SECRETARY'S JUNE UPDATE
28/06/12
Club Update
Clubhouse Development
The last update indicated that the upstairs room (members’ area) would be finished by 29th June. In fact progress has been slightly slower than hoped for but any delay should only be minimal. Work has already started on the rails for the balcony and completion of the balcony is likely to take a further two weeks work. Outside, the stone flooring has been laid to link up with the existing paving along the colonnade and will be laid to the west of the building. Once that work has been completed a small lawn will be laid between the western end of the building and the start of the slipway/dinghy park.
Offices
All staff have now moved back to the clubhouse from the old Lloyds Bank building. Some IT teething problems were experienced initially but all have now been resolved, except in Accounts where Janet’s computer malfunctioned, resulting in the loss of some files. Work is ongoing to try and recover these files so members are asked to be patient, should their account be affected.
General Committee Decisions
On Monday the General Committee unanimously agreed on a number of decisions that impact on the Club. These were as follows:
• Sunday Lunches - It was decided to discontinue Sunday roasts until September. Instead, alternatives such as a seafood buffet, would be available.
• Happy Hour - It was agreed that happy hour would run from 1800 – 1930 hours on Friday and, in addition, there would be a happy hour on Tuesdays, also from 1800-1930 hours. This will take effect from 3rd July 2012.
• Bar and Catering Price Increases - It was agreed that there would be no increase in catering or bar prices until January 2013, with the exception of beer, lager cider and Guinness. These would increase slightly by a few pence, with effect from Monday 2nd July 2012.
• Smoking - It was decided that the only place that smoking would be allowed on club premises would be the north eastern balcony. This ban on smoking extends to the jetty, driveway, colonnade, car park and dinghy park This bye-law would take effect from Monday 2nd July.
Round the Island Yacht Race - The Club will be open at 07:00 on Saturday, 30th June 2012 for the Round the Island Yacht Race. Breakfast will be served from 08:00 – 10:00 at a cost of £4.95 for a Continental or Light Breakfast and £ 8.50 for a Full English. Sign up on the list in the Club foyer.
21st JUNE 2012
Clubhouse Update
The downstairs bar duly opened on Friday 15th June. As mentioned in last week’s report, there is still some finishing work necessary and it is hoped that by this Friday curtains will be in place, which should help with the noise level. The outstanding downstairs kitchen equipment (fryers, fridges and pizza oven) is due to arrive today and provided there are no problems with the installation the intention will be to serve light bites downstairs on Friday and Saturday. This weekend the downstairs bar and kitchen will both be open on Friday from 1800-2100 hours and on Saturday from 1200-1800 hours. From Sunday 24th June until Thursday 28th June the downstairs bar will be closed but should open again on Friday 29th June. The House Committee and then the General Committee will be looking at opening times for July onwards and these will be promulgated next week. Timings will be kept under review, depending on demand and members’ wishes.
The upstairs members’ area is nearing completion and should be finished by the end of next week allowing members to look around the rooms. The intention is that this part of the clubhouse will become fully operational by 6th July. One job that the contractor needs to finish is varnishing the new handrails for the stairs. The first coat will be applied on Monday 25th June, so members are requested to use the lift on that date. Outside, the final part of rendering to the south façade should be applied, weather permitting, and then all that remains will be to finish the ground works to the south and west of the building. Thereafter, there will undoubtedly be a few minor points to be rectified but Phase I will then be complete.
Membership Issues
Members may recall that an incentive scheme was in place five years ago whereby the proposer plus new member recruited would both receive a free meal to the tune of £20 per head. This scheme proved to be very successful and will be introduced from 1st July 2012.
!5th JUNE 2012
Clubhouse Update
As can be seen, building work has moved on quickly in the last ten days. All the glass windows and doors have now been placed in position on both floors. Unfortunately, one of the glass doors was found broken on arrival, hence the temporary one pane infill. It is hoped that the correct double-glazed panel will arrive later on today.
The downstairs bar is now almost finished although there is still some minor paint and electrical work to be completed in the bar area, plus additional work on the downstairs kitchen. Unfortunately, the electronic tills cannot be positioned until the server and the wiring to the tills are installed on 27th June. The furniture for downstairs has arrived.
Upstairs, work continues apace. In addition to the windows, plastering is near completion and the contractors are in the process of laying the wooden floor in the upstairs extension. Work is on schedule to complete upstairs by 29th June. This will leave levelling the areas to the south and west of the building and work linked to this. Finally, the staff will move back into their offices between 27th and 29th June (BT willing). 
Members have obviously been asking when the downstairs bar will be open. The answer is that the new bar will be open this Friday (15th June) so that the Club can test all the systems (less the tills) prior to a final testing the following weekend, when the downstairs kitchen should hopefully be open for light meals, prior to full opening on 29th June. Work to the upstairs extension should also be finished by this date. For tonight, happy hour prices will apply (i.e. 25% off for the duration) and we will be running a cash bar although members will be able to sign chits, which will be subsequently debited to their accounts.
01/06/2012
Clubhouse Development
The Haddonstone cladding for the balcony is now virtually complete, as is the brick work for the extension. Downstairs, the bar itself is now finished and the stone flooring has been laid and grouted except for small areas around the doors. In addition, the downstairs kitchen has been white-rocked. Moving to the south of the building, a drainage channel has been laid to the east of the front door and the surrounding area has been prepared for tarmac to be laid. Finally, dentils have been fixed to the soffits.
Looking ahead, next week should see windows in place, both upstairs and downstairs, and the scaffolding should be removed, except around the chimney, which will be built up. In the downstairs bar area, the skirting board and doors will be positioned as will shelving behind the bar. Finally, the handrail up the stairs should be secured. The plan remains for the downstairs bar to open on 14th June, while upstairs should come on line two weeks later.
Rear Commodore (House)
Last week members were informed that Tina Raymond had stepped down as Rear Commodore (House). The General Committee elected Nigel Hawkes as the incoming Rear Commodore and he assumed the appointment on 28th May.
Celebration Ball
It was mentioned in the last update that the date for the Celebration Ball was 18th August, with tickets priced at £75 each. Planning is well-advanced and a full update will be sent out soon.
Car Passes
Evidence came to light last week of a non club member using a member’s car pass to park not only one, but two, vehicles. Members are reminded that a car pass purchased by them is for their use only. Abuse of a pass could see that pass withdrawn.
Member’s Function 9th June
There will be a member’s private function in the clubhouse on Saturday 9th June, which will occupy the dining room and a large bar of the bar. When the booking was originally taken in 2011 it was thought that the downstairs bar would be open for members; unfortunately delays meant that it won’t be available for another week. The club will be open as usual on Saturday but from 1530 hours access for members will be restricted to the west end of the bar. My apologies for any inconvenience caused but looking on the bright side, the extra space should mean fewer, or no, such problems, post 29th June.
Closure of Yar Bridge
A message received from the Harbour indicates that the Yar Bridge will not be opened for river traffic after the 1000 hours opening on Saturday 14th July until 1430 hours that afternoon. This is to ensure that there will be no hiccoughs to the smooth passage of the torch which passes twice through Yarmouth on that day.