Croquet returned to Ham House on 16th and 17th July as Jaques of London once again held two of their Family Fun days there in conjunction with the National Trust. Along with other outdoor games, five short lawns were laid out for croquet and lots of people, with lots of children, came to have a go. For the second year, members of Ember Croquet Club joined Ben Jaques and his son Tom in providing instruction and assistance to visitors from all over London and beyond.
The weather was fine and the surroundings congenial, providing an all too rare opportunity to promote public awareness of an under-appreciated sport.
Croquet came to Ham House in S.W. London on a sunny June weekend, as Jaques of London held two of their Family Fun days there in conjunction with the National Trust. Along with other outdoor games, five short lawns were laid out for croquet and lots of people, with lots of children, came to have a go. Members of Ember Croquet Club, Esher joined Ben Jaques and his son Tom in providing instruction and assistance, which were eagerly welcomed
Faint hopes of finding new club members were dashed as so few of the visitors were local, but helpers found sufficient reward from the enthusiasm of the mostly novice players and the congenial surroundings, marred only by the house being shrouded in scaffolding. At a time when there has been talk of croquet ‘croaking’ by 2037, it was an opportunity to help maintain public awareness of the game, and perhaps even spark a germ of interest here and there in the next generation of potential players.
Summer Tennis Camps
Come and have some fun on the tennis court this summer playing games and winning prizes. Games Include…Touch the net, 21, Dodge-ball, Handball, Bluff, Rotation Doubles + many more
9am-10am (Ages 6-8)
Club members: £10 for 1 day or £35 for 4 days, Guests are charged an additional £1 per day
10am-3pm (Ages 8+)
Club members: £30 for 1 day or £100 for 4 days, Guests are charged an additional £1 per day
Week 1
- Thurs 24th July
- Fri 25th July
Week 2
- Mon 28th July
- Tues 29th July
- Thur 31st July
- Fri 1st Aug
Week 3
- Mon 18th Aug
- Tues 19th Aug
- Thurs 21st Aug
- Fri 22 Aug
Week 4
- Mon 25th Aug
- Tues 26th Aug
- Thur 28th Aug
- Fri 29th Aug
.
To sign up please contact the coach:
.
Rob Blundell
LTA / RPT Licenced Coach
tennis.blundell@gmail.com
07708 704 216
2014 Junior Tournament Competitors
Congratulations to the 2014 Ember Junior Tournament Winners and Runners-Up
Girls 12 & Under
Winner: Ramandeep Deol (Left)
Runner-Up: Zara Evans (Right)
Boys 10 & Under
Winner: Alex Taylor (Left)
Runner-Up: Luke Galpin (Right)
Boys 12 & Under
Winner: Alex Dawson (Left)
Runner-Up: Bryn Duncan (Right)
Boys 12 & Under Plate
Winner: Euan Strachan (Right)
Runner-Up: Seb Allen (Left)
Boys 15 & Under
Winner: Jack Atherton (Left)
Runner-Up: William Burdess (Right)
Boys 15 & Under Plate
Winner: Kieran Galpin (Right)
Runner-Up: Rhys Hamilton-Davies (Left)
Sorry for the interruption in service – Ember Sports Club website is now back online!
Diary dates
- Indoor croquet – 2nd Tuesday of the month – 11 March 2014 7.30pm
- Season Opener get-together – Friday 21st March. 7.45pm
- SECF Team Doubles tournament – Sat & Sun 17th/18th May
The last of the winter indoor evenings in the Main pavilion will be on the Second Tuesday the 11th of March 2014. Doors will open at 7.30pm for a start about 7.45. We will as usual open the Bar for refreshment.
Traditionally our outdoor season opens on Easter Monday but we would normally hope to start playing early April if the weather is kind to us and the lawns dry out. There will be a Get Together social evening on Friday the 21st of March from 7.30 pm. Spouses and partners welcome.
But please put a note in your diaries as we have a rather important matters of business to attend to that should only take 5 to 10 minutes, but will require a Quorum of ten members. Please don’t rely on others to make up the numbers, everyone counts. Thank you.
There is more work to be done on the lawns and the pavilion before the beginning of the season – if the rain ever stops. The lawn has not been scarified once and will now be cut weekly to get it into shape, is a bit soggy in places at the moment. More treatment will be applied before we start to play so please do not walk on the lawn unless you need to work on it. We will try to get the hoops set for Sunday March 23rd. Thanks to Mike Lambert who has, through his contacts with the Hurlingham Club acquired a number of second hand mallets and handles which he has used to refurbish a dozen mallets for our use as club mallets, Mike many thanks.
