NEWSLETTER NOV 2021
Now things are getting back towards normal I thought it might be worth resurrecting the Newsletter. Although I try and keep everyone up to date on Facebook I know you don’t all follow social media. Those of you who do check out Facebook will obviously notice a lot of repetition. I’m hoping to send out a newsletter every quarter.
DON BLATCHFORD RIP 1924-2021
Although not that many of our current players knew him Don Blatchford, who died last month at the age of 97, played an important part in the establishment of this club. It was down to him with the help of Dennis Gibbs that table tennis was re-established in Newton Abbot in the 1990s at Dyrons leisure centre. Although Don had handed over the reigns by the time we needed to establish a constituted club it was his influences on those around him that drove the club forward and ultimately set up Newton Abbot TTC at Teign School. The Don Blatchford Junior Cup was introduced 6 years ago as a fitting reminder of this amazing man. Those who knew him will remember him fondly.
SOUTH DEVON AND TORBAY TABLE TENNIS LEAGUE.
Amazingly while most clubs and teams have been struggling to put together league sides we have been able to increase our teams to 14 with 61 league players registered. As well as our committed regulars we welcome a number of players joining us from other clubs and a handful of players new to league table tennis.
Division One – Current champions NA Batmen are again led by Dennis Gibbs and will be the team to beat however they have already lost one match to Sonja Ryland’s NA Buzzards. David Davies leads NA Condors who include new imports Bob Parkins & Ed Thompson. Finally, in the first division, Jeremy Broad has introduced new blood from the Exeter League to help their challenge. Although only 2 weeks into the season all 4 Newton Abbot teams sit in the top 5.
Division Two – NA Falcons, this season led by Louis Wilshire, currently sit at the top of Division Two. Giles Tushingham is in charge of the NA Owls and they too have started well. We welcome both Paul Hine & Huw Darch who have joined Ed Moffatt’s Raptors.
Division Three – Disappointingly NA Hawks, although applying for Div 2, were placed in Div 3 by the League committee, however that makes them one of the favourites and they currently lead the table. Pete Sercombe leads the team of 5 which is unchanged from last season. Dale Fabian’s NA Kestrels also dropped down from Div 2 and should go well in the third. NA Ospreys have Rob Ferguson at the helm again and will want to establish themselves as a Division 3 side.
Division Four – Derek Stratton leads the Kites who were dropped to Div 4 by the league committee and will want to show the committee they got it wrong! Two players new to the club, Joe Holmes & Mike Wickens, have joined the Kites. Mike Halse leads NA Harriers, a team of players new to the league, and they have started well, particularly Keith Haslam, yet to be beaten. The NA Merlins are again led by David Olver who has a similar team to last time but strengthened with the inclusion of ‘new boy’ Nick Kitchen. Mark Heather has undertaken the dubious privilege of leading the NA Vultures, never easy as reserves are not available and he has to juggle his squad.
NA Kites & NA Vultures
Best of luck to all of you, and hope you enjoy your time representing the Club.
NEW CLUB KIT
Many thanks to Sonja Ryland, Albany Florists, who has joined forces with the club to provide free T shirts to all of you who have helped us through the difficulties of the last 18 months. If you have joined us for more than 4 club sessions since the onset of Covid please claim your free T shirt.
The new purple match shirt, which many of you have ordered, is in production and is also sponsored by Albany Florists to keep the cost down to just £8. Unfortunately, the larger sizes are currently out of stock and may not be available until the end of the month.
Please let us know if you would be interested in Club hoodies (likely to be £12-£15 if we can order 25)
NEWTON ABBOT TTC – National League
Much travelled Kevin Nicholls (NA Buzzards) who can be seen most weekends at National tournaments around the country has entered Newton Abbot teams in the Veterans British League and the Senior British League. These competitions take place over a weekend with several matches taking place during the weekend. At a recent Vets event in Derby our Newton Abbot team was unbeaten. Many thanks to Kevin and all those players who are representing Newton Abbot TTC and putting our club firmly on the TT map.
ANDY GUY
Congratulations to Andy Guy who recently collected a bronze medal on his international debut at the ITTF Costa Brava Spanish Para Open. A superb effort Andy, well done.
CLUB TOURNAMENTS
Congratulations to Dennis Gibbs and Henry Greet both winners of our club tournaments held just before the start of the season. Dennis Gibbs retaining the Singles Shield, Henry Greet winning the Albany Florists Cup.
CLUB SESSIONS
Just a reminder that our club sessions run alongside league matches on Friday nights 6:30 - 10:00pm, but with limited coaching opportunities as several coaches will be involved in matches (session fee £3 juniors and £5 adults). The Saturday morning session now runs from 9:30 – 11:30 (session fee £3 juniors and £4 adults). Tuesday evenings are for league matches only 6:30 – 10:00. Unfortunately, increases in hire charges will mean our session fees will not be reduced to the pre Covid levels.
TEIGN SCHOOL
With changes in staff at Teign School more emphasis is now going to be given to table tennis at the school and we are hoping to build a closer relationship with the school. With the new regime already buying two new tables and sorting out the lighting in the Sports Hall and the AMS things look promising.
NA BUZZARDS
Newsletters have traditionally ended with the latest Buzzard exploits which have been seriously curtailed due to Covid. However, in between lockdowns we did get a few days away in Portland (although our trip to Malta was cancelled). More recently we have had a few get togethers mainly at the skipper’s new flat, a 65th birthday celebration in Torquay and the dark side of Pink Floyd at Babbacombe.
