From: The Racketeer 64, January 2007
WHO'S WHO AT MAPPERLEY PARK TENNIS CLUB
Chris Weir - Hon. Secretary
by Anita Jones
A SECRETARY'S JOB is not all shorthand and typing. I met with Chris Weir, secretary at MPTC on a cold and frosty club night to find out more about the man who 'takes the minutes'...
Although he played tennis as a teenager at Attenborough, Chris's interest in the game waned until his two young children took up the sport, attending junior coaching at MPTC.
Not always having anyone to hit with, the children persuaded their dad to dust down his (wooden) racquet and start playing again.
The year was 1990 and Chris was soon a regular attendee at club nights and joining the likes of Vince Selke, Paul Hacking and Malcolm Turner in the (now legendary) men's B team.
Was it this terrible trio who, in 1996, took Chris out for a tipple or two in Nottingham and 'persuaded' him to take on the role of secretary? His memory of the participants and events of that evening is somewhat sketchy but, being a man of his word, Chris honoured the commitment he apparently made that night and has continued in the role of secretary to this day.
Chris undertakes many administrative duties - dealing with club correspondence and working closely with Cynthia and Vince on a whole range of club matters. Documenting and distributing the minutes of the regular committee meetings is no small task particularly, with Andy 'hawk-eye' Lusis scrutinising them for even the smallest error. Not content with the paperwork, he's quite happy to get his hands dirty on odd jobs in the club house and grounds.
As a regular Wednesday night player, Chris has seen many members come and go but feels enthused by the increased junior activity the club has enjoyed over the last few years - something which he feels is key to the long term success of MPTC.
Aside from tennis, he has a passion for local history and his written several books. His latest Nottingham: A History is out now and available in a bookshop near you. Business history is another interest - Boots and Wilkinsons being the subjects of other books he has penned.
Wanting to ensure MPTC's history is not lost, Chris undertook the job of gathering together the club's historical documents and these are now held in the archives at Castle Meadow Road in Nottingham. They are available for anyone to see, so feel free to contact Chris if you are interested.
As for the future of the club, Chris's hope is that it retains its reputation as a friendly local club allowing players of all abilities to enjoy the game at their own level. Unable to compete with the larger clubs and leisure centres, this, he believes, is the way the club needs to market itself.
And a final message to members: continue to enjoy your tennis but try to find a little time to help with club activities. It's in everyone's interest to keep the club viable by taking part and always feel free to bring a friend along in an effort to boost membership.