Well here we are December already and at the twilight of another year which if like me, you cannot believe where it has gone. A challenging year for the club following the new committee, but I feel we have got our feet under the table now and steady progress is being made. The most important job we had was to steady the ship financially. You may have noticed the donation indicator on the outside wall of the club and wondered what it was for. We asked our members if they wished to donate a small sum of money to help the financial situation and it is very evident there is a lot of goodwill around as at the time of writing the total monies received was near to eight thousand pounds which we sincerely thank you all for. Some of the money has enabled us to paint the front and sides of the club and I am very pleased with the result.

A very kind and long serving member donated a considerable sum of money to have our snooker tables re-covered and the frames French Polished. They have been restored to their former glory, look fantastic and are being enjoyed by many players once again.

A modern flat screen TV has also been given to the club which has been erected in the club lounge and many members are benefiting from the big screen football matches now being shown.

We had an open day during August Bank Holiday weekend which was great fun and only spoiled slightly when the rain came in the afternoon. However, everyone appeared to enjoy it and we raised over £500. Thank you all who made the day possible.

We have taken a small step into the modern age and now have broadband and E-mail to enhance communication. If anyone wishes to contact the club via the internet the address is: roleston.club@unicombox.com . To further this progress I hope to have our own web site up and running next year.

Important dates to note:

Saturday December 12th – Children’s Christmas Party from 3pm -5pm - £3.00 per child.
Sunday December 13th – Christmas Bingo, 8.00pm start.
Thursday December 31st – NEW YEAR’S EVE – A live band (BIG LIX) will be performing all the great rock covers we know. Tickets will be £8.00 for members and £10.00 for guests obtainable from the club.
Saturday January 9th – Pensioners Christmas Party - £3.00 per person.

Watch this space!! Dancing is very popular currently and due mainly to Strictly Come Dancing on TV. The main hall of the club has a beautiful dance floor hidden mainly by carpet and plans are afoot to reveal a much larger area.

Membership – Don’t forget to renew your membership during the month of January 2010.

Finally, I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and healthy New Year.

Tim James

President’s Message

What a busy month in July, retirements, a completely new committee and we even had a piano roll into the club lounge.

John and Pat Edwards have retired following 30 years of service on the committee of the club. A magnificent achievement and I will take this opportunity to thank them publicly for their devotion, dedication and hard work during that time. How many people do you hear of completing that many years in one place and for free, well done to you both. The officers, Committee, club members and friends wish you both a healthy and happy retirement.

A new committee was formed in July as our members cast their votes in their hundreds. It is very encouraging for me, when so many took the time to vote, you clearly care about this fantastic facility in our village. A new top team is now in place with me as President, Clive Ashton as Vice President, Dave Sharratt our new Secretary and John Brandon taking the financial reins of Treasurer. We also have other new committee members which is healthy for the club. This is a strong committee with a wide range of skill sets and full of ideas to take on the challenges ahead.

Rumours were rife in the club, something about a piano coming in. The rumours were right. Kindly given to the club by our very own vicar, this beautiful music machine has now taken pride of place in the club lounge. Good old fashioned ‘Sing a long’ nights will be coming back to the club so watch out for the dates.

On a serious note, as many companies, pubs and clubs have found this year to be a very tough time, Rolleston Club is no exception, we need your support more than ever if the club is to survive and flourish beyond these difficult financial times. I am pretty sure there are some of you reading this that are unaware how much the club can offer you. A lovely lounge bar typical of any pub, two Snooker rooms and our main hall which has a stage, sound to light system, its own bar and always hosts live entertainment on Saturday nights where children are very welcome indeed. Also one of best crown green Bowling Greens in the Burton area which is always very busy during the summer months.

Given to the village by Sir Oswald Mosley, the club is at the heart of the community, a beautiful six feet high Mosley crest sits proudly in the main hall and is indeed a site to see. Membership is half price now until January 2010 so come along and have a look for yourselves, I’m sure you will be surprised.

Tim James
President