Old Newsletters Jul/Aug/Sept 2005

July 2005

Kingsley Park Working Men’s Club News July 05

The Ken Taylor Club Member of the Year Award

When our President of 24 years passed away, it was agreed that in his honour an award should be made every year to the person named “Club Member of the Year.”

This person, male or female, will be a person nominated by the members themselves. The nomination may be on the grounds of achievement at games, assistance in the club in any way, helpfulness to other members, regular attendance at the bar or any other specific grounds a member wishes to nominate another for.

Nomination forms are attached to this newsletter and may be obtained from the door staff or from bar staff.

The Management Committee will judge all nominations. The result will be declared on the evening of the Christmas Draw.

There will be a roll of honour prominently displayed in the club and the winner each year shall win a free main course meal every week for the calendar year following the award.

Please give this award serious thought. We have a lot of members who do a lot for this club and it is fitting that we begin to formally recognise that fact. This award is in memory of a great man who lived his life for this club. Please treat it with the dignity it deserves. Thank you.

Entertainment July 05

Friday 1st Expressive Harmony Super Boy/Girl Duo
Saturday 2nd Roadhouse Group
Sunday 3rd Next Male Duo
Friday 8th Freak Out Boy/Girl Duo
Saturday 9th 3 D Vision 3 Piece Male Vocal Act
Sunday 10th Viva Diva Excellent Female Duo
Friday 15th Xpress Excellent Vocal Inst. Male Duo
Saturday 16th Broken Tots 4 piece Chart Covers Group
Sunday 17th Designer Top Boy/Girl Duo
Friday 22nd The Soundations Male Vocal Instrumental Trio
Saturday 23rd Obsession Male/Female Vocal Instrumental Duo
Sunday 24th Newyork Minute Male Vocal/ instrumental Duo
Friday 29th Simon Astbury Young Male Vocal Entertainer
Saturday 30th Family Affair Male/Female Duo
Sunday 31st Highly Strung Superb Vocal Personality Duo

Bingo Sessions

Every Friday Eyes down 9.00 p m
Saturdays 16th 23rd 30th Eyes down 9.00 p m
Every Sunday Eyes down 8.45 p m

Look out for September. We hope to be changing our format for your better enjoyment at weekends. Saturdays and Sundays will feature more groups (with less use of backing tapes) than Duos and Friday nights will be a bit different. Details will appear in next month’s newsletter.


Strawberries and Cream

It’s Summer and it’s Wimbledon so it’s got to be Strawberries and Cream. Come and dine at the club and finish your meal with a dish of strawberries and fresh cream for only £2.50. or just have a portion on its own.

With our wide range of Summer meals including scrumptious salads and wraps and the enormous choice of hot meals for the big appetite, the dainty appetite, the vegetarian appetite and children’s meals this has got to be the place for the family to eat as the school holidays approach. The added bonus to quality food and service is that it will not cost an arm and a leg. Come and look at our menu before you take the plunge!

Ordering times for food are as follows: -

Monday to Thursday 12.00 noon to 2.30 p m and 5.00 p m to 9.00 p m.
Friday 12.00 noon to 2.30 p m and 5.00 p m to 8.00 p m.
Saturday 11.00 a m to 8.00 p m.
Sunday 12.00 noon to 4.30 p m

The only restriction on the menu is that on Sundays we are unable to serve the Breakfasts. This is because, when busy, the variety of items to be cooked can cause big delays for other folk waiting for their meals.

During July we will be revising our menu. Look out for new dishes to titillate the taste buds.

Kingsley Park Youth Games Club

We now have a very active youth games club for members’ children which meets every Saturday between 1 and 4 p.m. in the games room. This is open to children between 8 and 14 years of age. Currently, the children play Pool, Skittles and Darts. It is hoped to extend the range of games to card games in the not too distant future. All the games are played under close supervision of adults who train the children in the treatment of equipment as well as how to play the games. There is currently an inter-club pool league which gives rise to a lot of excitement.

