Dear Members


As you are all aware by now, COVID-19, better known as Coronavirus, has quickly become a Global Pandemic. The Government has advised that people do not attend Clubs like ours at this time. 

Both myself and the Executive Committee have met tonight to discuss what action the club will take from this Saturday, 21st March.

I can confirm that all aspects of the club will close for a period of four weeks.

For how much I love squash, I wanted to pro-long members being able to play for as long as possible. However in this case, I believe the socially responsible and morally correct action to take is to look past our love for the sport and do what is best for everyone. By this, I mean that should circumstances worsen and the club not close, would we look back and regret that decision knowing that we didn't do our part to help protect our members? I think we can all agree that we would want to look back and say we did the right thing.

Everything considered, most of us are very low risk. However, it is the health of family and friends that are vulnerable that we need to consider.

Thank you for your cooperation. I will notify you of any updates when they are available.

I already look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Kind Regards
Marcus

March leagues attached to be played by Tuesday 31st March.

Welcome to Neil Smith and Matt Larkman who have joined; time will tell if I’ve inserted them in the correct leagues!

Finding space for Neil and Matt coupled with a number of withdrawals due to injury has led to a major reshuffle of the bottom half of the leagues.  Apologies that this has meant some of you have not moved up a league but you can resolve that by winning your league in March.

Excluding injured players 78% of games were played in February.  With all leagues in March containing a maximum of 4 fit players I would like to think everyone can fit in 3 league games this month.

Mossy

February leagues attached - to be played by Friday 28th February. 
 
Welcome to Adam Wood, Elliott Wood and Robbie Leggett who join the leagues for the first time and welcome back to the leagues to Simon Richardson.
 
We’re now up to 14 leagues (59 players) a new record on my watch!!
 
82% of games were played in February.
 
Mossy

Play by 31st Jan.

Christmas Opening

The club will be open on Monday 23rd December and then closed until reopening on Thursday 2nd January.

However, Graham Horgan has kindly offered to open the club, and more importantly the bar, on Friday 27th December from for a few hours until around 7.30pm.  Please let Graham and myself know if you would like to play on Friday 27th as we need at least 10 interested players to make it worth opening up for.

Other than that if you have your own key you can obviously play as and when, although I cannot confirm if there will be hot showers.
 
Leagues

Reminder this month’s league games to be completed by Friday 3rd January so you have eight nights remaining when the club will be open.

If you are not currently in the leagues but wish to enter please let me know.
 
Team Squash

Both 1st and 2nd team won home games 4-1 this week in the last team games until the New Year.
 
Handicap Competition

Today is last day for second round.  I know there’s a couple of contests at 5pm and 6.20pm tonight which could be interesting viewing.

Quarter finals to be played by 10th January so please arrange a date for your match before Christmas to ensure you adhere to this deadline.
 
Coaching

If you would like some coaching please let me know and I’ll try to find a convenient time in the New Year.  Alternatively come along on a Thursday evening from 7pm and join the ‘round robin’ which will give you the opportunity to play different players.
 
Club Kit

Has been ordered .  As soon as I know expected delivery date I will let people know.
 
Mossy

From Chris Steer, committee member:

Thanks, to the members who helped draw out the names.
 
We need to keep to the timelines supplied below for each round and try and get ahead if at all possible. Two games by the 22nd Nov isn’t asking a lot.
 
Any injuries that will stop you playing your game by the required date please let me know and we can discuss.
 
The draw is below and I will pin this up next week at the club. Rules are further down, there are quite a few new members so if you are unsure how the handicap works , here is an example:
 
In the game between Jimmy Hart and Simon Gray, Jimmy will start on 0 and Simon will start on -6 (minus 6).
 
Rules are below the draw. The best way to pay the subs will be to give your £2 to Sam behind the bar.
 
Rules
1 Point a rally scoring.
2 Weaker player serves first in each game.  If same handicap toss a coin and whoever wins    the toss serves first each game
3 First to 15 straight (no need to win by 2 clear)
4 Stronger player starts on minus difference between the two handicaps
5 Best of three games
6 Entry Fee £2.00 to cover cost of trophies
7 Subs must be paid to be eligible to enter

With another 5 joining the leagues I have added another league which has resulted in another reshuffling of the pack. 
 
I am pleased to report 84% of games were played last month and there were many close matches with a quarter ending up 2-2 or 3-2.
 
As usual please try to play all league games to ensure that the leagues are decided on merit.  Most leagues you only have to fit 3 league games in over 4 weeks so that should be easy enough!
 
Finally, reminder if you have not already entered the Handicap let Chris Steer know you want to enter as the draw will be next Friday after the Super Vets final between Nigel Wilson and Tony Rumbold.  There is also still time to sign up for food for finals night next Friday.  Sheet at the bar on drop me an email.

​Last summer we ended on 107 points for and 118 against.  This summer was uncannily similar with 111 points for and 128 against; 7 wins and 9 defeats.  

Whilst we have finished the season there are a few matches still not entered/played so I’m not sure if we will end up 3rd as we currently stand.

​Latest league is below:

Thanks to all 10 of you for turning out and trying your best.

Finances:
Match fees       £585.00 (including £35 outstanding no names mentioned!)
Expenses          £594.80
Deficit              £9.80
League Fee       £30.00
Deficit              £39.80

- Mossy

Subs
Subs for 2019-20 are £120 for adult membership, £80 for students over 18 and £140 for family membership (2 adults + 2 children; additional children £10 each).  Payment can be made by cash, cheque or card at the bar or alternatively by direct debit.  Subs form a large part of the clubs income and therefore please make every effort to pay by the end of this month. I attach membership form and there are plenty in the bar.  These need completing for all members, new and renewing.

Club Championships
Friday saw the final of the Club Championship with Owen Ledger taking on Jay Ledger.  A good crowd of around 25 saw some excellent squash with Owen taking a tight first game 15-12. Owen then proceeded to take the next two games 15-7 and 15-8 to retain the Championship.  Well played Owen!  Thanks to Marcus for marking and more importantly to Sam for sorting the sausages when inclement weather scuppered the BBQ plans.

Club Night - Friday 4th October
Next club night will be Friday 4th October when we aim to host the final of ‘B’ Championship and Over 55s final.  Get the date in your diary, further details will follow.

Team Squash
3 fixtures remain in the summer league and currently we are played 15 won 7 lost 8.  Our last 8 matches have been 2-1 either way reflecting the close nature of the league.
If anyone who has not played Team squash for Biggleswade is interested in playing team squash going forward please let me know and we can have a chat about it.

Maintenance - September 21st to September 28th
As a members’ club we rely largely on voluntary efforts to keep the club operating smoothly.  September 21st to September 28th we will be looking to carry out maintenance on courts and also changing/toilet facilities.  Further details will follow but if everyone can volunteer a couple of hours it would help.

World Squash Day - Saturday 12th October
Saturday 12th October is World Squash Day and we will be opening the club up to try to encourage people to take up squash.  Plans are still to be finalised but we will need members to help on the day so please put the date in your diary.

Handicap competition
Details for the Handicap competition will appear in the next month or so.  For all members who have not participated in this competition before it is highly recommended as offers an opportunity to play other members you don’t normally play against.

Online booking
Final trials of the online booking system are taking place. Further details will be announced in due course with Go Live imminent!