Chairman's Blog June 2019
ALL ENGLAND CLUB GROUND, GRAND DRIVE
This sports ground, which is bounded by Grand Drive, Cannon Hill Lane, Elm Walk, and Southway is being used by the All England Club for its Junior Tennis Initiative, and for general Community use.
The ground already has a bubble housing indoor courts, and also has grass and hard courts, all of which the public can use when they are not required for training or the Wimbledon Fortnight.
In October last year the Club received planning permission to provide another air dome (housing 3 acrylic courts) situated behind the present one, 16 new grass courts, and a new pavilion and a maintenance building.
The Club is now about to start the construction works, and held a drop in session for local residents to discuss their proposals in April.
We were told that the work will commence with the delivery of the specialised soil (loam) for the 16 grass courts, which will be of Championship standard. The first delivery for 4 courts was due in May, and others will be phased in between October 2019 and January 2020. The lorries will use the existing northern access point off Grand Drive.
In June work is expected to start on drainage improvements, the acrylic courts in the new air dome, and the seeding of the grass courts.
The planning permission so far granted did not extend to the details of the maintenance building, which was treated as a reserved matter. The intention is to submit a further application setting out its appearance, maximum footprint, height, and access.
One of our residents in Grand Drive has already expressed concern about extended parking behind her house, and what appears to be a vehicular exit near the end of Southway.
Any queries about what is happening can be directed to the Community Manager of the Ground at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
OPEN MEETING
We are holding an Open Meeting at 7.30pm on Wednesday 12th June at Blossom House School in Motspur Park. Do come and meet other members, as well as members of the Committee, and we can discuss any local issues that are concerning you.
There will be light refreshments afterwards. Do come.
ADVERTISING IN THE GUIDE
As you are probably aware, apart from membership subscriptions (which have been held at £3 for many years), and apart also from the revenue that hire of the Residents’ Pavilion brings in, the Association is funded from advertisements in The Guide.
Dick Coleman, our Advertising Manager, is keen to increase our advertising revenue by attracting potential clients, and would like your help in doing so.
For example, if you, or one of your neighbours, is having work done at home by a local tradesman, why not suggest that they advertise in The Guide? Or perhaps one of your neighbours runs a local business and might be interested? Members and non-members are equally welcome! If you can, try and get a contact number & an e-mail address, and let Dick know - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We currently distribute some 2000 copies of The Guide each month, and our range of adverts stretches from economical “small ads” to more effective display spaces. And we don’t even charge VAT! Full details are on our website at www.rpwbresidents.org.uk/advertising
John Elvidge
