COFFEE MORNINGS (last revised 2019)

  During our winter off season, on Saturdays when the clubhouse is not in use (most Saturdays in fact) between about a dozen (on a rainy morning) and sometimes in excess of sixty (President’s morning) of our club members gather together between 10.00 and 11.30 for a ‘natter’ over a hot drink and a bite. These events are notified to all by email from Maurice Thorens.

The atmosphere is always convivial and friendly and the cost minimal. Conversation ranges over everything you could possibly imagine, though obviously bowling takes pride of place. 

HOW DO THEY DO IT?

The voluntary hosts (2 or 3 members) put their names on the list on the Ladies notice board against their preferred Saturday.

On their selected morning the hosts will open both perimeter gates and the clubhouse pavilion using their own keys soon after 09.00. 

Once in the clubhouse, they then open the kitchen, the serving shutter, the two side doors and both toilets. 

They will turn on the large water-heater for the hot drinks because this takes some time to heat up. Switching the heater on at wall first then rocker switch on the machine itself.

They should also switch on the dishwasher – instructions are on the wall

They may already have discussed with the hosts from the previous coffee morning (or checked for themselves during the week) what is available by way of stored provisions.

Before arriving the hosts will have purchased teacakes; maybe doughnuts or other alternative fare, along with any required regular provisions that may be short (milk; butter; jam etc.). The money they spend will be deducted at the end from their morning’s take. Their's is a black art in calculating requirements, how many to feed? Somewhere around 24 teacakes are regularly required but they will need to have some to spare in case of a large turnout.  

The hosts will turn on the wall room-heaters as required. The two on the front wall have switches just above them (trace the trunking up from the heaters) with red lights to show when ‘on’. The two heaters on the back wall have remote switches. These are just under the lottery draw machine (near the bar). The switches with obvious red lights are for the ceiling fans, but the two below have a red light built into the rocker that will show when they are switched on.

The normal offering is tea or coffee with biscuits for (currently) 80p. Light-bites are also offered for an additional (currently) 80p. Usually toasted teacakes, though sometimes doughnuts or other alternatives the host may decide, will be offered. The choice is theirs as is the price they charge. (note for hosts: the current toaster will toast a half teacake just about right when set to about 1.5 mins. A little more perhaps when machine cold, but less when the machine is in constant use)

When the clamour dies down, the hosts will  wash up all the plates and cups etc in the dishwasher (following instructions posted on the wall).  

The hosts count up how much money they have taken. They list this amount; subtract their costs (reimbursements for all purchases) and the resulting figure is the profit. This amount of cash, along with their calculations, will be placed in an envelope and posted in the letterbox by the bar for the treasurer. Any unsold teacakes will be frozen down in the freezer in the the ladies toilets, for the next hosts.

The floor may need vacuuming and the following close-up (checklist) procedure followed.

Check list for closing up after everyone has left.

Dishwasher emptied /cleaned / switched off.

Water heater switched off at wall and rocker.

All pots put away and kitchen tidy.

Shutter down and locked (key on kitchen set)

Kitchen door closed and locked

Room-Heaters switched off

Main room neat and tidy

Toilets locked, check taps turned off. Keys back on keyboard.

Side doors (to pavilion) closed, and locked including mortise bolts (splined key on kitchen set)

Burglar alarm switched on

Pavilion front door closed and both locks secure

Both perimeter gates locked on the way out.

PAST HOSTS CLAIM THIS IS A VERY REWARDING EXPERIENCE.

 SO NOW THAT YOU’VE DISCOVERED

COFFEE MORNINGS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE A GO?

PERHAPS YOU COULD PARTNER AN EXPERIENCED CLUB MEMBER UNTIL YOU GAIN CONFIDENCE.

COME TO THE NEXT ONE AND ASK

THANK YOU EVER SO MUCH FOR YOUR INTEREST