Chairman’s Message
Dear Fellow Members,
It’s July, it should be the second week of the Wimbledon championships, schools are breaking up for the holidays, and whilst much has changed and continues to change, one thing doesn’t and that is the British weather. It’s damp and cool, but nevertheless the golf course and tennis courts continue to be busy.
The recent changes to ease the lockdown have been very welcome and it was a real joy to see the opening of the Bar, Terrace, and extension of the food and beverage offerings we can provide. I have heard many complimentary comments on what our management team have been able to do and on the way our staff have adapted and continue to offer us a great service.
The team will be implementing the new initiatives announced by the Chancellor yesterday:
The VAT reduction to 5% will be passed onto Members in full by a temporary reduction in selling prices of the items affected for six months starting in mid-July.
If eligible we will register for the Eat Out to Help Out scheme offering discounts to Members on food and non-alcoholic beverages on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings in August.
Annual General Meeting
This must be held by 20th August under our Articles of Association. Members will have received an email last week about election of Directors stating that the AGM will be held on 19th August. In accordance with Government regulations, the AGM will be a “virtual” meeting to be held as a webinar, more details of which will be published nearer the time. It will not be possible for Members to attend in person.
Exceptionally, this year the AGM will be held to conduct purely formal business: the receipt of the Annual Report and Accounts, the reappointment of the auditors, and either to receive the outcome of the ballot for the election of Directors or to approve the reappointment of the outgoing Directors. The Board and I very much hope that we will be able to revert to our normal format and timing in May next year, but who knows?
Online Member Forum
Meanwhile, we are mindful that Members may have questions or issues that they would like to raise, which might have been raised at the AGM or at informal forums or through our various committees in normal times. We propose therefore to hold an informal online forum on 11th August again by webinar to allow Members to question the Board and management and fuller details will be provided nearer the time. We are currently examining the various technology options available. The format is likely that registration will be required at which point a Member will then be able to submit that question. If there are a large number of questions, we will have to combine those which raise similar points to arrive at a manageable number. I acknowledge this is not an ideal arrangement, but I hope that Members will bear with us and show their usual patience and forbearance.
Lastly, while some of you may be planning to spend some time away on holiday or will be staying at home to enjoy the Club with some sunny weather hopefully, can I thank all Members once more for their patience and support of the Club during this trying time.
Management has just received the go ahead tonight to open the Outdoor Pool within the next few days and the Gym plus Indoor Pool from the 25th July which is welcome news. This as ever will be done in a Covid secure and controlled way with details to follow.
The Club continues to be a safe haven for all Members to play their sport and meet up with friends so please take advantage where you can.
Best wishes,
Alan