Dear Members
We have several new Members this month. James Allam, Paul Clark, James Clay, Paul Terry, Geoff Woodward, and Kenneth Gibson. A very warm welcome to you all. If there is anything we can do to improve your experience as new Members please let myself or a Member of the Committee know. Details of how to contact us are at the bottom of this newsletter.
Our condolences go to Mrs Wesson and family on the death of Barrie Wesson
Committee business
AGM I am pleased to announce that our AGM will be held on April 7th at 7.30 pm. The Right Honourable Mr Robert Jenrick, MP who is our President will be chairing the meeting. There will be an opportunity, I hope, for you to speak to him at some point during the evening.
Items you wish to be included on the agenda should be submitted in writing to the Club Secretary, Tony Lawson by 27th March. Copies of the 2021 Accounts and the Chairwoman’s Address 2022 will be made available to Members in the main hallway in due course and also by request to the Secretary. Membership cards to be shown at the door on the night of the AGM. Please find the Chairwoman’s address to the AGM 2021 attached at the end of this Newsletter.
Regrettably, Darren Willson who has contributed so much to the Club as a Member and, in the past, as Chairman has decided to stand down at the AGM. I would like to take the opportunity to thank him for his commitment to the Club and to his committee role as Health and Safety rep. He will continue to help clean the snooker tables for which I am truly grateful.
New Members have to have 6 months membership before they can join the Committee, however they can be co-opted onto the Committee whilst they build up those six months and until the following AGM.IF you fall into this category, please speak to me or Tony Lawson. If you already have six months or more membership and want to put your name forward then you should write your name on the nomination sheet on the hall notice board where it states “additional Committee Members”.
Membership – Please could I ask that any Member not intending to renew this year returns their door fob so that it can be given to a new Member. Thank you.
Ukraine Appeal – The Committee has decided that a Coffee Morning will be held at the Club on Friday April 8th between 10.00am and 12.00 pm. Donations of cakes will be gratefully received – please let me, Sheila Andrew or Andrea know- some will be sold with a drink and others will be for sale. An opportunity to have a chat with friends over a cup of coffee or tea and it is hoped that we will be able to add to the total of donations already received for this appeal.
Mark Carter, Committee Member felt that he wanted to do something to help the people of Ukraine so when Joanne Miller, a Member, approached him with the same idea he went into action. With the support of the Committee and help from Kath Lawson and Darren Willson he set up a collection point in the Snooker Room and has sent two van loads to Hardy’s Farm Shop, they have donated a container. Mark liaised with NSK Europe Ltd who donated the boxes and Mark Hough Transport who volunteered to transport our donations to Farndon free of charge. We have also set up collection boxes in both the Lounges. We have been overwhelmed by your generosity and support. Every day that we are open, people bring more goods. The collection boxes currently stand at £110. You are truly amazing. Thank you. A special thank you to Member Barry Pearson who donated goods and stayed to help Mark sort things out.
The collection for goods is now closed
Price increases All prices to be increased on 1st April – the Committee have decided that the current prices cannot be sustained when the minimum wage is increased, VAT returns to 20% and our suppliers are increasing the purchase price of food and drink supplies. Miles and the Bar Committee are currently working out the new prices and trying to keep the increase to a minimum whilst covering those increased costs.
Car Park Can I ask that all Members park their cars to the rear of the building unless they have a blue disabled badge. This must be displayed in the windscreen. Some Members have been reporting that they struggle to find a designated disabled space so the Committee have agreed to monitor the situation – please do not be surprised or offended if you are approached by a Committee member asking to see your badge.
Events in March –
The 12th March saw the return of the ever-popular James Courtney (vocalist) to the Club. Everyone reported that it was a most enjoyable evening. Miles offered us a choice of curries, chilli or lasagne. Delicious food and very good fun.
Bingo Saturday 19th March with a basket meal of either sausages (vegetarian available) or scampi. £5.00 per person – really good fun and well supported as usual. Thank you.
Miles has also been really busy with private birthday parties and a Marks and Spencer’s lunch. His reputation for good food and service is growing.
IMPORTANT – The Alexander Lounge will be closed to Members on Saturday 2nd April from 7.00pm onwards for a private birthday party. Drinks may be purchased in the Snooker Room.
Future Events
Mothering Sunday Lunch 27th March
– treat that special lady to a very special lunch. £22.95 per person served from 12.00 pm. The Sunday carvery at the usual price will also be available. Payment required at the time of booking.
