Did we play our cards right?
Greg Rhodes • 5 September 2018
We were royally flushed to entertain Manchester Bridge Club (MBC) recently after the announcement that their nearby home has been acquired by Christie Hospital.
“We’re looking around for a new home to relocate to at the end of this year,” explains MBC joint organiser Jeff Morris, “and visited Fallowfield to see the clubhouse provision.”
Its Palatine Road premises had been the bridge club’s base since formation 40 years ago. “Sad to have to leave,” says Jeff, “but we need to find a new HQ as we have 250 members, who meet Mondays to Thursdays. We also have just started beginners lessons.
“We certainly liked what we saw at Fallowfield,” adds Jeff. Our newly refreshed clubhouse has the space and the tables to accommodate as many teams as a card club like MBC – ranked in the country’s top 50 - can deal us.
We look forward to welcoming Manchester Bridge Club again soon when, of course, we’ll expect a full house for their next meet-up here.
Let’s hope they put their cards on the table and make Fallowfield their new home.
Find out more about learning to play bridge at www.manchesterbridge.co.uk
Lancashire Tennis President Lisa Cartwright is on a mission to engage with as many LTA affiliated clubs in her region as she can. “We haven’t been out there as much as we could have been and I want to change that,” states Lisa, who moved into post last December. Social media is a key platform of her strategy adds Lisa, who enjoys one of the finest records of tennis achievement in the region. “I played for Great Britain U18s,” explains the 47-year-old, “and believe I hold the record for most ladies singles, doubles and mixed titles in Lancashire. After a 16-year playing career that began when she was 14, Lisa, who plays at Hawkshaw Tennis Club, Bury, moved into coaching and now plans to put some of her tennis experience to good use. “I’m happy to support Lancashire LTA clubs at events and activities, particularly those trying to attract recreational players to their ranks,” she says. “Tennis is not all about the elite end and the LTA runs national campaigns, such as park tennis, to encourage everybody to take up the game,” she adds. There’s a danger that juniors who may not have the ability to make it to county standard lose interest and move away from tennis but clubs need to find ways to hold their interest.”
Fallowfield Ladies B face a tough challenge as they move into the second half of the season, bidding to bounce back up into Division 1 of the South West Manchester Lawn Tennis League. Six wins and a draw to the good, mostly played at home, the six-strong team rest second behind pacesetters Urmston A, whom they triumphed over at Fallowfield earlier in the season but who exacted revenge in the return fixture in late June. “Summertime always presents problems, with regular team members away on holiday,” says Vice Captain Jac Murray, “and we also have to play most of our remaining matches away. We’re still confident though we can make a quick return to the top tier after last season’s disappointment.” Fallowfield also runs the Ladies A, in Division One, and the Men’s A in Division 4 of the South West Manchester Lawn Tennis League. Come along to Fallowfield any Thursday until the middle of August to see one or both of them in action on the club’s county standard sand-filled synthetic grass courts.
Fluctuating fortunes are turning a flying start for Fallowfield Men’s A team into mid-table malaise. Three straight wins launched their 2019 campaign in the South West Manchester Lawn Tennis League Division 4 with a bullet but a couple of hard fought defeats have turned the tables. “Two of our losses were very close with only one set the difference,” says Team Captain Mario Bortolozzo, “so we were a bit unlucky there.” Four wins from eight and a mid-table position mid-season may be disappointing after such a bright start but there’s plenty to be positive about, Mario adds. “Most pleasing is that we have been able to field a full team every fixture. Our strong student following has helped on that front. “Sadly, the pool of talent from that source is likely to drain with summer holidays upon us and we’ll have to dig deep into the reserves to maintain momentum. The next few weeks will be the real test,” he continues, “as our regular players take a break. “One or two additions to our squad would be most welcome. If you fancy some competitive tennis, give me a call.” Wimbledon fortnight usually attracts newbies and rusty rackets “keen to have a bash”, Mario says, to give the second stretch of the season a boost in participation hopefully. “The weather’s been kind so far and we’ve not had to postpone any matches yet. I can’t see us gaining promotion but you never know.”
