on full alert!

Saturday 13th February at 10:00am Eamon and his Vets One are at home to Sevenoaks.

Sunday 14th February at 1:00pm Stewart and his Vets Two are at home to Gravesham.

Monday 15th February at 10:30am Denis takes his midweek Mixed Veterans side to Crescent to conclude their Winter Programme.

Wednesday 17th February at 10:30am Val goes to Bexley with his Over 70s side complete with Horlicks. Warning: Ticket Touts will be in operation!

Saturday 20th February at 1:00pm Eamon takes his Vets One to Sundridge Park and Jayne and her Ladies Vets entertain Sundridge Park at 10:00am.

Sunday 21st February Courts free all day.

Wednesday 24th February at 10:30am Val and his Over 70s boys continue their busy month with a home match versus Margate. Will it be Dreamland for Val.

Saturday 27th February at 10:00am Stewart and his Vets Two final game and they entertain Hartley 2 and Nathan and Mens One are at Wendover at 1pm for the top clash of two unbeaten sides.

Sunday 28th February at 1:00pm Eamon and Vets One visit Bearsted for their final game and at 12:00pm Jayne and her Vets, sorry mature Ladies are at Crescent.

SOCIAL TIME AND IT'S CEILI TIME
On Saturday 13th March Maggie Inness will be running a Ceili to raise funds at the Club at 8:00pm. So what's a Ceili?? It's an evening of Scottish, Irish, English and Welsh Dances with live music and a caller where we hope you will step it out and give it a try. Just swing to the right, men to the left, ladies to the middle and let's hear that fiddle. The cost £10 which includes food and all profits go to the club. So please please support and we want raffle prizes as well. It’s a fun evening and a great way to improve your footwork for the summer ahead.

GOSSIP COLUMN
Nothing like a bit of gossip and scandal to enliven our Newsletter so hear we go.....

Who was the Catford Tennis Lady spotted recently at the National Gallery arm in arm with a strange guy who couldn’t tell his Canaletto from his Cornetto?

Who was the Catford Tennis Lady spotted recently playing at the All England Club – Indoors of course?? And didn’t she do well!

Why did the Captain of the Mens Over 60 team try to gag the Press after he was found in bed with two Tennis Rackets, one of which belonged to his partner. Can he still remain as Captain asks Max Clifford? And so say all of us.

Will Steve Roberts and Val O'Brien be nominated for Oscars after their performance recently in Catfords film of 'Trading Places' where Steve was relegated to Mens 3 and Val in his Eddie Murphy role was elevated to Mens Two.

More gossip news and scandal always welcome!

OUR COURTS
Our re-surfaced Courts, complete with new nets and winders are playing very well with an even bounce and they look really smart. The Practise wall is also being used and will be painted shortly. You might have noticed very minor wet/dampness on the courts but this is part of the surface bedding in and will gradually fade away. Here's a note for your Diary: Monday, 17th May. That’s when the courts will be painted with the colours of our choice. The courts will be out of action for 8 days (weather permitting) during and after the painting.

This brings me to our website where you are asked to vote on the two toned colours you would like to see painted.

Log on to our website www.catfordwanderers.co.uk and register your vote

CAPTAINS
Team Captains, could you please hand in your match fees £8.00 per Winter match after each game to Val behind the Bar. The Club's main Treasurer would like the money to paid in promptly which gives her a better guide to the cash flow. Also Captains, the winder for the hard court nets, should you need it - speak to Denis - it's safely hidden! I do check the nets regularly and with our new nets perfectly installed they should retain perfect height - unless abused, jumped on, etc, etc. So if you see players leaning on the nets, do advise them not to do so. We now have three perfect hard courts, nice flat even surface that we should keep neat, clean and up to standard.

FIXTURES
Very busy weekend ahead with five, yes five teams in action:
Saturday: Home at 10.00am: Eamon Martin's Vets One take on Hayes in their opening Kent match.

Saturday: Away at 1.00 pm: Andy Hellier's Mixed Two are at Sydenham in their final match.

Sunday: Away at 10.30am: Stewart Walker's Vets Two are away at Old Wilsonians.

Sunday: Away at 11.00am: Steph's Ladies One visit Park Langley.

Sunday: Home at 1.00pm: Steve Le Comber's Mens Two play Martin Dene.

We do try and avoid Sunday matches during the Winter time, but unfortunately the bad weather and also our courts being out of action has meant there will be some matches on Sundays at 1.00pm. So if you want Social Tennis, there will be 3 courts from 8.30am onwards and just one court from 1.00pm onwards.

RESULTS
Just one result so far this year where our mid week Vets side of Rob, Denis, Sharon and Janice lost 0-4 to Bexley. Yes, a bad hammering, but Bexley have not been beaten in this competition for some years and fielded a very, very strong side, especially the Ladies pairing. What had Captain Denis to say to his crestfallen side? Eating his large slice of homemade bread pudding he quoted the poet John Dryden who said: "I'm a little wounded, but I am not slain, I will lay me down to bleed a while. Then ill rise and fight again".

CELEBRATION
IN 2011, that’s next year, North Kent Tennis Association will celebrate its 75th birthday when the Presentation Dinner and Dance will be a celebratory formal affair. In 2014 we will celebrate our 100 years as a Tennis Club and even at this early stage any suggestions of how and where we should celebrate are welcome.
KARAOKE NIGHT
Last Friday's sing as we go went down well and Friday evening Social night continues to attract patrons. Thank you Val for preparing the food and thanks to all those who sang or was it strangled the songs last week. Poor old Denis asked for a Pat Boone song, but no one head of him, which upset the old chap. Keep attending on Fridays folks.

