by admin | Oct 9, 2020 | News
NOTICE
- Due to the coronavirus, this year’s A.G.M. Will be held in line with the legal advice issued by the association of conservative clubs
- There will be a limited agenda.
- In order to adhere to the present social distancing, only 30 members plus the 8 officials of the club will be at the meeting.
- The A.G.M. Will be held at 7. 30pm on Tuesday 10th November 2020 in the Alexander Lounge and on that evening the club will be open at 6. 30pm.
- The notice stating the time and date of the A.G.M. Along with the agenda will be placed on the club’s notice board on Wednesday 7th October 2020.
- The agenda can be found below.
- The nomination forms for the election of all officers of the club and the club’s examiner will be placed on the clubs notice board on Wednesday 7th October 2020. These will be taken down on Sunday 18th October 2020 and re-posted on Wednesday 21st October 2020. Should a ballot be required then the times and dates of the ballot will be circulated by email and exhibited on the clubs notice board.
- A copy of the 2019 accounts, minutes of the 2019 A.G.M, minutes of the special general meeting held on the 9th May 2019, the 2020 Chairwoman’s address will be placed on the clubs notice board on Wednesday 7th October 2020.these documents will remain on the clubs notice board until the morning of the actual A.G.M.
These documents are not to be taken off the premises.
Should anyone wish to obtain a copy of any of the aforementioned documents, please contact the secretary.
- The system to select the 30 members who will be entitled to attend the A.G.M. Will be as follows:
On Wednesday 7th October 2020, forms will be placed on the table in the main hallway. These forms, which will be self-explanatory, are to be completed by those members who wish to attend the A.G.M. And placed in the appropriate box on the main hallway table.
On Wednesday 21st October 2020 these forms and the appropriate box will be withdrawn. The committee will then draw 30 completed forms out of this box.
The 30 successful members will be informed by telephone or email as soon as possible after the draw that they have been selected to attend the A.G.M.
Any member that unfortunately has not been selected to attend the A.G.M. Will also be informed by telephone or email as soon as possible after the draw. However, any of these members that are not entitled to attend the A.G.M but wish to raise a point relating to anything on the agenda, should put this in writing to the secretary by Wednesday 4th November 2020. Any such correspondence will be read out at the actual A.G.M. In due course, the secretary will reply to the individuals of such correspondence by either telephone or email.
Members are politely reminded that they must show their paid- up membership card for 2020 to gain access to the actual A.G.M. on Tuesday 10th November 2020.
AGENDA
- Apologies
- Deceased members.
- To agree the minutes of the 2019 Annual General Meeting.
- To agree the minutes of the S.G.M. held on 9th May 2019.
- To receive the report of the examiners. (2019 Accounts)
- To pass the Examiners Report.
- To receive the Chairwoman’s address.
- To elect Officers for the ensuing year.
- To elect the Examiner for the ensuing year.
- To receive notice of life members elected in 2020.
Chairman’s Address March 2020
Darren Willson
Introduction
I along with the Committee have tried very hard to ensure that the last year, 2019, has been “business as usual” for the Club and Members. There have been many challenges along the way, however, with the help of the Committee and a few willing volunteers we have met these head on and overcome them.
The last year has certainly been a steep learning curve for the Committee as a whole and particularly for me. I am more determined than ever to ensure that the Club becomes the best it can be, both in terms of what we offer the Members and the fabric of the building.
Challenges
During the past year the biggest challenge we faced was keeping the business going following the resignation of the Club Steward in July and the ensuing recruitment of a successor. Add to this the loss of various other members of bar staff, for various reasons. Regrettably one of our Cooks went on long term sickness absence and our Handyman has been off sick awaiting surgery since December and has now returned. Our long-standing stock-taker decided to give up work due to ill-health – luckily, we were able to find a replacement fairly swiftly.
During this period one Committee Member sadly passed away and another resigned. This naturally added to the remaining Committee Members’ workload. Can I appeal to all Members of the Club to consider becoming a Committee Member themselves? Anyone interested should contact Tony Lawson, (Club Secretary) in the first instance. All in all, 2019 was an extremely busy year.
Thanks
Thanks as always to Tony Lawson, Club Secretary for his tireless work and for being the “font of all knowledge” regarding the Club’s official matters. We would struggle without him.
A big vote of thanks has to go to Helen Andrew, our Treasurer who has been in post since the AGM last year. She keeps a tight hold of the purse strings and also strives hard to actively pursue money saving avenues which keep the Club as financially stable as is possible.