STARTERS
DUO SMOKED SALMON MOUSSE WITH BLACK PEPPER CRACKERS AND SALAD GARNISH
CHICKEN LIVER PATE, MELBA TOAST AND RED ONION RELISH
SEA BASS, GINGER AND LIME FISHCAKE, ROCKET SALAD AND SOY SAUCE
TOMATO, BASIL AND RED PEPPER SOUP, BREAD ROLL AND BUTTER
MAINS
ROAST TOPSIDE OF BEEF OR LEG OF LAMB
ROAST POTATOES AND MASH
PARSNIPS, YORKSHIRE PUDDING
VEGETABLES AND GRAVY
TUNA LOIN STEAK WITH DAUPHINOISE POTATOES
BROCCOLI FLORETS AND BATON CARROTS
VEGETABLE SHEPHERD’S PIE WITH GOAT’S CHEESE MASH
BROCCOLI FLORETS AND BATON CARROTS
DESSERTS
APPLE AND BLACKBERRY PIE
GLUTEN FREE ALMONDY PEANUT CARAMEL TART
STRAWBERRY WHITE CHOCOLATE CHEESECAKE
TRIO OF PISTACHIO, SALTED CARAMEL AND MADAGASCAN VANILLA ICE CREAM
OR
CHEESE AND BISCUITS (AT AN ADDITIONAL CHARGE OF £1.50)
FOLLOWED BY COFFEE AND MINTS
Mediterranean evening- 9th April
(Bring your own deck chair, sun glasses and sun tan lotion)
FOOD SERVED 7.30pm – 9.30pm £15.00 BOOKING REQUIRED
PLEASE PRE ORDER MAINS FROM CHOICES BELOW
FETA CHEESE SALAD, MOUSSAKA, SHISH KEBAB OR TAGLIATELLE CARBONARA
ALSO AVAILABLE
GREEK POTATOES, GARLIC BREAD, MEDITERRANEAN VEGETABLES,
SAVOURY RICE, CIABATTA BREAD, BATTERED SQUID RINGS AND CALAMARI CHUNKS
PLEASE PRE ORDER DESSERTS
TIRAMISU SERVED WITH CREAM
PISTACHIO ICE CREAM
SATURDAY 23RD APRIL
SING ALONG WITH JASON DAVIDSON
£15.00 PER PERSON
NON-DINERS £5.00 PER PERSON
PLEASE PRE ORDER FOOD
BANGERS & MASH
SAVOURY DUCK & MUSHY PEAS
HOT BEEF ROLLS WITH ROAST POTATOES
COD, FAT CHIPS & MUSHY PEAS
VEGETARIAN OPTION AVAILABLE PLEASE ASK
DESSERTS
APPLE PIE, SPOTTED DICK OR BREAD & BUTTER PUDDING
SERVED WITH CUSTARD, CREAM OR ICE CREAM
BOOKING REQUIRED
In the planning – A Race Night for May and the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations in June.
Many events on offer to tempt you into the Club! That is not all though………
Thursday Lunch-time Carvery served 12.00 – 2.00 pm.
Friday Shoppers Special Miles has decided to discontinue with his Fish and Chip Special. Watch this space for his alternative next month.
Saturday Morning Breakfast – from 10.30 to 12.30 pm
Vegetarian breakfast available on request. All with a pot of tea and toast.
Sunday Lunch is very popular so don’t forget to reserve your table. All the favourites from 12.00 pm until 3.00 pm.– and with our loyalty card you buy 9 mains and get the 10th free.
Lunches are served Wednesday to Saturday 12.0pm to 2.00 pm with a variety of meals and snacks to suit your taste.
Snooker Room – the popularity of the Snooker Room knows no bounds. Please don’t forget to book your table before you come otherwise you are likely to be disappointed.
Please don’t forget to support the other regular weekly events:
Last week commencing 14th March was very lucky for some!
Mick and Veronica Anderson won £100 and Andrea won £250 from the Lotto machine. Mark Carter and Pat and Mick Cowley shared Kath’s Lotto jackpot of £250.
Wednesday Quiz and Open the Box – weekly at approx. 8.30pm.
Friday night Meat Draw, Play your Cards Right and Kath’s Jackpot start at 10.00 pm. Filled cobs will be available to purchase from behind the Bar.
Sunday Night Quiz, Silly Question, Card Bingo and Ring the Bell. (Jackpot is £360 at the time of writing) Please note that this event starts at 8.30 pm. Filled cobs will be available to purchase from behind the Bar.
Covid 19 – We will continue to observe measures to keep you safe when in the Club
Please do not enter the Club if you have symptoms of covid-19. Let’s keep each other safe.
