Language matters

SEVERAL complaints have been received recently regarding swearing and the use of bad language in the club.

This club has always prided itself on the standards of behaviour upheld by its members, making it a place where members of all ages can sit with wives, husbands, partners and friends without being subjected to the sort of language that can unfortunately be overheard in so many other venues. We intend to ensure that those standards are maintained.

We would hope this can be done by self-policing. Think before you speak and if a member of your group is becoming over boisterous with their language a quiet word is usually more effective than an intervention by another member.

It is obviously not possible to have a director on duty 11 hours a day. However, this matter is dealt with in the rule book and if necessary action will be taken against persistent offenders. Swearing happens, it is a sad fact of life. But when in the club the golden rule is: If it can be heard by the next table IT IS TOO LOUD.

Step into Christmas (and New Year)

TICKETS are now on sale for the traditional Christmas Eve New Year's Eve events. After many years of static prices it has been necessary to put up prices this year, owing to the increasing costs of artists and other overheads. Consequently tickets on both nights will be £10 a head.

Despite the increase that is still great value for money. Entertainment on Christmas Eve will be provided by Kirk James. In a new venture this year, the ticket price also includes a buffet.

Our artist on New Year's Eve will be The Voice of Diamond. He was great success at our first double tribute night in May and there were many requests for a return visit. Looking at ticket prices at other venues, many not offering entertainment, we believe this is the best value for money in the area.

Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve tickets are available to members only. Members may buy tickets for their guests but there is a limit of two guests only per member.

And there's plenty going on during the build-up to Christmas.

Children's Christmas Party - Sunday, December 10 1pm-4pm. Tickets cost £3. A visit from Santa Claus and Mrs Claus. All children will receive a gift, so no need to provide presents.

Your number's up - Thursday bingo Christmas special, Thursday, December 14 8pm.

Rock the Rec Christmas party featuring VIG VAM BAM - Friday, December 15. Tickets £5. Glam up for Christmas with all those favourites from the early 1970s. (Members please note, in keeping with all other Rock the Rec nights this event is also open to the public. Members are advised to buy their tickets well in advance to avoid disappointment.)

Saturday artist nights

AS agreed at the recent Annual General Meeting Saturday artist nights in the concert room for members and guests will be held once a month. It was also agreed that whenever possible the upstairs evenings would take place on the second Saturday of each month.
Artist nights 2024:

Saturday, January 13
Saturday, February 10
Saturday, March 9
Saturday, April 13
Saturday, May 25
Saturday, June 22

Admission will continue to be held at £3 a head. As soon as the artists are announced details will be displayed on posters in the club, on our website and Facebook page.

We hope giving such advance notice will enable members to book the dates in their diaries, resulting in improved attendances at these nights.

It's that time again

AND as sure as night follows day a New Year means it's time for members to pay their annual subscription fee.

Subs for 2024 will remain held at 2023 prices: £25 a year (equivalent to 48p a week); £15 (equivalent to 29p a week) for members aged 65 and over with 10 years unbroken membership; and free for Life members (30 years unbroken membership). Subs can be paid on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday lunchtimes 1pm-2pm; Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings 8pm-9m. The online payment facility will again be available.

Subs can be paid in person from Monday, January 8 and the closing date will be Thursday, February 29. As usual there will be a £10 surcharge for any subscriptions paid after this date.

And finally...

AS has been the case with all clubs, 2023 has been another difficult year. But we've survived and at last can feel that there is light at the end of what has been a very long and dark tunnel.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I thank members - both long standing and new - for your support and hope this will continue through 2024. A happy Christmas and peaceful New Year to everyone.

Nigel Thompson
chairman, Crossgates & District Recreation Hall Ltd