The SECF Team Doubles tournament takes place over two days and comprises of teams of four players playing doubles games against other clubs. Normally 5 games over the 2 days. The four players can be changed at any time between games. The Sat and Sunday teams can be a totally different four or players can substitute morning and afternoon, etc.
We need to diary the weekend and to know that we can have at least 6 members available over the w/e to play. Please let Roger or Mike Lambert know if you are interested.
Please come along to the Indoor session on 11 March it will be a good opportunity to get the feel of a mallet again before we get back outside. Spouses, partners and friends also welcome.
Easyfundraising
The Club can earn cash donations when members register to support us and shop online through the easyfundraising website. It’s a simple process:
Register at www.easyfundraising.org.uk by following the on-screen prompts – you will need to enter an 8-character password.
When you’re asked to choose your cause, enter “Ember Sports Club” and then click the ‘Continue’ button.
Each time you are considering an online purchase, first log into your easyfundraising account, select a participating retailer (there is a search facility), and then continue your transaction in the normal manner. During the process you will be advised of the percentage of the purchase value that will be passed on to the Club.
There are over 2,700 online retailers available, including Amazon, John Lewis, eBay and Tesco and all will give a small percentage of what’s been spent back to the Club to say thank you for shopping with them.
If you wish your contribution to be made available to your section, then you will need to confirm to Bob Knox the total you have raised, which will be shown in your easyfundraising account.
Subscriptions 2014
The standard membership subscription for an adult will increase by £4 this year to cover the £2 rise for the main club subscription and the £2 for the tennis subscription; so the standard membership will be £215 for the year. Other adult subscriptions will be increased pro-rata. There will be no increase for junior or student subscriptions.
Open afternoons
During the month of April, the tennis section will hold open afternoons so that visitors can come and see the mix in or join in. All members are asked, when possible, to welcome visitors and potential new members; there should always be someone present from the committee to talk to any visitors. An advert will be going in Your Elmbridge magazine, due to be delivered on 1st &2nd April.
The new membership year starts on the 1st April. All members are encouraged to bring friends to try the mix-in, and hopefully join the Club.
Bank Holiday Tournament
The tennis section intends to run a Bank Holiday tournament on April 21st. More details in next month Newsletter.
Match results: Ladies second team have played all their winter season matches, winning 2, drawn 1 and lost 2. They ended up third out of six in their league.
Maintenance
Due to the prolonged bad weather, all tennis court show substantial moss growth, especially courts 1,2,3,4,and 5; the plan is to have them all treated soon after our finals in July but until then, a bit of elbow grease spent on brushing them occasionally would be very welcome, especially from a safety point of view. Brushes will be taken out from the garage and made visible and easily accessible. Could all members please consider spending a few minutes at the beginning of the daily session and try and brush some of the worst bits on the court they are playing on; between us all, we should be able to make the surface completely safe and better looking.
A defibrillator will be purchased by the Club in March and located in the phone booth, to be used in case of emergencies; any member willing to familiarise with its operations, please contact Piero Zarantonello on piero.zaran@btconnect.com, or 07711 084 884, who will then arrange the opportunity to inspect it and understand its functionality.
Easyfundraising
The Club can earn cash donations when members register to support us and shop online through the easyfundraising website. It’s a simple process:
- Register at www.easyfundraising.org.uk by following the on-screen prompts – you will need to enter an 8-character password.
- When you’re asked to choose your cause, enter “Ember Sports Club” and then click the ‘Continue’ button.
- Each time you are considering an online purchase, first log into your easyfundraising account, select a participating retailer (there is a search facility), and then continue your transaction in the normal manner. During the process you will be advised of the percentage of the purchase value that will be passed on to the Club.
There are over 2,700 online retailers available, including Amazon, John Lewis, eBay and Tesco and all will give a small percentage of what’s been spent back to the Club to say thank you for shopping with them.
If you wish your contribution to be made available to your section, then you will need to confirm to Bob Knox the total you have raised, which will be shown in your easyfundraising account.