Parents are encouraged to stay in the room while the club is in progress and the bar is open for the duration of the club. In any case the person who brings the child to the club must stay on the premises.

Your children are the club members of tomorrow. Why not give them a taste of what good fun it could be to be a member? Come along and get your children enrolled now, before it gets so full that we have to start a waiting list!

The club is free, but there is a fund-raising football card sold each week.



Dates for the Diary

Saturday July 2nd Kingsley Park Football Team Race Night

This is the fund raising night of the year for our football team. Come along and enjoy the “Sport of Kings” in the comfort of our concert room. The first race is at about 8.30 and a great night is in store for all who join us.

Tuesdays July12th & 26th Quiz nights

Come out for two evenings of gentle brain massage with your sympathetic and caring quizmaster. All answers will be supplied (Eventually!)

We start at 8.30 with a snack break during the evening.

Saturday 6th August Children’s Outing

Tickets will be available from Friday 1st July. Please remember that only children and grandchildren of members go free. The cost for adults and all other children is £10.00.
Please bring your club cards with you when collecting your tickets. Tickets will not be given to anyone who does not produce their cards. For insurance purposes we will need the first name and surname of every adult and child travelling.

Monday 15th August 60th Anniversary of V J Day

This anniversary will be celebrated in the afternoon when we will be entertained by a Duo with a show called “Hitz from the Blitz.” For those who want it, there will be a bangers and mash lunch for only £2.99. The restaurant will be open all day for those of you who want to eat in the relative quiet of the lounge and want to choose from our extensive menu.

Thursday 10th November Men’s Supper & Games Presentation Evening

This year we are delighted to announce that our after dinner speaker is Tommy “The Doc” Docherty. This man has stories to tell, and he certainly knows how to tell them. The evening will be worth coming to just for him, but there will be much more. We’ll keep you informed as the programme builds.

And Finally

Please do not forget to always bring your club cards with you when you come to the club. The door staff have been instructed to request sight of cards every time a member or associate visits the club with effect from 1st July. Please do not get upset with the doorman for repeated requests; he is only doing what he has been told by the Management Committee to ensure that everyone who enters the club has a right to be here for the safety and comfort of everyone. Please note that as from 1st August it will be compulsory to have your cards on you to gain entry to the Club. Your cooperation and understanding will be greatly appreciated.

August 2005

Kingsley Park Working Men’s Club News August 2005

It’s Showtime Folks

As you will have seen from a previous newsletter and notices in the club, with effect from 1st August every day will be a potential card show day.

When a doorman is at his post he will be expected to ask for sight of club cards every time a member or associate member comes into the Club.

As has been stated, this is not to catch people out, but to ensure as far as possible, that only people entitled to enter the Club do so. It is for the benefit of those people and their safer enjoyment of the Club’s facilities.

Once card carrying becomes a habit, as it already is for many, we are sure the benefits will be well worth the effort.

Bar Tariff Review 2005

In the February newsletter, it was announced that prices were being held at 2004 rates until the results of the half-year accounts were available.

The reason for holding the prices was to encourage our members and associates to make more use of the Club and its facilities. It was stated that the only way this could be maintained through the year would be for there to be an increase in sales.

The bad news is that there has not been an increase in sales. In fact the turnover has decreased by about 3%. This slight downturn is about half of that currently being experienced in the market as a whole. Add to that over £2300 expenses in registering for the new licensing act, it can be seen that hurdles have to be overcome.

The good news is that with some good fortune and sound management decisions by the Executive Committee there have been some substantial savings in expenses and increases in other income with the end result that there was a small surplus for the first 6 months.

Further new initiatives are in the pipeline, but the one thing that we still need is more and better use of the Club. As we have said many times in this newsletter, this club belongs to the members and the management team is always keen to hear what the members want to bring them into the club more. Please talk to any Committee member or the Secretary.

Decisions about holding prices are never easy. It is accepted practice that margins must be maintained and that is sound practice. Your Committee has taken the brave step of deciding to hold prices for the rest of the year. The success or failure of their decision is dependent upon your support. Only together can this decision be made to work for the good of the Club.