I cannot forget the committee members who have assisted me, in the face of adversity, to keep the Club running as smoothly as possible. Your assistance has been greatly appreciated.
I need to put on record my gratitude to Michael our Cook who stepped up to the plate, working mostly on his own, in our busy kitchen, particularly over the Christmas period. Thank you, Michael. Also, to all our staff, without whom we could not operate, including those who work behind the scene namely our cleaners Jo and Sheila who do a wonderful job keeping the Club clean.
Last but not least are the willing volunteers upon whom we relied greatly. Without their help and support we would have struggled even more. My grateful thanks go to all of you.
Finance
In October due to financial circumstances the Club faced a problem with cash flow. In order to alleviate this problem and prevent a crisis it was agreed that the existing ACC loan should be increased by £20,000, our application was accepted and the crisis averted.
Recruitment
The most important job vacancy I have faced this year is that of the Steward. I think you will all agree that this is the key role in the Club. After a committee discussion it was decided that the vacancy should be residential, and it was advertised as such. After three months of hard work and a lot of wasted time due to candidates not turning up, we successfully appointed Miles Murphy. Miles has a lot of relevant experience and we are confident that he can help us develop the business.
After several months of staff changes and consequent recruitment, we have a core team of bar staff to call upon as and when required.
Communications and advertising.
Now that things have returned to normal as far as staffing goes, we can focus our attention on promoting the Club as a priority. To this end I have already held a meeting with our web-site manager who has suggested various improvements. I plan to action his ideas and various others in the next few months. Watch the website as it develops. During this exercise the hitherto neglected Face Book page will also receive our attention ably assisted by Andrea Murphy.
It has recently been decided that a monthly newsletter will be sent out electronically advising members of upcoming events and changes. There will also be copies available in the Lounge for those who prefer to read paper documents.
Winchilsea Avenue
I can report that both flats are now occupied and the rents are being paid on time. The committee has decided that the Club would be better served by changing Letting Agents and the flats are now managed by a different local firm.
Conclusion
I am really looking forward to working alongside Miles, the Club Steward and the committee in 2020 to maintain and develop the business. In order to ensure success, I am asking for your support by continuing to use the Club facilities, introducing family and friends as new members and spreading a positive message about the Club.
Any ideas, comments, suggestions are always welcome. Please do not hesitate to bring those to our attention.
Darren Willson, Chairman (March 2020)
Postscript
Ruth Lockwood (Acting Chairwoman)
After this address was written, in preparation for the AGM to be held in March 2020, Darren resigned as Chairman because of personal commitments and I became Acting Chairwoman. Thank you, Darren, for all your hard work and commitment. I had been a member of the Committee for about two years prior to this and felt that I had to step up and find out what I could do.
I have learnt an awful lot in the past couple of months. I have much appreciated the support and encouragement given to me by Committee Members and Members alike. I am committed and determined to ensure that the Club is successful and provides Members with what they want from their Club. I am very proud to be the first woman in the Chair albeit “acting” at present”.
Miles, the Club’s new Steward took up post in late January 2020 and the Committee was looking forward to allowing him to develop the business. However, Covid-19 hit us nationally and by March we were in “lock-down” which was frustrating to say the least. At the time of writing the Club is open again and, operating within the Covid-19 regulations. The Committee, I and the Steward, Miles are trying to be flexible and imaginative in what the Club offers you whilst keeping you safe when you visit the Club. Miles is constantly striving to tempt Members back to the Club.
I want to take this opportunity to thank both Miles and Andrea, his wife who, whilst settling into their new home and a community they did not know and once lockdown was lifted, have kept the Club operating with hard work, good humour and enthusiasm under extremely difficult circumstances. Their commitment to the success of this Club has been self evident and second to none.
My Goals
My first and immediate goal is to find a way to overcome the negative impact the pandemic is having on the Club. We (Miles, the Committee and our staff) have all had to learn to be extremely flexible and think outside the box during lockdown and since re-opening. Without your continued support we would have fallen at the first hurdle, however our situation is beginning to improve and we can now see light at the end of the tunnel. We all want to say a sincere thank you to all our Members.
