Chair’s Message
I am delighted to start today’s Recorder piece with a list of congratulatory messages.
Sports and Games
Congratulations to the Men’s Padel tennis team captained by Craig de Silva for winning the iPadel finals in Derby at the weekend. A very impressive performance and testament to how much Padel is improving and thriving at Roehampton Club. Click here for the report
Congratulations to the Bridge team captained by Malcolm Bricknell for winning the prestigious Duke of Devonshire Cup. Their opponents in the final were a team from the RAC who host this annual tournament. The competition is a series of knock-out bridge matches for invited teams of four from the premier London Clubs and Societies. It is played as a rubber bridge competition and only simple bidding systems and defensive carding methods are permitted. Click here for the report
Congratulations to Chris Bray for his number one UK ranking for live backgammon play which he has held for the last year. Since 2005 the Club has provided members with the facility to play backgammon, the oldest board game in the world. Chris and his wife, Gill, have run the section throughout those last eighteen years. Chris now writes a column for The Times every Friday and represents the UK in International tournaments. Gill runs the ever-popular teatime backgammon sessions every Thursday from 4pm to 6pm. Next Tuesday evening they are running an online course for complete beginners and those needing a refresher on the basics of the game – click here to sign up.
Club Café and Bistro
Congratulations to the team behind the new-look Club Café and Bistro which opened on Tuesday 14th March. Due to the very positive feedback I think it is safe to say you all approve of the new look and welcome back the much missed salad bar and other Club Café key features. Last Thursday saw the launch of the Bistro with a special evening menu designed by Executive Chef Lloyd Walker. To encourage you to book the bistro on Thursdays and Fridays we are offering a complimentary glass of fizz in March and continuing that offer through April. Chef changes the menu weekly to ensure a top-quality dining experience.
Click here to view this week’s Bistro menu
Pictures below from last Thursday Bistro evening …
Nominations for Directors
The notice for the Election of Directors from May 2023 went up on the noticeboards this week. There are four vacancies on the Board as Charles Shiplee, Martin Lock and myself are due to retire by rotation and are not eligible for re-election. Henrietta O’Shea, Finance Committee Chair, has completed her first term and I am delighted that she will seek re-election for a second three year term.
I would encourage Members to think about standing as a Club Director. If you have the experience, dedication and commitment, do speak to a current Board Director or the Chief Executive about what it entails. We have a Nominations Committee that seeks out Members with appropriate skills and the time to dedicate to the Club as part of our wish to continue the good governance model the Club pursues. You will be encouraged to talk to them if you would like to stand.
Environment Committee Report
Finally I would encourage you to read Committee Chair David Burditt’s piece on solar electricity generation at the Club and I would like to thank David for his massive contribution in this area. His dedication to this subject is a fine example of what a Board Director voluntarily contributes.