1993

1993

In 1993 the Club's aims would be to develop plans for the Children's Play area and to find a use for the extra 6.5 acres of land added to the Lease at Murston Park .

At the Main Club Committee meeting in March the sub committee for the Children's Play area Rusty Burgin, Alan Rose and Brian Sherwood put forward an idea to the committee that the project be moved from outside to in for security reasons and for all year round use. Rusty Burgin had drawn some sketches of an extension and the committee agreed to adopt these ideas.

At the Annual General Meeting in May the Chairman explained that a major re-think had taken place and thoughts turned to building an extension primarily to house a playroom/games area for the children, but the committee had looked at a longer term plan to include an extension to the lounge and games area and to include extra toilets .

In June the Architect was instructed to prepare drawings for the granting of full building regulations after outline planning permission was granted on the 20 th May. In August we awaited a structural engineers report and some clarification on drainage. An Application for a grant of £130,000 put together by the Club's Officers went to The Foundation for Sports and A 934 rts in December for the proposed building and renovation work; this had the support of David Thomas of Swale Borough Council.

In February the main club committee drew up some likely costs to get the tennis courts and bowling green in order with the idea of approaching the “Sports Aid Foundation”. quotes went to the council of £23,500 for two tennis courts plus £3,600 for floodlighting and the bowling green estimate was £35,000.

The Fishing section was formed in February and their first event was held at deal on 19 th March.

In the meantime the social committee under the chairmanship of A lan Rose continued with its drive to raise funds to equip the children's room. In September A lan reported that the fund stood at £8,300. May Bank Holiday activities raised £740 and august bank holiday £817, a boot fair £184 but this was just three of the activities. A donation from George Moss in memory of his wife Nellie was very thankfully accepted.

The Social Committee throughout the year organised a Valentine's Night with Karaoke and Disco, Music Nights in the bar, a Hen Night, Wine & Wisdom, Easter Egg Hunt and Bonnet Parade, a Horse Racing Night where the horses were pulled down the hall, the Club's Dinner/Dance, music in the bar on Carnival Night, the Children's Christmas Party followed by a Disco for the older children, New Year's Eve Disco and Boxing Day lunchtime disco with Eclipse.

The members of the Social Committee were: Alan Rose, Janet Pilgrim, Marion Gunn, Mary-Anne Seager, Gary Whitehead, Jackie and Mally White, Tricia Shepherd, Sharon Drake, Doreen Arnold, Sue Ledger, Alison Marriott, Pauline Saunders, Barbara Green, Terry Wellard and George Moss.

To add to these events the Sections were also doing their own thing. Table Tennis entered some novice players found within the Club into a handicap competition and Bob O'Rawe was really proud when they walked off with several trophies.

The Golf Society enjoyed seven outings and the annual Society Championship, based on the results at all the venues throughout the year, was won by Chris Keen. Janet Pilgrim Secretary of Badminton reported to the Annual General Meeting that although they only had 10 members they still played at Rowena Sports Centre on a Monday night.

David Burgin bowled 200 overs during the Cricket Season and was once again “Player of the Year”, and Trevor Smith had his moments with the bat. The Officers for the Cricket section were Trevor Smith Chairman, Brian Bartlett and Steve Taylor Treasurer. In the meantime the Gardening Section had their greatest number of entries in the Make, Bake and Grow Show and had various speakers and outings throughout the year culminating in their Christmas Party/Beatle Drive.

John Rees had been Chairman of the Indoor Games Section since its formation on 18 May 1988 and after 4 years he decided a new face was due; Sandra Tapp and Jackie Sherwood who had sat on either side of John then welcomed their new Chairman Andy Glazier. In her report to the Annual General Meeting Sandra reported that meetings had been attended by Terry Wellard the main fund raiser, Bob O'Rawe Table Tennis and also the Section's representative on the Section's Committee, Fred Cornelius pool, Nick Graham pool and quiz, Ray Oddy Quiz and Monday Night Games and our representative on the Bar Committee, Una Burgin and Janet Pilgrim Ladies Darts, Barry Clark Men's Darts and John Taylor Indoor Bowls.

