TAVISTOCK Tennis Club held its annual general meeting last Wednesday, which was well attended, including club president Norma Woodcock, Cllr Pat Warne and Jenny Sanders representing her husband Ken, Cllr and vice-president.

Mike Jefferies, chairman, gave an overview of the club's activities for the year which had been a good one on all counts: playing, social and progress with the plans for the development of club facilities.

Men's, ladies' and junior teams had played in the Plymouth and District League main competitions and in the new trial mixed doubles friendly competition which proved successful and is to be continued this year. The standard of play overall was high in these competitions.

There was a good entry for the club tournaments where there were keenly fought and entertaining matches with some new winners.

Hosting the LTA Junior Ratings National Tournament — Series 3 event for the seventh year running was a great boost for the club and tennis in the area generally.

There were 16 friendly matches which included three new clubs, Bovey Tracey, Launceston and Dorking (Surrey), where the club won 6, lost 8, one unfinished due to weather and the other with Tavistock coming second in the now established triangular match with Yelverton and North Wyke.

The appointment of a part-time coach, John Reeder, proved successful for both juniors and seniors. Club playing sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and Saturday afternoons had been well attended and it was nice to see some of the older juniors participating by invitation.

Club finances were healthy but with ever rising costs it was necessary to increase subscriptions by approximately five per cent.

Membership overall, including social, had increased again over the previous year with 151 (132) seniors and 115 (118) juniors.

Mike thanked the president, committee members and others who worked so diligently for the club with special thanks to outgoing committee members: Jill Liddell-Grainger, secretary; Sheena Chapman, membership; Peter Jones, treasurer; and Rod Watson, social — for all they had done over the last few years and welcomed respectively the duly elected replacements, Richard Read, Olga Rogers, Rod Watson and Viv Iles.

There was a vote of thanks from the floor to Mike for all that he does.

Mike gave an update on progress of the development of the club and the position on the lottery application to convert the grass area to all-weather courts with floodlights, and improvements to the changing facilities. Officers of the club reported on the various activities in detail.

The new subscriptions as from April 1 for 2000/2001 are as follows: full senior member £68, limited members £47, senior/junior and student member £21. Senior member entrance fee to the club £34. Visitor fees: senior £1.50 per session and temporary members £5 (one week); junior 75p per session and temporary member £2.5 (one week).

Payment of fees before April 1 to be at last year's rates. Subscriptions will be discounted by 10 per cent for each close member of a family where there is more than one member of the club.

Like last year, to maintain competitive tennis through the winter, 'ladder' tournaments are being run, both singles and doubles.

Anyone wishing to join the club, or play as a visitor, contact Mike on 01822 614178 or Olga on 01822 854162.