Best wishes
Ruth, (Chairwoman) Tony, (Secretary) Helen, (Treasurer) Alan, Darren, Ian, Kath, Mark, Sheila, Vaughan (Committee)
If you want to contact the Committee, please email at info@newarkconservativeclub.org or write to us at the Club address
Chairwoman’s Address March 2022
The Club started 2021 in Tier 4 of the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions and then the country swiftly entered the 3rd National Lockdown. It wasn’t until May 2021 that indoor hospitality was allowed to re-open its doors once more. The following month saw all restrictions lifted. Approximately six months of the year were lost to us as a business.
On May 22nd we celebrated the re-opening of the Club to Members and their guests with an evening buffet. It was so good to be able to welcome you all back into the Club. At that time we were all still required to wear masks when moving around inside the building.
At long last, on the 19th July the government decreed a relaxation of all the covid regulations and we were able to hold the AGM. This was my first as Chairwoman and was well attended by Members despite a general nervousness about meeting in large groups caused by the pandemic.
You, as Members, must make your own judgements about whether or not I have achieved my aims as stated at the last AGM. They were as follows:
- To stabilise and expand the business as much as possible.
We remain open for business despite the pandemic and its continuing dramatic effects on all businesses in the hospitality trade. I and the Committee have had to make some very difficult decisions during last year. Rising overheads including fuel and the increasing costs of food and drink from our suppliers have impacted on the business. These and the constraints caused by being unable to “trade” have all taken their toll. On top of these problems is the continuing difficulty we have had in recruiting staff. This seems to be common to many hospitality venues.
- To develop the use of all the building.
In 2020 the Committee decided to invest in future business in the form of private functions and parties. Miles, Club Steward has been instrumental in driving this initiative and his reputation for good food and service is now developing. For example, the Club has been the venue for birthday and christening parties, afternoon teas and baby showers to name but a few.
The more visitors we welcome to Belvedere, the more opportunities we have to “spread the word” about the Club and showcase our facilities locally in terms of generating more income and future business.
- To consider, agree and implement the Stewards ideas for the benefit of the Club and its Members.
This went in tandem with my second aim for 2021. Miles is invited to present his business ideas at each Committee meeting and the Committee give him feedback about past events. It is hoped that in this way we can improve what we offer to Members, their guests and the public. In 2021 we held a Casino Night and a Race Night presented in-house which were both firsts for the Club. Miles held a Curry Night and a Steak Night. These all proved to be popular. On Christmas Day Miles was able to deliver his first Christmas lunch at the Club. I have named but a few.
Private business has increased and provides the Club with a much-needed revenue stream.
During the last year we have welcomed 24 new Members to the Club.
4.To continue to improve communication with all Members.
I hope you will all agree that the Committee and I have achieved this goal. Indeed, the feed-back I receive about the monthly Newsletter is very positive. My thanks to all the Committee for their help to hand deliver to those who have no internet. Add to that the emails that Helen, Treasurer is now able to send out which have enhanced our ability to keep you all well informed about what is going on at short notice and Andrea continues to update our Facebook page on a regular basis.
5.To implement a programme of maintenance in relation to Belvedere and the flats on Winchilsea Avenue.
Belvedere – The peripheral hedge has been cut and tidied. An estimate for annual hedge cutting has been received and accepted.
There still remains a lot of essential maintenance work to ensure that the building looks good and is fit for purpose. The repaired front bay window will need a coat of paint in the Spring and it is planned that a second front window will be repaired this year. There is also the matter of the delayed essential electrical work which hopefully will be carried out this year. Such projects are a considerable drain on our financial resources but are essential for the future of the building and business.
Winchilsea Avenue – We now have two Members of the Committee, Kath Lawson and Alan Card dedicated to the planning of a maintenance plan. They have completed a list of maintenance jobs of which the Committee now needs to agree the priorities. After which the plan will be implemented finances permitting. It is my intention that this work will be funded by the rental income.
The first of the stated aims for 2021 has been fully achieved, and the other four have been partially achieved and will continue to be ongoing. A lot of positive progress has been made through Miles’s hard work and that of the Club Secretary, Tony Lawson, Club Treasurer, Helen Andrew and the Committee. Thank you all for your hard work, dedication and commitment to the Club.
My aims for 2022
I will continue to focus on my previous aims, as above and also strive :-
* to ensure that the business will, at the very least, break even.
* to increase Member attendance by offering a wider variety of events at varying ticket prices.
* to ensure that inevitable increased overheads are appropriately reflected in cost to Members whilst ensuring that the Members receive value for their money.
* to hold an Open Day aimed at attracting new Members.
* to strengthen and improve our presence in Newark by support to local charities and the community in which we operate whenever possible.
Ruth
Ruth Lockwood, Chairwoman