Cracking up in the Car Park

Apparently there's a crack down the outside wall in the rear carpark, which needs to be sorted out before the cavity wall insulation is installed. Looks like it's worse than it first appeared, and it's likely that this crack is going through to the interior walls, which will be why the front wall on court four has always been a bit dodgy.

A structural engineer has been called in, awaiting his verdict, but CourtCraft say that as long as it's fixed by next Thursday it won't have any impact on their schedule. Fingers corssed ...

A few photies

Not too much obvious work today, so here's a few photos to keep you amused ...

(Direct link)

Let the works commence

Major court work started today, as the Courtcraft workers arrived shortly after 9am.

The courts are now unplayable, with the floors on courts one and two stripped out, and court three halfway there (there's just the odd board out of four and five).

The place isn't completely dead though - the bar is still open, the Sauna is available until next Monday, and the Table Tennis table is set up and ready for use.

There's a Pool Competition - with prizes donated by the brewery - starting at 5.30pm on Friday 29th. There will be a table tennis comp the following week, so get practicing.

His cup runneth over - the Steve Cubbins Cup

What's this that Steve Cubbins has won ?

Well, nothing actually, it's YOU who could win this magnificent trophy ... if Steve decides so.

Let's explain.

The committee are very appreciative of Steve's efforts over the years, particularly in organising events such as the Club Championships, Summer Open, Exhibitions, Social tournaments etc. They kept trying to give him some form of reward or recognition for this, but Steve always wanted to stay in the background, got annoyed when a committee member tried to thank hm publicly at one of these events, and refused all offers of recompense.

So, they came up with the idea of ....  the Steve Cubbins Cup.


The idea is that each year Steve gets to decide who should be the lucky recipient, the criteria being ... whatever Steve decides. 

Sterling performances for the club teams, advancement in national and international competitions, tireless work on behalf of the club, acts of kindness (like buying Steve several Kronenbourgs), the possibilities are endless, and we won't get to know who will become the first recipient until this years' Club Championships, which will take place towards the end of the year.

"It's a really nice gesture from the Committee," said Steve. "I do what I do because I enjoy doing it, not for any particular reward, but if they're insistent on making something of it then this is a really nice way, so thanks to everyone involved and I hope I make some good choices to receive this lovely trophy."

So there you go ... you are being watched, and come the end of the year one of you will receive a lovely surprise. Who, and Why ... we'll just have to wait and see ..............

So Long Sodium

The lighting on all five courts has now been replaced with traditional flourescent strips, so the days of burning out your eyeballs looking out for those lob serves are over ... not that the lob servers are particularly happy !

Court Maintenance Update

Some preparation work is nearing completion, with the out-of-court areas tidied up, and traditional strip lighting replaced on three courts so far. The major work to refurbish all floors and court walls starts on the 25th Jan and is expected to last three and a half weeks.

During this time the courts will be out of action, but the club will be open as normal with full bar facilities - and table tennis!

Other work which will be carried out includes installation of a stairlift, replacement of the heating controls, refurbishment of the ladies' changing room, cavity wall insulation and a host of other improvements.

The club us expected to be open for usual business towards the end of February. Arrangements have been made for members to use the courts at Jesmond and Northern in off-peak hours.

More updates to follow ...