Fallowfield’s tennis hub is tightening ties with Manchester’s massive student community. The Bowling and Lawn Tennis Club is already working closely with the University of Manchester to develop recreational tennis at our Wellington Road HQ. The newly appointed Student Liaison Officer (SLO) for the next academic year reinforces the Club’s connections with the huge student catchment. “UoM’s tie-up with Fallowfield is working really well and confirms the level of demand for tennis among students,” says Dominick Thompson, the club’s retiring SLO. Commenting at the end of the second year’s recreational tennis deal, he adds: “Next year looks like being every bit as popular for UoM students as this one has been and I’m delighted to be able to hand over the reins to my colleague Charlie Harrison to continue the strong links between club and university.” Charlie says: “I’m really excited to continue the good work done by the committee last year, because we had such a good turnout. Playing tennis has been an important part of my personal university experience, so I’m determined to build on the success of the university’s social tennis and improve it for next year.” Pictured: Charlie Harrison, UoM social tennis student liaison officer, left, and Nick Threadgold, UoM social tennis treasurer
Manchester Bridge Club teams up with Fallowfield Bowling & Lawn Tennis Club to rent clubhouse facilities for its new base.
A season of improvements to the clubhouse has left it looking ready for business. The bar has been transformed with bright new décor and striking furniture, while the lounge now sports smart beige leather chairs to set off crisp white walls. Our spacious events room has received a makeover too – ready for the programme of activities the events committee is assembling for the coming year. We’re now well connected. Free Wi-Fi available throughout the clubhouse gives members and guests the freedom to go online whenever they wish. Planning a party, birthday bash or group meeting? Call us and come in to take a look around.
Fallowfield first-timer Stephen is certain to return if his reaction after his recent floodlit match at the club is any gauge. “These are the best courts I’ve played in a long time,” was his verdict following a tough three-setter against a Fallowfield member. Our floodlighting adds extra hours of court time, giving players the flexibility they need to squeeze in a league game after work. And it seems we’ll be seeing Stephen return before too long. “I’ll certainly be coming back here to play again,” he confirms. “I didn’t even know there was a tennis club here.” So spread the word and bring your friends.
Fallowfield is a club keen to preserve its LTA affiliation status. That’s why we’ve been busy completing pre-qualification procedures the tennis governing body requires by 1 October to ensure we continue to comply with its terms and conditions. Heading up the process has been club tennis liaison member David Neesham, who recently attended the LTA’s familiarisation course to alert him to requirements such as risk assessments for the courts, clubhouse and those who work at the Fallowfield hub. “The recently introduced GDPR data protection measures are part and parcel of our pre-qualification to ensure we handle member information properly and professionally,” explains David. “So too is meeting conditions for the club to continue to act as a venue for staging sports and other events. I’m delighted to confirm that everything is in place in time for the LTA deadline.”
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Providing premier standard playing surfaces depends on maintaining them regularly. Ours are some of the finest in the region. All weather, resilient, sand-dressed synthetic turf courts that can withstand intensive use all year round. But to keep them that way, we call in specialist contractors who know all about how to refresh and rejuvenate these types of court. As a Lawn Tennis Association registered club, we care about delivering true, safe surfaces to governing guidelines so ensure they are fit for purpose for members and guests of all ages. After removing surface debris, leaves and litter from the courts, our contractor decompacts the carpet, injecting compressed air into the pile to extract any contaminated infill. They follow that with straightening and cleaning the carpet fibres (made of polypropylene) by untangling them and restoring them to stand vertical. They reglue any snags, tears or rips they spot in the carpet then refill the surface with fresh, clean sports grade sand infill to the original specification. Those processes restore our playing surfaces to `good as new` appearance, performance and drainage. Our contractor tells us that the overhaul can extend the life of the playing surface by five years, and that keeps costly court replacement at bay. In turn that allows us to pass on the benefit to you by delivering premier provision at affordable prices. Come and have a look and try them out for yourself next time you’re near. CLICK HERE TO BOOK A COURT
