The AGM produced one of the very rare occasions where there were two nominations for one committee position, where members voted for the position of Membership Secretary. It was also necessary to consider the appointment of trustees, with the need once more to apply for finance in the way of loans. 

Entries into the Essex League were increased, by reinstating a Mens 3 team and entering a Ladies veterans team. Additional Mens and Ladies teams were also entered in the Essex Cup. 

Halmos had been chosen to provide the new courts, however there was a hitch in the proceedings as it became apparent that the Club had to obtain planning permission to move the tennis fences the nine feet required to suit the LTA requirements. This delayed the replacement from the winter, when there would have been very little disruption. The LTA approved a loan of £40000, over ten years interest free, to finance the replacement and following the planning approval the contractors started work in April. Work already carried out by members on working parties resulted in a renegotiated price of £76000 for the installation. 

Work by Members enabled a renegotiated price

The courts were eventually completed in July. Installed with the side runs and runbacks to the LTA recommendations, paved areas for seating and with low level netting the new look courts totally transformed the playing conditions. The new acrylic courts were accepted on Saturday 20^th July. The next morning, Sunday fixed fours, which have been part of club play for years, were playing on them. 

The RAC was proving to be a good stepping stone to full membership with many players reaching the required standard each year. There were also people wishing to join with the result that the RAC membership limit was increased to 40. Along with the attraction of the new courts and an advertising campaign the membership grew to 108 Full Playing, 40 RAC, 9 Student, 16 Intermediates and 30 Midweek. 

Just in time for the winter period, the Club received the agreement for the extension of floodlight hours for up to 9.30pm Monday to Saturday evenings. Initially two sessions were agreed, 6.30 to 8.00pm and 8.00 to 9.30pm.

Members on acrylic courts the next morning

The year was successful in all respects. There were good results from both Essex and Romford & District teams, a most successful year for bar profits, an excess of 200 members in the 200 group and a full and very well attended social calendar, culminating in the Dinner Dance which was held at The Cranleigh Banqueting Suite in Hornchurch.

1992

The Committee started the year with a new Secretary and an additional post of Minuting Secretary. For the second year running there was a member’s vote, this time to choose the role of Publicity Officer. 

The Club’s Diamond Jubilee year celebrations were planned. A grand raffle was started in May with tickets sold throughout the summer period. August saw the Diamond Jubilee celebration with a tournament followed by a cheese and wine evening where former members were invited. A Jubilee cake was made for the occasion. 

With an influx of new members to the main section there became the increasing desire to play in teams. To solve this need a Mens 4 and Ladies Singles team were entered in the Essex League and a Ladies team entered in the Romford & District League. 

Another attempt to produce a newsletter was made, initially suggested as ‘Tennis Tatler’, the new publication was produced in March titled ‘Net-Cord News’. 

What was previously known as the summer fete, went ahead as the ‘Family Fun Day’. In spite of an appallingly wet day a profit of approximately £600 was made.

Diamond Jubilee cake

1993

The post of Chairman became a committee position in its own right to be voted for at the AGM, previously being selected from within the Committee at their first meeting. 

An additional Ladies veterans team was entered in the Essex League. 


Members were given the opportunity to purchase sweatshirts and polo shirts embroidered with the new Club logo which was produced in the new colours of light and dark green and purple. This proved a popular idea with the first order for 80 items. The change of the logo and colours, which were previously orange and black, were an attempt to update the Club’s image.

There have been a few strange ideas proposed over the years. One that the Committee decided did not warrant further discussion was the request to install a ‘Steam and Health Spa Studio’ in the form of a log cabin style building at the rear of the pavilion. 

Improvement of the clubhouse, including plans for an extension, was started with the installation of a sports/dance quality floor in the main hall. This was implemented in order to improve revenue earnings and soon attracted interest for use as an aerobics venue. The planning approval for the extension however was not immediately forthcoming, therefore delaying any planned start this year. The funding for some of these improvements came from a brewery loan of £18000. 

The annual ratings tournament was run for the eighth and final year under the sponsorship of Volkswagon, the only continuous support of the event, from 1985, being The Travel Club of Upminster.