This month we have four new members joining us. I would like to send a warm welcome to Fiona Staniland, John Painting and Morag Reed. Also a big welcome back to Polly Parrott, I hope that you will feel at
home when you visit
the Club.
Our condolences go to the family and friends of Mrs Gladys Welch who passed away at the grand age of 102yrs.
She was a past member and when in good health never missed her bingo and attended Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday sessions.
Committee business
I have to remind you that your membership fees become due on 1stJanuary 2023. Full details of how to do this will be included in the next newsletter.
Please note that Tony the Club Secretary will be on holiday from Monday 9th January 2023 for one week and this may result in a short delay in membership cards being returned
Hot water system
The plans for the new hot water cylinder have been approved by the Committee. Work should be starting soon, with, it is hoped, minimum disruption to Members activities.
Sale of Winchilsea Avenue Flats.
Nothing to report at the present time.
Staff
I would like to welcome Josh to the team. You will, no doubt, meet him behind the Bar in the next few weeks.
Website
Helen and I met with our web manager last week to start updating our website.
Please have a look at the new page advertising the Club as a “wedding party venue” and let us know what you think.
It is hoped that this page will attract some interest from local people looking for a party venue.
Open Forum – Feedback
As promised in Octobers newsletter here below are the last few questions asked by members at the Open Forum held in September:
Q: What fuel is used to heat the snooker room?
A: Gas
(To date it has been difficult to regulate the temperature in the snooker room. It is hoped that the revised zonal heating system will help us to do that)
Q: The Committee were asked what were the new regulations governing regarding letting of properties which were coming into force in October 2022?
A: One of them is that each room with a gas appliance has to have a CO2 monitor. There are more.
Q: The price of soft drinks was raised as a matter of concern by a member
A: He was assured that the price was necessary and caused by the cost to the Club. Club prices are competitive and in the region of those charged by other outlets
A number of comments / queries were raised concerning membership
The issues surrounding membership have been raised at Committee and are on the agenda to be discussed soon.
Q: The amount of £50 joining fee was raised?
Comment: It was suggested that a one- off annual car parking fee be paid by members who wished to do so.
Comment: A member present suggested that both members, officials of the Club including the Steward and staff should work together to recruit new members and therefore increase the revenue of the Club.
Q: If there was a delay in selling the flats would the annual subscription be increased?
A: At the 2019 AGM a proposal had been put forward and agreed by members. The proposal: that the amount of the annual subscription for 2020 be increased by £2.00 to £37.00 and each year after for 4 years the subs be increased by a further £2.00 each year.
Comment: The fact that the Club website was out of date was raised at the forum.
Please see my comments about updating the website above.
Comment: It was suggested that Life Members should be asked for a small contribution each year
This will be considered by the Committee
Comment: It was suggested that the Club has a regular lunch for female members.
I regret the “folding up” of the Ladies section but no-one came forward to take on chairmanship of it. If there is anyone interested in forming a Lunch Club – open to both genders please let me know.
That concludes my report on the September Open Forum.
All agreed that it was a useful exercise and it gave the Committee “food for thought”
New Chair and committee members
To date no-one has come forward to register any interest in the Chairperson vacancy to be created in March when I stand down. Please give serious consideration to giving some time and energy to your Club and let either myself, Tony or a member of the committee know if you would like an informal/no commitment discussion about this.
Somersby draught cider at the knock down price of £3.50 a pint.
This offer will be discontinued when current stocks are finished.
Christmas events Please try to support as many Christmas
events as you can.
Miles is working very hard to try to ensure that you can celebrate this important event in
the Club.
Details can be found at the back of the October
newsletter, on Facebook, our web-site and displayed in
the Club itself
Past events
On November 26th a Race Night was held in the Alexander Lounge. Excitement was high as the races took place. A lot of money exchanged hands, some winning more than others!
Thanks to Ian, Miles and Andrea for running the evening so well, to Miles for the food and Anya for serving.
Last but not least thanks to all who supported the event. The atmosphere was electric!
