Newsletter : April 2023

AGM 2023

The 2023 Club AGM was held on 22nd March 23 and it was very well attended this year.  Highlights include: new officers were approved, which included a new President Nigel Lewis and new Membership Secretary Oli Parry.  Tributes were paid to both Ian Johnston and Andy Batty for their contributions to the club during their tenure. 

Some new Vice Presidents were voted in, and Life Members approved.  It was noted that Peter Vickers' name was omitted from the Annual Report due to printer error.  New Articles of Association were approved that will make club management smoother, but crucially will permit a hybrid AGM from next year.

Geoff Walton being presented the Endeavour Shield by Ian Johnston

Focus on…..Richard Palmer, Secretary

Richard grew up in Wirral, playing various sports including tennis and squash, went to Sheffield Uni to study Law and then to LPC in Chester.  He is currently a Solicitor specialising in insolvency matters and a Partner at Horwich Farrelly.

In 2012 he moved from Liverpool to Manchester (through work), joining Brooklands for the cricket in 2014 "as had always found Brooklands to be a good set of lads". He met his wife Lynsey (she played hockey for Brooklands from 2018-2022) and they married in 2018.  They now have 2 children - Isobel (turned 3 in January), who loves going to the club and says she wants to play tennis when older and Finn (born February 2023) who will of course captain the first team in at least one of the Brooklands sports in the future.

His first cricket match against Brooklands was in 2005 on the back pitch and was a memorable occasion. Dave Garnett got him out and Brooklands' winning runs were hit off his bowling.  Once playing for Brooklands, he played second XI cricket from 2014 to 2018 as a batsman (no hundreds) but did once take 3/17 against Sale for the first XI in 2015.  Then ruptured his achilles 2 weeks later!  Since 2019 he has played Sunday cricket, mostly as wicketkeeper batsman. 

Richard also played hockey for the Mens 5s between 2017 and 2022, which all went downhill after his hat-trick on debut.

Richard has been Club Secretary since 2021 and his responsibilities also include insurance and legal matters. It’s been a busy 2 years with fixing the bar licence, an EGM/the lease, new Articles and club processes.  He is usually spotted at the club on Saturday afternoons in summer with a pint of Heineken Silver in hand and Isobel sort of understanding what the cricket boundary is. Always happy to discuss any club issues with members: if Isobel lets him!

Membership

The collection of subs for summer sports and social membership will start on 1st May. Andy Batty will be handing over to Oli Parry, so please do take this into consideration if you need to email for any reason. 

Grounds

Work on the floodlights is progressing with repairs completed to the tennis courts and repairs on-going on the bowls green. For the bowls we are now looking at upgrading to an LED system, though due to financial constraints, this will be done as and when lights fail.

Preparation for the fine grass surfaces is on-going. The squares are looking in good condition so hopefully good wickets will follow. The bowling green is in need of some TLC following a disastrous moss killer application immediately followed by snow left areas of grass dead. However Paul and Mike are working hard to get things right as soon as possible. We can only apologise to the bowlers and ask that you work with us on this.

The refurbishment of tennis courts 10 to 13 is almost complete so soon we will have a full compliment of astro-tennis courts available.

We are looking at various methods of watering the fine grass areas as we continue to try and improve all our playing surfaces.

Brooklands Sports Club Website

The past few months have seen work happening on the website.  The public facing site has been revamped, making navigation around the site easier, and the information more concise.  The images will continue to change over the coming months as the summer sports come into action and new photos are taken.  Quite a lot of the information has been moved to the members only area of the website.  To access this, you will need either your membership number, or the email address you used when you registered.  You will also need the PIN number you were sent by email.  The plan is to develop this area of the website, so it would be great if you could try to dig out your PIN number and have a go at logging on.  If you really can’t find it, please contact your section Membership Secretary in the first instance. 

Feedback on the new website would be much appreciated.  Contact comms@brooklandssportsclub.co.uk

Health & Safety

As we enter the summer season please can everyone be aware that when cricket is being played on the squares there is the danger of balls being hit over the boundaries onto paths, tennis courts, astro pitch, bowling green and the patio area.  Please be aware, don't stand with your back to the field and do listen out for calls.

Please can the cricketers ensure as much verbal warning as possible be given in this event.

