Chat from the Chair – December 2011
Season’s Greetings to everyone at the LOST Club
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The run-up to Christmas and the New Year is certainly proving to be a very busy time at our club.
Discussions regarding the refurbishment of the “front” of the club are ongoing and many thanks to all those who attended and contributed to the meeting on November 28th. The various options were very ably presented by Tom Knight with specialist contributions from David Hind and Steve Gledhill. Following members’ questions a vote was taken and there was clear support for building a ramp to the main entrance, installing a secure entry system, modernising the Reception area, expanding the Sports bar and building a baggage store. The Refurbishment Working Party will now move the project forward ; some work will be undertaken by our Maintenance Team with the rest going to tender.
The Club and members continue to support charity events. The Poppy Appeal has taken £73.58 so far, Moira’s Fun Wig Party raised a remarkable £500 and Peter Mullice’s mountain ascent sponsorship has climbed to a peak of £611; well done to everyone involved.
The successful Friday night Meat Raffles have carved out cash for the use of the juniors and both squash and tennis will have their cut.
A larger Club Christmas raffle (plus Disco’) will be drawn on Friday 16th. On this occasion all takings will be spent on prizes which will include various items of Christmas fare plus some surprise mystery prizes ! As a special Christmas treat on the 16th Tim Vail is offering free squash lessons from 5pm onwards….please sign up at reception….and there is an Exhibition Squash Match at 7.20pm.
The December 16th Raffle and Disco is the first of three big seasonal social events.
On Friday 23rd is the Club Christmas Party for Club members and their registered guests. Ticket prices £3 members £8 guests. Saturday 31st is the New Year’s Eve Party. This is in response to requests from many members who want to enjoy celebrating the evening in their own club with friends and fellow members. The party is for over 18’s only, there are snacks and bar promotions and music from the highly acclaimed band “Half Light”. Most of you look like film stars anyway but we have introduced a Hollywood themed fancy dress option in addition to the smart casual dress code. Please note that on New Year’s Eve from 8pm only ticket holders may use the Club Lounge Bar – the Sports Bar will be open as normal. The tickets have been competitively priced at £12.50 each, so book your tickets now from reception…be at your club with the IN crowd - not the OUT crowd.
I do hope that lots of you will want to enjoy these festivities in your own Club with your own friends and fellow members ….and by doing so you are helping to support both your Club’s finances and the hard work of the Entertainment Committee.
Two recent events should be mentioned. The Real Ale (and wine) Festival was a great success with a packed bar and over 100 meals served; it was particularly good to see families and new members enjoying the evening. Our thanks to the tireless efforts of the tasting panel who selected the beers and to Steve, Denise and all the staff for their hard work. Congratulations also to Tony for the Medieval Night…the photos show that a good time was had by all at this unique evening !
There has also been some sport going on! The recent BSPA Solent Classic Squash Tournament was a high quality event, professionally staged by Tim and his team and members of the Squash Committee and enjoyed by players from across the south.
Look out for the Roll of Honour banner on the squash corridor which highlights team and individual achievements alongside the Hall of Fame photos !
There are racketball, squash and tennis matches against other clubs nearly every week so why not check noticeboards for details of the opposition and times of matches and come along to support your teams and to pick up tips.
To help you work off at least some of the excesses of Christmas there is an American Tennis Tournament on 27th December; the sign up sheet is on the reception notice board until Friday 16th.
We are now quite used to hearing Chris Wilkinson’s expert analysis on TV at various tennis events but last week saw him in front of the camera doing on-court interviews on ITV4’s coverage of the Aegon Albert Hall Masters….and an excellent job he made of it, so congratulations Chris.
Do remember that there are various suggestion books in the reception area. Your ideas hopefully guide us to make the right decisions on your behalf.
The Club Christmas opening hours have been published on “flyers” in the Reception area and bar ….the bar is open on Christmas Eve from noon to 11pm and on Christmas Day and Boxing Day from noon to 2pm.
Sincere thanks to anyone who has volunteered their time and energy on behalf of the Club in any capacity over the year and especially to the hard working members of the Management Committee and of all the various committees and working parties.
A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all LOST members and staff.
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