School Lane, Hopwas, Tamworth, Staffordshire, B78 3AD
Telephone 01827 62684

 

 

Hello Everyone,

I hope this finds you all well and that most of you have received your vaccination jab, or are very close to having it.
I know one person who unfortunately hasn't been very well, (not Covid related), and that is our vice Chair, Barbara Weir. We send her all our very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

The Committee met this week, via Zoom, to discuss the details and financial implications regarding the re-opening of the club, in line with the dates announced by the government around its 'Roadmap' for the COVID-19 recovery strategy. As I'm sure many of you are aware, outdoor hospitality can resume, with table service only, from the 12th April, and all being well, pubs and clubs can allow people indoors from the 17th May. Then, with fingers and everything else crossed that there are no major spikes, these restrictions will be lifted on the 21st June, when all legal limits on social contact will be removed. HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!

Your Committee has taken the decision to not open the club on the 12th April but to wait until Monday 17th May, when members will be allowed back into both the bar and function room, pending positive news from government figures. This is a decision that has not been taken lightly, and has been based on sound advice and two major factors. Firstly, and most unpredictably, is the weather. The club cannot afford to be reliant on those 5 weeks between the 12th April and the 17th May to be sunny and mild enough to encourage people to sit out in the garden. For the few hardy souls that may want to venture out we understand that this will come as a disappointment, however we must consider the club as a whole and in particular the second factor for making this decision. This one is much more predictable and relates to the financial implications of opening on the 12th April. If we have a heat wave and have throngs of customers sitting out in the garden then we will have missed out on taking some decent money, however if the weather is dreadful and we have hardly anybody turn up, then the club will risk making a substantial loss. There is a risk of taking staff off the Furlough scheme and having to pay their wages when there may not be any customers, and also paying for stock that may not be consumed and then go to waste just for the sake of 5 weeks.

During this unprecedented last year, with lockdown closures and restrictions, the club has managed to maintain a strong and stable financial position, due to excellent work by our Treasurer, Mark Hurley, great stock management by our steward, Jabba, and some decisive and prudent decision making from the Committee. It would cancel out all that good work if we incurred substantial losses at this late stage, so I ask that we all be patient and wait until we can invite you back into the building to have a proper sociable drink with each other, regardless of weather and with full stock levels.

Other news to update you on is the confirmation that this year's Beer Festival is cancelled again, with the lifting of restrictions coming too late to save the event; however I'm delighted to tell you that the Village Show will still take place later on in the year, on the 11th September.

Also the club will be the new Polling station for Hopwas for the upcoming local elections. Historically they have used Thomas Barnes School however due to the current situation they have looked for an alternative venue and our club is ideal.
Good to be doing our bit for the local community.

Finally, and because we are aware of all the time you've not been able to attend your club, we are still deferring your membership fees for this year and will be crediting those who have already paid by direct debit.

Here's looking forward to you all returning to the club at some stage after the 17th May, not only when you will get to see all the improvements that have been carried out during lockdown, but most importantly of all, when you will be able to meet up and socialise with friends and members once again and enjoy a drink or two in a safe and friendly environment.

Look forward to seeing you soon.


Phil Robins

 


 

 

 

Coton & Hopwas Social Club 2021

 

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