HELLO BOYS
And Girls of course, as I gaze at a snow clad Catford Wanderers with only a flock of seagulls for company. We begin with the disappointing news of the demise of the Acacia Hall Tennis Club set in the middle of Dartford High Street. Formerly known as Wellcome, the Club entered North Kent competitions in 1951 and down the years provided wonderful facilities. Beautiful grass courts and a subsidised delicious meal afterwards in a delightful Patio setting and glorious park in the background. Farewell then to a lovely Club and the rumour is that several of their players are transferring to Oakwood in Crayford, a club where our own Jim Short is due to join as well. We enjoyed some great North Kent Dances at the venue as well.

POSTPONED MATCHES
The snow has played havoc with matches so here are some of the new dates. The Mens Over 70 home to Hayes will now be on Wednesday February 10th and Mens 3 versus Hartley is on Sunday January 31st. Mixed 2 away to Sydenham is now on Saturday 23rd January and the Ladies 2 game away to Chislehurst is on Sunday 31st January. The Over 60 team are at home to Crescent on Wednesday February 3rd.

OTHER POSTPONED GAMES
We called the Pools Panel in to forecast the result of the other matches and the Panel, Mrs Elkins, Mrs O Brien, Mrs Bates and Mrs Costelloe responded with "If those silly husbands of ours go and play Tennis in these conditions, they better not come running to us, if they break their bloody legs".

KENT TENNIS
You will see a folder on the notice board detailing Kent Tennis and what they got to offer. Information on Coaches, Timed Junior Tennis, Volunteers, ClubMark, etc, etc. Kent Tennis and North Kent would welcome any volunteers who can help in any way. Apart from myself on the Kent Council the only other volunteer we have is Mark Smith who serves on North Kent, so if you can assist please let me know. In my last newsletter I mentioned the benefits of becoming an Associated Member of Kent Tennis where your chances of getting a Wimbledon Ticket are excellent. Ring me if you want any more information.

CAPTAINS AND TEAMS FOR SUMMER 2010 IN NORTH KENT
The following are the Teams and Captains for the Summer ahead and the Divisions that they are likely to play in:

MENS ONE: Chris Gilbert and they will compete in Division 1 with Crescent, Gravesham, Martin Dene and the two Wendover teams. Good Luck Fellas.

MENS TWO: Steve LeComber will find himself in Division E hoping that HE can get this side promotion. All other Captains have failed.

MENS THREE: Steve Hubbard, a new skipper will be in Division H and is already looking at the January transfer window around the local parks.

LADIES ONE: Stephanie James and her Girls are in Division B.

LADIES TWO: Unlucky last year not to make the top spot, Sue Rice-Vine leads a side who are having a happy Winter programme to date.

LADIES THREE: A new side and possibly the first ever Ladies Third team to come out of Catford, the Captain is Jayne Qureshi.

MIXED ONE: Angela Captains a team who are in the Premier Division. A great achievement. Good Luck team.

MIXED TWO: Andy Hellier is the new Captain who in footy speak told me "We will be there or thereabouts" whatever that means.

VETERANS ONE: Eamon Martin and his merry men look forward to a good year.

VETERANS TWO: New Skipper Stewart Walker takes over with new boy Andy Hellier coming of age and joining the panel.

OVER 60 TEAM: Denis O Tennis will try and promote
the only Catford side to be relegated last year.

OVER 70 TEAM: New competition and Val O Brien and Dads Army will go into action. Val (79) goes into the record books as the oldest ever Catford Captain. Pass the Horlicks with some WD40 please.

KENT TENNIS: Nathan Smith and Simon Qureshi will captain our Kent teams.

KARAOKE NIGHT
Join us this Friday night for Karaoke night at the Club where you are invited to sing or murder any song of your choice. You can do it your way, give vent to Delilah or try and explain as you sing, the meaning of the song "A whiter shade of pale". It starts at 8:30pm with Simon singing "The Toreador song" from Carmen.

NEW YEAR HONOURS LIST
So Rick Parvitt and Francis Rossi, local boys I believe, made the honours list for "Rocking all over the World". Why then, no honours for Dorothy and Val O Brien who have been "Lobbing all over the World" for God knows how long. Someone should write to Her Majesty.

WEEK DAY TENNIS
Yes, we have Tennis every Tuesday morning all the year around affectionately known as The Old Gits Club or St Gits Nursery. Starting as well from next week Jayne Qureshi is organising a Thursday afternoon Ladies session from 2pm onwards. Ring Jayne for more information. Lots of hot Tennis, Hot Tea and Hot Gossip.

AND FINALLY A NEW YEARS MESSAGE
I was trying to find a suitable message to wish you all the best for 2010 when I came across a poem by Minnie Haskins made famous by King George the Sixth in his 1939 Christmas broadcast when he used the following lines from it:
I SAID TO THE MAN WHO STOOD AT THE GATE OF THE NEW YEAR – " GIVE ME THE LIGHT THAT I MAY THREAD SAFELY INTO THE UNKNOWN" AND HE REPLIED "GO OUT INTO THE DARKNESS, AND PUT YOUR HAND INTO THE HAND OF GOD. THAT SHALL BE TO YOUR BETTER THAN LIGHT, AND SAFER THAN A KNOWN WAY"