Chairman’s Annual Dinner Speech 2015

I would like to start my Annual Report by saying a huge thank you to four ladies who are here this evening for their foresight in recognising the need for a tournament for lady veteran tennis players in Leicestershire. They are Jan Provis, Thelma Bull, Joyce Adams and Gill Thompson.

They are just four of the original committee members of seven who are able to be with us tonight. I am sure you didn’t ever think the organisation would become such an amazing success? From a very small beginning we have grown to become one of the largest veteran ladies tennis organisations with over 250 members. Jan, Thelma, Joyce, Gill, please take a bow ladies and let us salute you.

The Committee continues to work very hard on your behalf and I would personally like to thank everyone for their continued support and the efficient way in which they all contribute to making the LVLTA so successful. Lynn Norwood and Cheryl Arlott continue to organise the Winter Tournament in which over 250 members play. Mary Vesty oversees the Summer Supervets and Mary Jarvis looks after our Finances.

Cheryl has been instrumental in getting the website up and running so we can all be kept informed of what is happening within the organisation. This year we were delighted that Liz Harris agreed to join us to become Honorary Secretary. Sandra Middleditch continues to be our Honorary Photographer and she will be on her feet soon to cover the presentation of prizes.

This is my last AGM as Chairman as I am retiring from the Committee and Anne Lucas will be taking over from me? I know that Anne will make a very efficient Chairman and I hope you will all join with me in voting her into that position shortly.

I hope that you have all filled in the slips you were given on your arrival to nominate your favourite charity, as once again we are able donate two £250 cheques. The draw will take place later in the meeting.

You have all received a pen this evening as a momento of our Anniversary. Would you please see Liz later who will give you pens for those members of your club, not present this evening, who have also played in the tournament this year. You were also given a questionnaire about LVLTA clothing. Do please fill them in and Liz will collect them later.

Finally I would like to thank all the staff at Devonshire Place for their support in the organisation of this event.

Wendy England

Chairman’s Annual Dinner Speech 2014

Welcome to Devonshire Place once again for the 24th AGM.  I hope you have enjoyed your meal and we will endeavour to get through the business of the AGM so we can get on with the main event of the evening.

The Committee continue to work hard on your behalf.  Anne Lucas has joined us this year and I know she will be a very efficient member of the Committee.

Once again we have had a good entry for the winter tournament, over 250 ladies playing during the winter months.  Lynn continues as Tournament Director,  joined this year by Cheryl who has taken on responsibility for half the divisions.  I am sure you will all agree that this has worked well.  Tournament Director is a big job and we are very grateful to Lynn and Cheryl for so ably managing the organisation of the groups.

Mary Vesty continues to organise the Super Vets Tournament, played during the summer which Mary does most ably.

Mary Jarvis remains as Treasurer looking after the finances of the organisation and has once again agreed that we can give £500 to charity.  The Committee decided to donate £250 to 2 charities and we will make the draw for those charities at the end of the AGM.

This year has seen the introduction of LVLTA.com.  We are hugely grateful to Cheryl for the efficient way in which she has organised this and I know she would like to say a few words about it in AOB.

On a sad note I have to inform you that Pat Walne has resigned from the Committee.  Pat has worked tirelessly over the years for LVLTA taking over as Tournament Director in difficult circumstances.  We have benefited from her hard work and experience.  Again I stress that we would welcome new members onto the Committee as we must move forward to continue to thrive with fresh ideas.  Please speak to one of us if you are interested in joining a lively Committee dedicated to promoting Ladies Veterans Tennis in Leicestershire.

Finally, my thanks to the staff at Devonshire Place and Carly, in particular, for their support in the organisation of this event.

Wendy England
Chairman

Chairman’s Annual Dinner Speech 2013

This year the Committee was pleased to welcome a new member.  Cheryl Arlott has joined us and will be responsible for the website.  We were very sorry when Sally Yarnell resigned because of family illness and we send Sally all our love and very best wishes at a difficult time.

Once again we had a very good entry for a winter tournament and I do hope you have all enjoyed your matches in spite of the awful weather.  As you all know, Lynn Norwood has taken over from Pat Walne as Tournament Director and I’m sure you’ll agree that she has done a superb job.

Unfortunately we were not able to organise a day tournament mainly because the Committee Members are already working hard on your behalf.  We do need someone who could take on the role of Day Tournament Organiser.

This year the Committee decided to donate money to charity and you were asked to nominate your favourite charity.  The majority voted for Loros and so £750 will be sent to them.  However, some of you put forward smaller charities and we felt it would be a good idea to have a draw for one of these to receive £250.  We will have this draw at the end
of the AGM.

Finally I would like to thank my fellow Committee Members for their continued support of me in my role as Chairman.  I feel it is very important that we do try and get new Committee Members, as for any organisation to thrive and move forward it needs fresh ideas, none more so than the LVLTA.  So if anyone is vaguely interested in how the organisation works, please do come and have a chat.  Meeting places and times can be altered to suit anyone.

Once again my thanks to Nicola and Carly for their help to me whilst organising this event.

WENDY ENGLAND
Chairman