Section News

Cricket:

The senior league season starts 22 April running to 16 September.  The First XI stayed up in Premier League and their first match is at home to Widnes.  The second XI have been promoted to their Prem; first time since 2005.  The third XI play home matches on back pitch on Saturdays. The fourth XI play on Sundays; league from 7 May.  There is an over 40s T20s on Wednesday evenings from 3 May, along with lots of junior sides who will be playing matches.

Fixtures can be found here 

Hockey:

The Mens 3s (see photo) won promotion back to NW Premier League. They will be one of only two 3rd teams playing in their highest possible league in the country next season 

The Boys U12 won the Cheshire U12 In2Hockey Tournament. They now play in the North West tournament in April

Boys U16s qualified from the North Supra League & will now play in the National Supra League Finals in Nottingham on April 22nd/23rd

Bowls:

We are now at the start of the 2023 bowls season and it would be a very good time for anyone interested in trying bowls to give it a go.  Please remember that if you are a member of one of the other sections there is no extra cost involved.  Coaching can be provided free for beginners and we have bowls equipment for this purpose.

We have 7 teams playing in various local leagues, some play in the afternoons and others in the evenings.  Most teams allow both men and ladies to play apart from 2 of the teams which are for ladies only.  We always welcome anyone who enjoys a bit of competition to try their luck in one or more of the teams.  As we have such a choice of teams and playing times, you can be flexible as to how much time you want to commit.  There are also club competitions to take part in once you fancy your chances against other club members.

Our social events include monthly pairs friendly competitions on Sunday afternoons played in the form of a Round Robin to which everyone is welcome.  There is also an annual away‑day to another green to play a social bowls Round Robin with food and drink included.  Our Presentation Evening dinner and dance takes place in the winter months and always proves popular.

Everyone is welcome to give bowls a try and you never know you might get the bug and become addicted.  If you are interested, please contact any of the following Bowls members:

Ian Thompson, Chairman, tel. 07814810320, email ian.thompson51@ntlworld.com

Andy Lowe, Secretary, tel. 07813830935, email asklowey@gmail.com

Julie Thompson, Competition and Events Committee, tel. 07980930784, email julie.thompson0105@gmail.com

Tennis:

The tennis section has been running a fundraising campaign (going extremely well - thanks to everyone for their support) and still have a few rewards that can be purchased, including a half-term of junior group coaching.  See the crowdfunding site for further information.

The summer tennis leagues start very soon, with 4 men's teams, 2 ladies' teams, and lots of junior teams entered across North East Cheshire and South West Manchester leagues.

Squash:

As we approach the end of the squash season, we are delighted that Brooklands Squash 1st team captained by James Wooderson are NWCSL Division 3 Central South Champions gaining promotion into the NWCSL Division 2.  They will be competing in the end of season play-offs to try and become overall Division 3 Champions. If they make the final, they will be playing along side other divisional finalists at the PSA Manchester Open on the 21st May. All the Brooklands teams have performed extremely well consolidating their positions.

The newly installed squash court heating and lighting is working well and has had a significant impact on playing conditions.

The Racket Ball tournament is taking place with both the main and plate finals being played on the 6th April.

We are delighted to announce that on the 14th May Brooklands will be holding an Exhibition Match between Nick Wall (World top 30) and Finnlay Withington (World Junior Finalist and British Junior Champion). Along with the exhibition there will be a Junior Coaching Clinic, Play the Professional, Question and Answer session with the professionals, a raffle, food and team presentations.

Social/ Events

22nd April – A day of cricket and an evening of live music

Come down, watch the cricket, have a pizza and get seated for the evening as we welcome back Alana Rose. Alana has played at a few events for us now and is not one to be missed. First set will commence at 8pm.

19th May – Quiz Night organised by the tennis section

All are welcome, £20 per team (up to 4 per team), enter and pay through the crowdfunding site.

Health Club News:

A 3 month contract membership option is now available and all sports club members are entitled to discounts on health club memberships!

Easter opening hours: Sunday 9th and Monday 10th April from 10am to 6pm only

Events in April:

7th April = Bring a friend for free day (World Health Day)

7th & 10th April = Kids Easter Egg Hunt

23rd April = Try Before You Buy Day (Half price day pass to try before you sign up and get the joining fee wiped also!) 

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