Clay Cross CC

Have found out today - at last - that we have permission to sell alcohol on school premises, subject to correct licenses of course.

Am now waiting for a 'cost' but in the meantime would someone like to come and look at the hall and facilities because I am definitely not making any decision on my own.

Not too sure about whether we will have use of the kitchen - this does not come under the school remit and may be expensive so that also needs to be considered.

Will have to weigh up whether the 'profit' to the club in having their own bar is worth not having cold beers!! This is not a definite no to the kitchen and there are a couple of fridges elsewhere in school which may be 'available' but it does need some thought.

I think the best time to let the hall would be the first weekend of October half term because I am willing to go in to clean up on the Monday (not Sunday due to predicted hangover!)- which will keep the costs down but obviously that cant be done if kids are in.

I am at work Mon, Thurs & Fri 8.00 - 4.00 if anyone wants to come and take a look before I let them know whether we are going ahead with it.

Lots to think about!!!!!!!!

Julie.....thanks again for your hard work trying to sort it.

My worry is as you say....i'm not sure whether saving a few quid on venue but having little in the way of cold beer\food etc would be worth it. I think it would put off a lot bar the hardcore that would turn up if we held it on the outfield in the middle of November!! There is also the issue that historically our club do's organised in a hurry are generally poorly attended and if we had to do it in Oct half term i think we are looking at about 4 weeks to sort it and get people there.

Over the last few years when we've had it at the social centre i've managed to drag along a fair few non club people to boost the numbers betting on the race night, having a go at raffles etc but i think i would struggle to do this if it was down at the school. My preference, if it matters, would be to stay at the social centre sometime in November giving us time to get it advertised, people sort themselves to go along and we know what we are getting and people can get others to go along.

Julie...please dont take this as a criticism of your hard work looking into the alternative venue...not intended as such. Just trying to give an opinion to aid the decision making process.

I agree with Branson - couldn't have said it better myself

again Julie thanks for the efforts in sorting this, but in my opinion we've had 2 decent dos at the social centre so why change it?

Also anything at the school would involve more effort from club members running the bar, doing the food etc etc

Also are the facilities in the school able to cater for loads of big fat cricketers? Would the chairs be big enough etc etc

Lots to think about and thanks Julie for your efforts

I'll obviously be going to the do wherever it is, just a bit upset that it's the first year since I have been at the club where I haven't won the 2nd team batting award!

I think the social centre has been quite a decent little venue to be honest. I remember a few years ago when we had them at Shirland Golf Club and the Family Club at Chesterfield and we struggled to get a good turn out, since those do's the last couple have been ok.

I know the club is not blessed with loads of cash but with all the fundraising (Bravo's Bonus Ball/ Sponsorship etc) and the sucess of the bar this year (Brampton Brewery/ Aussie Game/ Cup Final etc) im sure were not that hard up to have a half decent do somewhere.

Again Julie im not criticizing your efforts, I think you have worked wonders for the club over this season and previous ones. I just think if we hold it at a shcool it may put a few folks off.

Yes costs did come into the thought but was not the main issue It was felt a different venue might be better as last year we had complaints that the beer was sh*** cr** rather poor & too dear. Julie has responded to a request to see if we could try something different. This included a suggestion of a Marquee but the thoughts of heating & lighting it made this a no no. The head teacher is amenble to us using the place but I must admit I had no thought the possibility of Planty & a number of others sitting on chairs & tables intended for 3ft 6 year olds.
I personally would like us to try it but we must have food & need to solve the table & chair problem.

who said anything about sitting in a field in november??? the SCHOOL is being proposed not the outfield!

this would be in the school gym lovely and warm and the fat knackers could sit on crash matts if they want.

each year at the old farts centre means we pay for the venue and we give someone else all of the drinks money.

we (or MATT specifically) has already demonstrated that we can offer cask ale in addition to canned lager etc.

by doing this the club would make some serious cash if people (in addition to the norm) can get off their arses and put a little bit of effort in.

having said that we couldnt get people to volounteer to do a bbq for a few hours so clay cross old farts it is then. Enjoy

from a personnel point of view venue at school would suit me as i could stagger home in 5 minutes, on a non personnel view as long as people are given enough time to sort themselves out i dont think there would be a problem in attending the do as there is not much in it distance wise between school & social centre,also regarding the beer the brampton bar is available (already checked it out) if we want it & if we have a couple of fridges for cans problem solved (although julie would take one up just with her strongbow;-)),from a food point hot food would be prefered but if needs be i am sure a cold buffet would do (just needs a little bit of effort from people) so the only thing that could be an issue is table & chairs ,
also you really should come & see the school a lot lot nice than social centre

Another thought.....................

As I understand it when you hire the social centre you actually pay separately for the kitchen, main room and bar - each being an amount per hour. There is no reason you cant hire the main room and kitchen without the bar.

Would it be worth finding out if you can run your own bar if you got the correct license. Probably a long shot because they will also be thinking about money to be made but you never know.

And I don't drink THAT MUCH strongbow - well only on Saturdays in the cricket season ;-)

also had another thought that st barnabus hire their room out which has a bar, if thats not where we wont to go i do know they have a lot of table & chairs (all stacked up on easily movable racks) if we could borrow them?

WE once asked if we could run our own bar at the Social Centre & it made us as popular as piles on Frankie Dettori. I think we should give the school a chance as long as we can solve the food problem. I am more than happy to run the bar all night as it will avoid me doing the anouncer bit. Johnny Bravo was going to do it last year before he got double booked. John will you do it this year please?
I am only one voice though & whatever you want I am happy to go along with.

so I've been sacked as Compere after only one go?

seriously, think Bravo should do it anyway - talking is his specialist subject

Provisional date 21 November. Venue to be advised.

We were,nt able to pull the deal together at the school so the "do" will be at the Social Centre on 21 November. Full details + costings etc to follow.

We desperately need back the player of the year shields for the 1st,2nd & 3rd teams as they need engraving. Who has them? Can anyone remember? Also urgently required is the duck prize. Kipper, have you got it?
Date definite for 21 November.

I've got the duck award.....

So who won the player of year shields last year then? We really do need them back as there is 2 years worth of engraving to do

2nds - 2008 - think it was Mark Harland

1sts - 2008 was Sunil.

In 2007 ive got a feeling it was either Paul Lemon or Branno but Jon might of won it in 2006 (im sure he will be able to clarify)!

The Race Night man has let us down. Help!!! Anybody know anyone?