Assistant Steward

It is deeply regretted that the appointment of Andrea Rideout did not work out and Andrea has, by mutual agreement, moved on to pastures new.

The position has now been offered to Sarah Warren who has been working for the Club since August last year. Sarah has a proven record in bar management and has already proven herself a good employee of the club. Good luck in your new and challenging role Sarah.

Entertainment for August

Friday 5th Ricky Swann Male Vocalist 60’s to 80’s
Saturday 6th Matrix Band 70’s to present
Sunday 7th Johnny Red Guitar vocalist Rock n Roll
Friday 12th Flying Ants Group 70’s to 80’s
Saturday 13th Classix Band Modern
Sunday 14th Phaze Male/Female Duo A Bit of everything
Friday 19th Tom Healy Band Irish Band
Saturday 20th Bangkok Beaver Patrol Male Duo 70’s
Sunday 21st Night Fever Duo 70’s
Friday 26th Paula Swann Female Vocalist
Friday 26th Mark Lavell Freddie Mercury Tribute
Saturday 27th Breeze Band 60’s to 80’s
Sunday 28th Krys Band 60’s
Monday 29th Ayles Comet Group Rock n Roll

Our Entertainment format is changing slightly in September. On Fridays we will be having Karaoke evenings. Participation will be open to adults only and good performances acknowledged by those present will be rewarded with the occasional free drink. The calibre of performers for Saturday and Sunday will be improved. This change is for one month and will continue if successful.

Monday 15th August is 60th Anniversary of V J Day. The “Hitz from the Blitz” show will be on from 12.30 p.m. to 4.00 p.m.

Our famous Bangers and Mash Lunch will available and the Kitchen will be serving the full menu from Noon through the day. The Ken Taylor Lounge will be open at lunch -time for those who wish to eat in a quieter atmosphere.

Bingo Sessions

Every Friday Eyes down 9.00 p.m.
Saturdays 13 & 27th Eyes down 9.00 p.m.
Every Sunday Eyes down 8.45 p.m.
Monday 29th Eyes down 9.00 p.m.



Local Children in Need Fund Raising

We want to make this year a bumper fundraiser. Our Skittles Marathon always raises good money but only involves less than a dozen members generally. Last year we also had two hardy souls who played darts the day long.

Please book Saturday 22nd October as your day of sponsored activity from 9.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m. Let’s see if we can get a full squad for Skittles, Darts, Pool, Snooker, Cribbage and Dominoes.

If you are interested, please tell the General Secretary and get yourself registered.

Sky TV

Once again Sky has increase their tariff this year way ahead of inflation. The monthly cost is going up from £650 to £730.

By good fortune; because Sky do not advertise the fact; we have become aware that we are entitled to a different type of contract if we have an outdoor sports facility within our premises that is included in our rates bill.

By spending about £2500 on building a Petanque Terrain and accepting a small increase in our rates bill of about £200 per year, we have been told by Sky our monthly bill will reduce from £730 to about £200. This should allow us to reinstate the PremPlus subscription for the coming season. This will cost £1750 and still give the Club a substantial saving year on year.

This stroke of good fortune is as a direct result of communicating and meeting with other clubs in our area.

Games News
Ladies Darts

Congratulations to Katrina Birch for winning the Ladies Darts League singles competition.

The team is in need of some new members, preferably ladies who are already club members. It is club policy, however, to open the membership books for people who wish to register as games team members as long as the procedures for obtaining membership are carried out in accordance with Club rules.

Please contact Kathy Maclean at weekends in the Club or any Committee member.

Thank you.

Mixed Darts

We have just joined a mixed darts league. This league plays on Friday nights. We are looking for more players to register for the team. The reward for joining is a good night out every Friday while the league is in session. Come along on a Friday night (making sure the team is at home) and get on the team!

Volunteer Required

We are looking for someone with a strong constitution to be responsible for organising internal competitions in the club covering all the games we play including cards games, snooker, pool, darts, dominoes and petanque. We could also consider chess and board games. The format of these competitions is open to be agreed with the volunteer.