Following on I want to follow Darren’s lead and to improve communication between the Committee and Club Members. As a first step I am writing a monthly Newsletter and try to report on what has happened in the previous month and notify Members of what is happening the following month. Secondly, I have personally delivered the Newsletter to Members for whom we do not have an email address. We are now sending 200 emails, so it was well worth-while. The web site is also still under active review by Helen Andrew – thank you for all your hard work Helen – and Andrea Murphy has agreed to keep us all posted on Face book.
Secondly, I aim to try and develop the Club in a way that maintains the interest and support of Members who come into the Club and to attract the interest of those who may never attend. This will be a difficult balancing act and there may be mistakes made along the way. However – nothing ventured, nothing gained. Your feedback will be really important and helpful in this. At the moment we are more than a little hindered because of the pandemic.
I am looking forward to working with Miles and the Committee with your continued support to make this Club successful.
Ruth Lockwood
Acting Chairwoman
October 2020
by admin | Oct 2, 2020 | News
Dear Members,
Since I last wrote to you all I have been touring the countryside of Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire delivering your newsletter to those who either do not have an email address or those who have not given it to us. Wow! I didn’t realise how far flung our Members are and in what beautiful countryside places some of you live. It has been lovely to meet you and have a chat about what you want from your Club. Thanks to all of you for your warm welcome. I also have to thank my husband Howard for being my chauffeur – he drove a round trip of 64 miles one day. As well as meeting some of you I managed to get over 90 new email addresses which is brilliant.
In a more serious vein the Committee met on 23rd September to discuss the impact of the revised regulations regarding Covid-19.
We still have to adhere to the original measures i.e. hand sanitiser at convenient points, removal of menus from the tables, condiments now in individual sachets, a one-way system in the Lounge, no more than six people at a table and, not to forget the social distancing.
We will now, by law, have to ensure that everyone is out of premises by 10.00 pm curfew. There is to be no drinking up time and Miles, our Steward will be calling last orders at 9.30 pm. Your fob will not allow you entry after 9.30 pm.
Please note that from the 1st October the Club will be open at 6.00 pm every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
It will be mandatory for face coverings to be worn in the Club when not seated at a table. So when you walk through the Lounge or go to the toilets you will be required to wear a face covering. Staff will also be required to wear a face covering when serving you.
Table service is now compulsory and will be the order of the day. When you enter the Lounge you should find a table and wait until someone comes to take your order whether for a drink or food.
When you enter the Club and go to sign in you will notice a new sheet of paper with a QR code on. We are required to display that by law. If you have downloaded the NHS Covid-19 app on to your phone you can use your phone app to “sign in” to the Club otherwise you will have to sign in by hand.
Snooker The “rules” around the wearing of a mask while playing snooker are not evident so, after some research on the internet, we have taken the approach that masks must be worn when entering, leaving and moving around the premises unless you are seated, drinking or taking part in a game of snooker and you feel it would negatively affect your ability to play. If we find more specific advice to the contrary we will notify you of the new “rules”
Please remember:
- Do not enter the Club if you are experiencing any of the symptoms of Covid-19
- Keep at least 1 metre apart, wherever possible, from Members who are not from your household.
- Sit and socialise in a group of no more than six at a table and do not socialise with people from other tables.
We have also been forced to review the start times of various events as follows:
With effect from 1st October the Snooker Room will open at 6.00 pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. On Tuesdays the doors will open as usual at 7.00 pm.
On Friday the Meat Draw and Play your Cards Right will start at 8.45 pm prompt. Draw tickets will be sold prior to that.
Sunday Night Quiz and games will start at 8.00 pm prompt.
Wednesday Night Quiz /Open the Box will start promptly at 8.00 pm.
We are also keeping the planned Entertainment Evenings under close review – watch this space.
Each night Miles will be calling “last orders” at 9.30 pm and everyone must have left the premises by 10.00pm.
We hope the revised timings will allow you to enjoy the regular events whilst still observing the law. If we find that events are taking longer than anticipated we may have to change the start times again. Please bear with us, this is not a science!
Reservations are NOW available for Christmas Day Lunch
A five-course menu served at the table for only £49.95 per person. Pre-booking including payment in full is essential. Don’t delay – places are restricted. Bookings can be made over the Bar where the menu will be available for you to make your choices. You can also see the menu on the website and we will be sending a separate email about this event as soon as possible.
Look out for the December Calendar of events soon to be published.
During September the Ladies Section enjoyed their first gathering since the lockdown in March. We all tested our brain power with a quiz. It was lovely to have a good chat with each other after so long. Any ladies wishing to join the section should contact the Chairperson, Mrs Diane Plumb by replying to this email and we will forward your enquiry.