March Newsletter Roger Dollimore
Diary dates
Indoor croquet – 2nd Tuesday of the month – 11 March 2014 7.30pm
Season Opener get-together – Friday 21st March. 7.45pm
SECF Team Doubles tournament – Sat & Sun 17th/18th May
The last of the winter indoor evenings in the Main pavilion will be on the Second Tuesday the 11th of March 2014. Doors will open at 7.30pm for a start about 7.45. We will as usual open the Bar for refreshment.
Traditionally our outdoor season opens on Easter Monday but we would normally hope to start playing early April if the weather is kind to us and the lawns dry out. There will be a Get Together social evening on Friday the 21st of March from 7.30 pm. Spouses and partners welcome.
But please put a note in your diaries as we have a rather important matters of business to attend to that should only take 5 to 10 minutes, but will require a Quorum of ten members. Please don’t rely on others to make up the numbers, everyone counts. Thank you.
There is more work to be done on the lawns and the pavilion before the beginning of the season – if the rain ever stops. The lawn has not been scarified once and will now be cut weekly to get it into shape, is a bit soggy in places at the moment. More treatment will be applied before we start to play so please do not walk on the lawn unless you need to work on it. We will try to get the hoops set for Sunday March 23rd. Thanks to Mike Lambert who has, through his contacts with the Hurlingham Club acquired a number of second hand mallets and handles which he has used to refurbish a dozen mallets for our use as club mallets, Mike many thanks.
The SECF Team Doubles tournament takes place over two days and comprises of teams of four players playing doubles games against other clubs. Normally 5 games over the 2 days. The four players can be changed at any time between games. The Sat and Sunday teams can be a totally different four or players can substitute morning and afternoon, etc.
We need to diary the weekend and to know that we can have at least 6 members available over the w/e to play. Please let Roger or Mike Lambert know if you are interested.
Please come along to the Indoor session on 11 March it will be a good opportunity to get the feel of a mallet again before we get back outside. Spouses, partners and friends also welcome.
Easyfundraising
The Club can earn cash donations when members register to support us and shop online through the easyfundraising website. It’s a simple process:
1. Register at www.easyfundraising.org.uk by following the on-screen prompts – you will need to enter an 8-character password.
2. When you’re asked to choose your cause, enter “Ember Sports Club” and then click the ‘Continue’ button.
3. Each time you are considering an online purchase, first log into your easyfundraising account, select a participating retailer (there is a search facility), and then continue your transaction in the normal manner. During the process you will be advised of the percentage of the purchase value that will be passed on to the Club.
There are over 2,700 online retailers available, including Amazon, John Lewis, eBay and Tesco and all will give a small percentage of what’s been spent back to the Club to say thank you for shopping with them.
If you wish your contribution to be made available to your section, then you will need to confirm to Bob Knox the total you have raised, which will be shown in your easyfundraising account.
MARCH NEWSLETTER – SYLVIA JONES
Diary Dates
Thursday, 20 March – Ladies’ Lunch
Friday, 11 April, 7.30pm – Pre-Season Meeting + Bowlswear Direct sales from 6.30pm
Saturday, 12 April – Opening Day for the New Season (Subject to change)
Sunday, 27 April – Start of Beginners’ Course for New Bowlers (See below)
Social Evening
The evening was enjoyed by the 37 attendees who, fed with hot dogs, popcorn and various nibbles, were challenged by a picture quiz and then by ten questions based on films and finally entertained by the film “Last Orders”. Thanks go to Jenny and Alice for organising the food and to the other helpers who assisted with arranging the room, setting up the cinema and manning the bar.
Indoor Fixtures
Ember enjoyed an excellent 70 – 66 win against a strong Elmbridge team.
Wanted! A couple of players, of any standard, are needed to make up the numbers for the remaining indoor friendly mixed match of the winter: Saturday, 22 March v Cambridge Park, 4 Rinks, 2.00pm start, whites, £9.50 inc.full meal. Please let Dave Nottage know asap if you would like to play: 0208 979 5672 i.nottage123@btinternet.com
Jubilee Cup
Ember has ended top of its group in the inter-club Jubilee Cup mixed competition. Good luck to the team in the quarter-final against Cuddington on 10 March, 6.30pm at King George Field.
