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The Club held its Annual General Meeting in April and reported another successful year. A healthy surplus was achieved despite spending 30k on improvements to the building and facilities. We have also maintained our major beer prices at their 2017 level despite a 3.5% increase by the Breweries and the overall membership for 2018 has increased over the previous year.
A recent inspection of our beers by a representative of Cask Marque gave the Club another top marks performance. We recorded maximum scores for taste, aroma, temperature and clarity with the comment of an excellent performance overall. We now stock a range of Heritage beers and Reservoir ale on a rota basis so why not become a member and try one of the speciality beers on sale?
The Café is now moving to its summer specials with a variety of salads available. Kim is currently arranging the menu so why not give them a try? If you do not opt for a salad there is also a variety of choices on the menu and of course the Full Breakfast.
The Bowling Season has got off to a very damp start with heavy rain delaying the start of the season. The first match was played on Saturday 7th April and with twelve teams in total the green will be used on a regular basis. Mick Groves, our groundsman, has endeavoured to repair the damage from last year but every time he makes progress it rains or snows. Hopefully the sun will shine during the next few weeks and the grass will grow.
The Darts, Crib and Snooker teams have completed their seasons and are already looking forward to September when it starts all over again. If you are interested in joining one of the teams please write or speak to a representative of the Club who will pass on the details to the respective Captains.
I know it is early to talk about Gala Day which will be held in late August but arrangements have already started. The Gala Committee wish to pass on their appreciation to Staffordshire County Council and especially Philip White for approving a generous grant towards the cost of the marquee. It is greatly appreciated and hopefully local organisations and businesses will get behind the event and fully support the efforts of the Committee.
Entertainment on a Saturday evening has become popular as was shown in the recent balance sheet. Keith Norris endeavours to provide a balanced programme throughout the year and has already booked ‘The Detroits’ for New Year’s Eve. Judging by their recent visit to the Club in March, tickets, when on sale will be in high demand. On Saturday 9th June we have a ‘Beatles’ Tribute and tickets are now on sale at £5 members and £8 guests. Why not pay us a visit and sing along to the music of Lennon and McCartney.
The Entertainment programme continues and we set out below our programme for the next three months.
Christmas and the New Year have come and gone and we now look forward to 2018. The Family Disco was a great success with ‘Santa Claus’ finding time to visit the Club and give a present to 65 children who waited patiently for him to arrive. Santa was assisted by his two elves creating a festive atmosphere in the brightly decorated main room. The evening concluded with family members and children enjoying Dave’s Disco who played a wide variety of music including Christmas songs.
New Year’s Eve was a sell out with Signed Sealed and Delivered providing a great evening of music and dance. The group’s musical repertoire of topical songs ended in the early hours of 2018 with contented members and guests letting the New Year in in style.
The Seniors Party concluded the New Year activities where the Leaders and Burton Air Cadets prepared and served an excellent festive meal for 51 of the Club’s members. The evening was thoroughly enjoyed by those attending and credit must go to the Cadets for their assistance in making the party such a success. Thanks must also go to Committee Members and volunteers who helped during the evening.
The Coffee Lounge has experienced a good year with Kim, Ann and the other members of our staff cooking and serving a good selection of meals and snacks to an ever increasing number of visitors. The ‘specials’ of lasagne and cottage pie are in addition to the cooked breakfasts and various other choices on the menu. If you have not called in to the Coffee Lounge give it a go and try one of our variety of coffees/teas and possibly a bite to eat.
The Main Room continues to attract a wide range of activities with a new U3A group ‘Singing’ making Monday afternoons a regular feature from January. The U3A also have activities on Tuesday with the Jazz Group and on the last Wednesday of each month the Antiquarium section hold their monthly meeting.
During the last eight years Maureen Bullock has held Line Dancing on a Monday evening. She initially decided to ‘retire’ but we are delighted to confirm that she has changed her mind and the Line Dancing classes are to continue throughout 2018.
On Saturday 24th February we are holding ‘An Evening with John Virgo’. This is a special tribute, to the late David Bentley, who was a club member and regular snooker player, by representatives of his family. John Virgo will provide a night of trick shots and humour to a limited ticketed audience on a new crucible style snooker table. The ticket price of £20 includes a light meal with a percentage of the proceeds being contributed to Burton Hospital. A big thank you to members of the Bentley family for their contribution and making it possible to remember ‘Dave ‘in style.
The Entertainment programme continues and we set out below our programme for the next three months.
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Last updated: 20 May 2018