On Saturday 12th September Dot Town called the Bingo and Tony Lawson kept us all in line whilst taking our money. Thank you, Dot and Tony. They are back by popular demand on Saturday 17th October.
Miles and Andrea made the Steak Night one to remember with the help of Nikki, Matthew and Olivia. A great atmosphere with beautiful steaks and wine to tickle the palate. What more could you ask for? Thanks to all of you for a great night.
On Saturday the 26th September a Macmillan Coffee Morning was held in the Lounge. The support was fantastic, thanks you to all of you who baked, donated and bought cakes. They were all delicious and as you can see below created a wonderful spread.
Guess the Weight of the Cake raised the superb amount of £27.00 .The very large, weighty cake was expertly baked and decorated in Macmillan colours by Pat Cowley. On Saturday we discovered it weighed 8lbs 14.3oz. The lucky winner was Mick Anderson with the nearest guess of 8lbs 12oz. Congratulations to Mick!
I would also like to thank those people who gave Tombola prizes. We raised a fantastic £93 on that stall alone.
Thank you to those of you who came and had a cup of coffee and cake – your support was overwhelming! and without you we would not have raised a FANTASTIC total of £470. Obviously a cause close to many people’s hearts.
A special thank you to Sheila Andrew, Miles, Andrea, Betty Edlin and Pat Cowley who organised the event under difficult circumstances.
Farewell to Sheila Crawford
On Monday 28th September the Committee held a goodbye Buffet for Sheila, one of our two cleaners. After 16 years of service Sheila has decided to hang up her dusters in favour of a lie –in. I don’t blame her. We will miss her attention to detail and eagle eye but we wish her a happy retirement.
Staffing
Regrettably the pandemic has forced the Committee to evaluate the staffing levels at the Club. We have been in a negotiating process with all staff and happily they have agreed to reduce their working hours by half. So, you will continue to see George Townrow our handyman, Joanne Allam, cleaner, Andrea Bell and Michael Combes, Assistant Cooks but not quite as often as before. They all took a pragmatic approach to our need to reduce the wage bill and I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all of them for their commitment to the continuing business of the Club.
Coming up soon in October!!
From Thursday 1st October
The Club will be open at 6.00 pm every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
Miles will be offering a TEA TIME SPECIAL on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
(unless we have an entertainment / special event) from 6.00 pm until 8.00 pm. A two-course meal at £6.00 per person. Menu available at the Bar, on the website.
NB Food will not be available on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
Monday 5th October
Ladies Night at 7.30 pm – unfortunately and due to the pandemic, this meeting is now cancelled.
Saturday 17th October
Bingo Night – starting with a basket meal for £5 per person at 6.00 pm followed by Bingo all welcome. Eyes Down at 7.30 pm. Pre-booking essential
Sunday 18th October – Billiards Tournament all day in the Snooker Room. The room will be available for Members use in the evening
Saturday 24th October – Entertainment by Kim a multi – instrumentalist and vocalist – a two course meal (Mediterranean /Greek) for £12.50 per person served between 6.00 pm and 8.00 pm. Pre-booking essential.
Wednesday Night Quiz and Open the Box – tickets sold from 7.30 pm quiz now starting promptly at 8.00 pm
Friday Night Meat Draw – tickets sold from 8.00 pm onwards, the Meat Draw will commence at 8.45 pm prompt
Sunday Lunch – enjoy a choice of meats and vegetables for £6.95. You can’t go wrong. Table reservations available from 12.00 pm to 2.30 pm.
Sunday Night Quiz and games – come and test your knowledge, tickets sold from 7.30 pm, quiz starting promptly at 8.00 pm
For all reservations / event enquiries please phone the Club on 01636 701310 or Miles, our Steward on 07738 628668. This is particularly important at the moment to ensure that we have a safe number for social distancing in the Lounge.
The Committee really value your support and thank you for your patience. See you at the Club soon.
Best wishes
Ruth
Acting Chairwoman – Ruth Lockwood
Secretary – Tony Lawson, Treasurer – Helen Andrew
Committee Members – Sheila Andrew, Alan Card, Ian Stonier, Darren Willson and Vaughan Wright.
If you would like to comment on this Bulletin please do so by email .The Club email address (info@newarkconservativeclub.org) is being monitored and you will receive a reply.,