Ladies’ Lunch – Thursday, 20 March
Ladies, thank you to those who have booked and a reminder to those who have not, please send your cheque for £17, payable to Alice Dormon, to Alice at 50 Grafton Road, Worcester Park, Surrey KT4 7QP in time the deadline of 10 March. La Orient in Esher is the venue, 12.30 for 1pm is the time. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Pre-Season Meeting – Friday, 11 April 7.30pm
This is the perfect way to meet up at the start of the season, catch up on events and plan your summer activities and, yes, the bar will be open. Bowlswear Direct will be setting up shop before the meeting and purchases may be made from about 6.30pm. Have a look through your bowls kit now and see what items of clothing or accessories you might need for the coming season. The Bowls Club receives a percentage of the monies taken so, the more we buy the more we benefit. Don’t forget that chalk spray is always available at the Club; just ask Colin or Sylvia Jones. Colin also has a supply of club badges and ties and Sylvia is the girl to order your sweatshirts from.
Jobs for the Boys (and Girls Too)
This time last year the “Jobs for the Boys (and Girls Too)” questionnaire was circulated to members. As a result most of you were actively involved with the numerous and varied jobs associated with running the Bowls Section. This year members will be receiving a similar form with their subscription renewals on which they can indicate their preference for undertaking catering, gardening or green duties during the coming season. By volunteering and sharing everything gets done and no-one ends up doing too much. Replies should be returned to Sylvia Jones either at the Pre-Season Meeting on 11 April or posted to 28 Darby Crescent, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex TW16 5LA or left on the clubhouse letter board.
Club Competitions
This year the men’s and ladies’ entry form for Club competitions will again be sent to members with their subscriptions renewal letter. Ideally, completed forms should be handed to either of the competition secretaries (Dave Bardsley or Linda Pillman) at the Pre-Season Meeting together with a cheque payable to Ember Sports Club. There will be a leeway for those not able to attend the meeting but please note that the deadline for entries will be Friday 2nd May. The entry date for the Non-Winners competition will be delayed until later in the season to allow newer bowlers to gain confidence and experience. In a change to the rules this competition will now be restricted to members who have:
• never won any Club Singles competition
• not won any Club Pairs competition in the previous seven seasons
• not won any County or District level competition or
• not won a Coronation Cup final
Beginners’ Course
‘Bowls for Beginners’ classes begin with a Taster Session on the morning of Sunday 27 April with follow-up classes on Sunday 4 and 11 May and the evenings of Thursday 1, 8 and 15 May. Please spread the word around and encourage friends, family, colleagues and acquaintances to try out the game and help boost our membership. Jerry Ingham is the contact: 020 8398 0885 or jeremy.ingham@tiscali.co.uk
North West Surrey Competitions
The deadline for entries is 28 April when the form will be taken down from the notice board. For more details on the competitions contact John Garland: john.garland@tiscali.co.uk or 01932 220221.
North West Surrey Men’s Friday Evening League Matches
This year Ember will have a team in the Double Rinks League and also a team in the top division of the Single Rink League. The committee has discussed the method of selection for these matches and feel that whilst giving match experience to some of our younger improving players, we should play more from strength than in previous seasons so the number of players selected will be slightly less this year.
Twelve players will be required on most Fridays from 9 May until 8 August and John Garland will be sending out forms asking nominated players for their availability for these matches towards the end of March.
Phoenix Cards
Look out for the brochures at the clubhouse and start ordering greeting cards again for birthdays, anniversaries and other occasions, plus lovely wrapping papers and more. Remember, the Bowls Club receives a percentage of the monies taken so, the more we buy the more we benefit. Jo will be at the Pre-Season Meeting with her stand but alternatively you can ring her or order online:
020 8399 6526 www.phoenix-trading.eu/web/jopink
New Umpire
Sylvia is to be congratulated on passing the exams to qualify as a Regional Umpire. (Ken H)
Easyfundraising
The Club can earn cash donations when members register to support us and shop online through the easyfundraising website. It’s a simple process:
1. Register at www.easyfundraising.org.uk by following the on-screen prompts – you will need to enter an 8-character password.
2. When you’re asked to choose your cause, enter “Ember Sports Club” and then click the ‘Continue’ button.
3. Each time you are considering an online purchase, first log into your easyfundraising account, select a participating retailer (there is a search facility), and then continue your transaction in the normal manner. During the process you will be advised of the percentage of the purchase value that will be passed on to the Club.
There are over 2,700 online retailers available, including Amazon, John Lewis, eBay and Tesco and all will give a small percentage of what’s been spent back to the Club to say thank you for shopping with them.
If you wish your contribution to be made available to your section, then you will need to confirm to Bob Knox the total you have raised, which will be shown in your easyfundraising account.
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