The Steeple Hampton Tennis Club was ageing gracefully into extinction. Membership was declining year by year as dementia and decay claimed more victims. As a consequence of declining income, the courts and clubhouse were also decaying. Now it had become impossible to find Committee members from the declining ranks of septuagenarians and octogenarians who had populated these positions year after year.
A few brave souls in their sixties, anxious for some gentle recreation and friendship in their retirement, had been rather reluctantly accepted into the Club, but now became essential as they volunteered their energies as Committee Members. At first Brian and Jennifer found themselves relatively isolated by the older Committee members.
Jennifer and Brian had talked about the need for changes to attract and welcome new members. They also recognised the difficulties of making these changes without alienating the oldies.
Approaching this task gently, Jennifer and Brian were slowly gaining trust and beginning to gain acceptance for their sensitive approach. They agreed that a good place to start would be to have a Club website. This would provide match results and rankings online which a majority of members thought would be a worthwhile change. It would also provide a gateway through which to attract new members which the Club badly needed. They also proposed that the Club should apply for funds from the local Council to improve recreational facilities so that the courts and clubhouse could be revitalised. Again all members approved, and momentum began to build.
Brian was an IT specialist, so quickly put together the outline of a website.
'Hi Jennifer, I've put some ideas together for the website and would like to get your response and your own ideas. Could I pop round some time and show you?'
'Great, how about Wednesday afternoon, say about 2?'
'Yes, suits me fine. I'll see you then'.
Brian was one of those people who liked to be helpful and gained satisfaction from benefiting his community. This made him a popular figure in the village.
'Hi Jennifer!'
'Hi Brian, come in. I'm really excited about the progress we're making. I'm sure the website will make a massive difference and that we'll attract new members. I'd really like to start some tennis classes for children and young people, and this will give us a means for recruiting and keeping in touch with them. I thought we'd have a wine to celebrate how far we've come - I've really enjoyed working on this with you!'
After a couple of reds they settled to the task of reviewing the website. It was an easy conversation, ideas flowed freely and between them they made many improvements.
'Wait until we show them this! I'm sure they'll be impressed!' exclaimed Jennifer.
'Yes, it's looking really good. It should wow them! What a team! We really do work so well together!'
Jennifer stood up and began to cry. Brian looked concerned.
'Whatever's the matter?'
He stood up and put his arm gently around her shoulders.
'Oh, I know it's silly, but being on the Committee and working with you has given renewed purpose to my life. I've been rather lost and a bit low since Ken and I split up a year ago, and this has really given me a lift.'
Jennifer cried gently on Brian's shoulder.
'Thanks for being a good friend and making me feel useful again.'
'Jennifer, it's been a real pleasure. I mean that. I've come to appreciate your many talents.'
He gave her a little hug.
'Oh Brian, it's not just that. You see', she paused, 'I really like you'. She looked meaningfully into his eyes.
Brian swallowed.'Jennifer, I like you too and find you attractive, but I'm a happily married man with three grown up children!'