If this is something you would enjoy, please pop in and have a chat with the Secretary.


New Members

At the time of going to press over 60 people who have applied for membership have neither collected their cards or contacted the Secretary to arrange collection. Every one of these people has had a personal written invitation to collect their cards.

The expenses and time involved in introducing new members is well worth spending, but the waste of money and effort on behalf of people who do not collect their cards is, to put it mildly, an annoyance.

It would be appreciated if any member who has proposed or seconded someone for membership could ensure the person they have sponsored has collected their cards or will collect them by Sunday 14th August.

Any applications which are still on file at 1.00 p.m. on Sunday 14th August will lapse unless alternative arrangements for collection of cards has been received beforehand.

Dates for the Diary

Saturday 6th August Children’s Outing

Sadly all the tickets are gone for this outing. We hope everyone going has a thoroughly enjoyable and safe day. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Tuesdays 9th & 23rd August Quiz Nights

On 9th Bamber will not be able to host the evening. Come along and support our guest quiz mistress who is sourcing her own questions with a promise that there will be nothing to do with James Bond films included. Then back with Bamber on 23rd.

We start at 8.30 p.m. Come along and join the fun
.
Monday 15th August 60th Anniversary of V J Day

In the tradition of the Club we will be supporting this very important anniversary on the day. Come early to get a seat. The entertainment will be in the afternoon with a duo giving a show titled “ Hitz from the Blitz.”

For those who want it there will be a bangers and mash lunch for only £2.99. In addition the restaurant will be open from noon to 9.00 p.m. those who want to eat in the relative quiet of the Ken Taylor Lounge and choose from our extensive menu.

Thursday 10th November Men’s Supper and Games Presentation Evening

Don’t forget to keep this evening free. It will be one to remember. We hope to be able to give a full programme in the next newsletter.


Saturday 18th March 2006 St Patrick’s Day Celebration

Thomas Bodkin, the son of a member of this club, is raising funds to go to India next year and help reconstruct a school for disadvantaged children. He is doing this as a part of the “World Challenge Expedition” through the Northampton School for Boys.

Amongst the activities for the night, he hopes to arrange an Irish Dancing Exhibition by the Clifford Baldry Academy; a Ceili Band; a raffle and possibly some food from genuine Irish recipes.

We are giving plenty of notice as we want to ensure the room is full for the benefit of Thomas in his fund-raising efforts; the school in India and our own members in celebrating St Patrick’s Day knowing they are supporting a great cause and having maximum fun at the
same time.

And Finally

With the children at home from school for the next several weeks, why not give yourselves and them a treat for the occasional lunch time and come in and have a bite to eat. The food is freshly cooked, tastily priced and there is no washing up afterwards. You will all love it. Food is served from Noon to 2.30pm and 5.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Monday to Thursday; Noon to 2.30 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. Friday; 11.00 am to 8.00 p.m. Saturday and Noon to 4.30 p.m. Sunday.


September 2005

Kingsley Park Working Men’s Club News September 2005

The Neighbourhood is Watching

You may have seen the advert in the Chronicle and Echo and the notice on the lamppost outside the Club for 28 days informing the public at large that we are applying for a club premises certificate under the Licensing Act 2003.

The advert is placed so that the public have a chance to complain about any aspect of the application.

A major area of concern in the complaints received is the disturbance caused in the area at the end of the evening.

It is appreciated that there is more than one property dispensing alcohol in the area and that we may not be guilty of all the charges levied against us. However, we are listing below the comments received and urge all to ensure that we are not responsible for any such behaviour in future.

1. Car doors being banged shut rather than carefully closed.
2. Car horns being used to say farewell.
3. People shouting rather than saying “Good night” to each other.
4. People urinating in alleyways.
5. People fighting at the end of the night.

Of course, it is inevitable that there will be a little noise with cars starting as we go home. Also no reasonable person would complain about normal levels of conversation, but the excesses listed above are not acceptable and any one of us having to suffer them would be entitled to be very displeased.