At the Annual General Meeting in May Dave Matthews the Football Section Secretary reported that both senior teams would finish in the top four and the Social side won the midweek 5 a-side league at the Rowena Sports Centre. He thanked Archie Huntley and Brian Bartlett for “continuing to prepare one of the best playing surfaces in Kent” Eddie Pilgrim Secretary of the Youth Section reported that the eight teams had done well, four sides getting to semi finals of cups, one to the final and the U.16 team won their league. Both Sheppey League teams won the “Sportsman's Trophy” for their Division. Trevor Shepherd became the new Chairman of the Section.

The Bar Committee had a busy year apart from doing what their name implies, they were running the Tote and organising the Summer Knock-Out Competition the overall winner being Wayne East. Through the suggestion box the committee had implemented new up to date Jackpot Machines, Sky Television, trial extended opening Sunday lunchtime to 3 p.m., and they put forward the private function drinks rule which was passed at the Annual General Meeting. The committee comprised of: Terry Wellard, Colin Gunn, Nick Graham, Colin Newnham who was replaced by Roger Ford in June and Paul Rider.

At the Annual General Meeting in May which was mainly dominated by the proposed extension, the Chairman reported: “Negotiations have been concluded for the Club to take over an additional 6.5 acres of land; this has been achieved at a considerable discount to the rent the Club was originally paying. Seeding has taken place and it is hoped that the actual take over would be later in the year”. Swale Borough Council had planted some 1500 trees around the perimeter. In February an amended Lease had been signed by the Club's Trustees. Due to Archie Huntley's health Brian Bartlett became our Groundsman with Brian Roalf helping.

Rules Changes were made to Rule 10 (i) Members can not be elected into officership unless they have served as a committee member for at least one year; and (iii) At no time can employees of the Club be elected into officership. The Membership also agreed that renewal of membership would stay at £6 and for new members £18.

Geoff Marriott reported Membership at 1,597 in total including 619 Full Members, he thanked Brian and Paul Sherwood, Alan Rose and Adam Bulley for their help with the massive task the Membership Secretary has.

The new committee elected at the Annual General Meeting was: Rusty Burgin Chairman, Brian Sherwood General Secretary, Peter Scales Treasurer, Land Secretary, Brian Bartlett, Social Alan Rose, Sections Colin Gunn, Membership Geoff Marriott, Bar Terry Wellard, Editor Roger Holden, General Committee Members: John Page, Steve Drake, Neil Matthews. John Page to be the committee's representative on the Bar Committee.

The interior of the Club suffered when water came through at the south end of the Games Room, in the light of this Colin Gunn was given the authority to carry out emergency repairs for electrical and plumbing faults to the sum of £200. It was agreed in April to carpet the games room up to a line adjacent to the entrance door at a cost of £3,062.56.

At the Club's Presentation Dinner the Club's Awards were presented by George Moss to Member of the Year Paul Rider, Lady of the Year Judie Page, Murston Park Shield Bob O'Rawe, and the Chairman's Award went to Peter Scales.

In July it was agreed to make the wall to the left of the Club safe at a cost of £650, we asked for quotes for outside furniture and agreed to purchase a new glass washer. Two mountain bikes a prize from the brewery were raffled in aid of the Play Area, and Brian Bartlett purchased a hedge trimmer and Hayter Mower at a sale.

Throughout the year we had three lots of unwelcome visitors causing extra work for both Colin Gunn and Brian Bartlett.

Out on the park the two Brian's – Bartlett and Roalf did their usual magic with the land. In June Brian Bartlett expressed concern about the length of the grass in the new parcel of land which needed cutting and weeding. A meeting with Swale Borough Council took place and we took over the new land on 1 August. Brian recommended that we did not do anything for a year. In November the possibility of levelling the back field was under consideration and Brian reported that all the hedges had been trimmed.

Due to free promotions from the brewery it was agreed prior to Christmas to treat our O.A.P's to a 25p discount on their drinks on Thursday, Friday and Saturday lunchtimes by way of a Christmas treat. The Christmas festivities organised by the Social Committee were very successful.