What a blessing we all love a game that is never affected by the weather! We book a court and play whatever the weather and enjoy 45-60 minutes of utter joy - or pain!

Well, we are now into another season having just celebrated our 50th Anniversary and my, did we celebrate the occasion!

We published a hardback record of our first fifty years,we ran a week-end "Festival of Squash" involving our club and four others and held a black tie dinner.

The book is called 'The Veterans Squash Club of Great Britain - 50 years on'. It consists of 72 pages listing all those who are or have been members, articles by members on various tours and occasions, lists of players' triumphs and a great deal more.

The Festival was held at the RAC, Woodcote Park over the week-end 2/3 November. The Clubs that took part were the RAC, Escorts, Jesters, the Army and our own. Each team consisted of three singles and four doubles players and all teams played against each other. It was a huge success and we were very grateful to be able to hold it in such a friendly venue. We have plans to make this an annual event - watch this space!

The dinner was held at the same venue and was attended by 119 members and their guests. Our guests were LT. Gen David Leakey (Black Rod), Felicity Burrell (wife of Colin who donated the 'Burrell' trophy), Margaret Baker and Raoul Berman. We were all treated to a delightful occasion. The Cedar Room was well decorated with 50th Anniversary balloons and the service we received was second to none. Judging by later comments, the evening was clearly very much enjoyed. We are grateful again to our RAC members who gave us an 'In' to the club.

So on to this season. I do urge members to volunteer to play in the' friendlies ' that are advertised in the handbook and please offer to run a match against your own local club and also do your best to recruit a new member. We are currently about 550 members but need to continually recruit more with particular emphasis in the O/45, O/50 and O/55 age group brackets.

I want to thank most sincerely our current Committee for all the work they do and particularly Nigel Belle for the outstanding effort he has put in over many years.

Now please - enjoy playing in our Tournament, attend the Finals Week-end over the 5/6th April and also the AGM on the 6th at Colets Club, Thames Ditton.

And finally, if you have not yet bought a book then please ask Nigel or me for one, - only £15 (or just £17.50 by post inc. p&p) and worth every penny! The book also features some very attractive squash-related original cartoons that are very amusing. We have 10 of them, mounted and framed, which are for sale at £75 each.

I hope you have an injury- free season!

John Woodliffe