As we have said before, it cannot be proved that all of these complaints can be put at our doorstep. The number of people involved is a very small minority. Your Executive Committee urges everyone to do as the vast majority and show respect and courtesy to our neighbours at all times, especially at the end of the evening when many older folk, children, the sick and the plain tired people who live close only want peace, quiet and a good night’s sleep.

This is as much their right as, ours is to have a good time in the confines of the Club.

Thank You.

Loose Tongues Cost!!

Staff, members and even people totally outside the Club have heard the occasional injudicious statement over recent weeks that would purport to express the view and intended action of the Committee.

The rumour has been spread that the Management wishes to close down the catering operation from Monday to Thursday. This rumour is causing distress to staff and will obviously not please the many members who use the catering facilities during the week in the club.
We can confirm that, whilst all activities in the club are constantly monitored, the Committee has decided upon no such action.

It is a fact that in isolation the catering operation does not make money. It is equally a fact that a direct result of this operation is that the bar turnover has substantially increased against all trends.

The certain result of cutting back the catering operation will be a corresponding cut back in bar sales which will mean a corresponding cut back in money available for such things as the Senior Citizen’s Outing, Children’s Outing and Entertainment and will damage your club.

Your Committee is looking to improve efficiency and grow your Club. It is not so shortsighted as to take one item out of context and take action that would cause irrevocable damage to the Club.

Any action the Committee takes with regard to the Club’s activities will be formally notified either on notice boards or through the newsletter. Anything else can be ignored or you may ask the Secretary or President for confirmation.

E.C.

Entertainment September 2005

Friday 2nd Kaleidoscope Karaoke
Saturday 3rd Superstition Soul-Funk Band
Sunday 4th Billy De Laine Male Vocal/Entertainer
Friday 9th Kaleidoscope Karaoke
Saturday 10th Edge to Edge Male Duo
Sunday 11th ONV Male/Female Cabaret Duo
Friday 16th Kaleidoscope Karaoke
Saturday 17th Good 4 Tunes Excellent Male Duo
Sunday 18th The Vibe Band 70’s & 80’s
Friday 23rd Kaleidoscope Karaoke
Saturday 24th Dirty Carpet Popular Covers Band
Sunday 25th Irie White Male Pop/Reggae
Friday 30th Kaleidoscope Karaoke

As promised, we have arranged a top rate Karaoke as a trial for Friday nights this month. This is an adult entertainment. The microphone is open to all over the age of 16 years only. There will be the occasional free refreshment to the best performers through the evening. These should be great nights out for all. Come along and join the fun. If you make them work, we will keep them as a standard for Friday nights.

Bingo Sessions

Every Friday Eyes down 9.00 p.m.
Saturdays 3rd 10th &24th Eyes down 9.00 p.m.
Every Sunday Eyes down 8.45 p.m.


Greene King –Sport of Kings Prize Draw

The draw has taken place for free tickets to the Newmarket Race Meeting to be held on 1st October. This is a great meeting featuring the Cambridgeshire Handicap and The Sun Chariot Stakes.

The winners are: -
S Bee 5 tickets C Billingham 6 tickets M Brett 7 tickets K Fardon 1 ticket
A Harris 6 tickets D Hewitt 3 tickets R Horner 1 ticket J O’Neill 3 tickets
T Peasnell 2 tickets B Scotney 1 ticket G Seed 1 ticket J Seed 1 ticket
J Smith 2 tickets D Taylor 7 tickets S Wag 1 ticket M Watts 1 ticket
E Williams 1 ticket B Wilson 1 ticket

As notified, the cost of the coach to the meeting is £10.00 per ticket. Please deposit this with the Secretary by 11th September.

If you do not wish to use all the tickets you have won please inform the Secretary immediately.

If you have not won a ticket, and are interested in obtaining any unclaimed by the winners please inform the Secretary as soon as possible. We will devise a fair means of distribution.

Christmas is coming!

Look out for the Christmas Draw Tickets. They will be available during September. With a top prize of £1000 and a plethora of other prizes to salivate over we are sure you will want to get in quick and have a go.

Games News

Ladies Darts

Congratulations to Kath Maclean and Katrina Birch for winning the Charity Pairs Competition on 11th August this year.

Money raised from this event is donated to local charities as decided at the league AGM.

Kingsley Park Youth Games Club

One of the success stories of the Club this year has been the re-launch of this club for 8 to 17 year olds. Under adult supervision our children are taught Pool, Skittles and Darts. Initially we opened for two hours, but the numbers have increased to the extent that we now open from 1 to 4 p.m. every Saturday.

Children are welcome without charge. The only thing we request is that parents stay in the games room and support their children. The bar is open in the games room for the duration of the club. If not in the games room we must insist a responsible adult is on the premises at all times.



Games Secretaries Youth Pool League

As a part of the club we are now part of an inter-club Pool League. A report compiled by two members of the Club is as follows: -



Monks Park match report

It was the second game of the season for both teams. Monks Park took the lead, but thanks to Daniel Betts he brought the singles to two each. Monks Park then took the lead. Matthew and Daniel Betts put in an outstanding effort to bring the match to 3 all, then James Freeland and Chris Norman won their match and Kingsley won the match 4 legs to 3.

Moulton match report

This was Moulton’s first match and Kingsley’s third, but it was a hard match for Kingsley as it could easily have gone either way. In the singles Daniel Betts stood out with a great game against the opposition. Unfortunately I don’t know the opponent’s name. The doubles all played extremely well so it was hard to decide who was the best, but Moulton did well in the end of it. Kingsley won 7-0.

Chris & Steve

SKY T.V. PREMPLUS SEASON TICKET

Your Committee has listened to your comments about the Club providing this source of entertainment and has now signed up as requested by so many of you who missed seeing the premier games at the Club.

The Management has done it’s bit; now we look forward to the hoards of you who have requested this to support the Club when matches are shown.

Good sport; good drink; good food and good company all under one roof. The roof of Kingsley Park Working Men’s Club. From time to time there may be special promotions on food and drink for some matches. These will be decided at short notice, so you will have to be here to benefit.

Thank You from Judi Slasberg

I would like to thank the Executive Committee for allowing me to hold two Tombolas again this year on the Club forecourt. I would also like to thank the many members who supported by purchasing tickets and making donations.

We raised £180.00 in total, which is going to the Haemophelia Society based at Oxford where many of our local victims of this illness are treated.

Once again, thank you most sincerely.

Judi Slasberg

Dates for the Diary

Tuesdays 6th & 20th September Quiz Nights

Aces High is looking to top £200 on 6th. The questions are proving an enjoyable challenge. The culture of original poetry is an inspiration to all. The mid-evening snack satisfies the physical needs to compliment the satisfaction of educational, cultural and possible financial needs of everyone present. Be there at 8.30 p.m. You’ll kick yourself if you miss out!

Thursday 22nd September RACE NIGHT

That’s right! The sport of Kings is back at Kingsley Park Working Men’s Club. Don’t miss the inaugural meeting of the new season. The first race is at about 8.30 p.m. With the nights drawing in, what better way to spend an evening in the week? The thrill of the race, the pleasure of good company and the enjoyment of good refreshment. Just one this month, but if the demand is there we will be up to two before you know it. Make your feelings known to the Committee!

Thursday 10th November Men’s Supper and Games Presentation Evening

We are still finalising the programme for this major event. Tommy Docherty is our after dinner speaker, part of a full programme of entertainment. Tickets will be available towards the end of September. Keep an eye on the notice boards as we anticipate they will go very quickly.

And Finally

Following the complaints received concerning our application for registration under the 2003 Licensing Act as reported in the lead article, your President and Secretary are attending a hearing before three Councillors on 30th August.

A report of that hearing will be put on the notice board as soon as the results are known. Your Executive Committee will stress the excellent behaviour of the vast majority of members and associates who use the club and are confident that, if there is any justice in the world, this will carry a lot of weight when our case is considered