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Chairman’s Newsletter August 2021

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Please note…a fuller version of this newsletter is available in the Private Member’s section. Please click on that section and register.

Dear Members,

Kay Carman

I hope you have survived the past long Covid months during lockdown. It has been a dreadful time for everyone and sadly we have lost many members since March 2020, not just through Covid but other illnesses as well! Please note that we will be having a special Tribute Evening at the Club on Monday 27th September from 7.30pm to share our memories of them. More later.

The Committee have agreed to fully open the Club from 1st September, Monday to Friday, 12 noon to last orders 11.10pm. Please note that we will only be taking card payments behind the bar for the foreseeable future. (Everything is still dependable on Government Guidelines.)

Monday night shows will be slightly different but will commence with a special ‘Welcome Back’ show on Monday 20th September at 8pm. Then, as mentioned, on Monday 27th September we will have a Tribute Evening to celebrate the lives and careers of all our members who have passed away during this Covid dominated period. If you would like to say a few words about anyone that evening, please contact me and I will give you a time slot. The evening will be interspersed with music that was relevant to these passed members.   A list of the deceased members is available in the Final Curtain section of the web site or at the office.

These first two Monday evenings may be well attended so you should book your seat in advance, either from myself on 07768 126994 or via Malcolm in the office. Also book with us if you require a meal in the hall beforehand, last orders on these two evenings will be 6.30pm. Booking is only required for these first two Mondays. Monday shows from October onwards will be as in the past.

From September 1st, Peter Cliffe, our new caterer is launching a new full menu served daily from 12 noon until 7pm. Please look at Backstage Bites on the site for details of this lovely menu.

Our ‘C’ Member, Frank Butler, is kindly taking over from Ron Wallace to organise the CAA Ex Serviceman’s Dinner on November 12th assisted by our ‘A’ Member Teddy Farnham. Look out for further details on the Club noticeboard and this web site.

Keep checking this website for immediate updates. The Committee have agreed to add a new performance or ‘gig ’guide to the site like we used to print in our old newsletters. We also now have a private ‘Member’s Only’ section on the web site. Please register. In time you will be able to pay your subs and book for events thought this Private Section. There is also a fuller version of this newsletter to view in the private section. So please complete the easy registration and password process. Just click on Member’s Only Area and go from there!

There are two Jazz Nights booked for the autumn. Friday 29th October: the wonderful Helen Theophanus Quintet present ‘The Look of Love,’ a celebration of the music of Burt Bacharach and his Latin American influences. On Friday 26th November a jazzy mix entitled ‘Basie to the Beatles and Beyond’ with the multi award winning Sarah Bolter Quintet. Ticket prices are £20 for members (£22 guests) which includes light refreshments.

We are arranging new ways to book and pay. At the club on Monday evenings and through the web site. We will also have new card facilities and will also accept old fashioned cheques and cash!

I am very optimistic for us! ‘Always look on the bright side of life!’

The CAA will be 125 years old in 2022. So let’s make it a truly CELEBRATORY YEAR!!

My Love and Thanks to you all,

Kay Carman (CAA Chair)

A Tribute to Ron Wallace

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Ron WallaceIt is with great sadness that I have to announce the passing of our dearly loved Honorary Life Member Ron Wallace.

He joined the club in the 1980s and very quickly became an indispensable member of the Club and Committee when he took on the onerous task of ALL our maintenance ( overseeing it all and actually physically ” doing” much of it!!) We can never repay his kindness!

He also took over the organisation of the CAA Ex Servicemen’s Club. Organising their Annual Dinner. He gave tirelessly of his many talents.

Both he and his wonderful wife Mena used to help on all of the Club functions in many, many ways.

A “Thank You Ron” just does not seem sufficient for all that we owe you at the Club! Yours & Mena’s friendship has sustained me in hard personal times too as I know you have helped many members personally over the years!

There is a gaping hole in the Club now and indeed on the Committee! Ron’s was the guiding hand during all building work carried on over the last 30 + years.

On behalf of myself, the Committee, and all of the CAA we send condolences to Ron’s beloved family, his children Ruth, Claire, Robert and Jasper his Grandson and his Son in Laws. They and we can never replace him!

All our Love and Thanks to you Ron

Rest in Peace.

Kay , on behalf of everyone at the CAA .

Betty Crosskey Gets a Lift

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During 2019 we invested in a major refurbishment for the club. Many members  kindly and generously donated towards the cost.

Betty Crosskey was a major benefactor asking only in return that she would be the first to sample our new lift. Here is Betty in October 2019 doing just that. As Pam Cundell would say ‘Onwards and Upwards!’

Betty Crosskey tries out the new lift

Chairman’s Newsletter March 2021

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Dear Members,
 
At last some GOOD NEWS!
 
Kay Carman
The Committee are pleased to announce that the Club will re-open at 12 noon (Mondays to Fridays) on Monday May the 17th!!  So please put that date in your diaries. You will be advised of the daily closing times nearer that date. 
 
Certain restrictions will still be in place as we follow the Government ‘s guidelines. Things will slowly return to normal once members have received their vaccinations.
 
Our new Caterer Peter Cliffe, will be on hand with a food Menu for us. From June the 21st, when all restrictions are expected to be lifted, we will resume accepting Bookings for the Concert Hall. So please phone Malcolm in the Office if you wish to make a booking during the week or at weekends.
 
Sadly, we have lost quite a few members  during this awful time and our thoughts are with their families and friends. Once we are back to some sort of normality, we will have a Tribute Day to them all.
 
On a happier note, Malcolm, our Club Secretary and myself have spent days checking all of the application forms on the waiting list for New members. Contacting people by letter or phone.
 
The outcome is resulting in we hope, around 120 new members very soon! Another happy surprise awaiting you all when we return is that at last, the photographs are back up in the Bar. Hooray!!  Thank you Nick!
 
My full Newsletter will be sent out with the end of year Accounts next month.
 
So please keep smiling and stay POSITIVE!!! (Attitude.. not with Covid!) Brighter days are in sight!
 
Good wishes to you all from Kay, your Chairman and all of the Committee.

Chairman’s Newsletters to January 2021

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HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE
 
Some of you have already been lucky enough to have your first vaccine. Some have actually had the 2nd!! The rest of us will hopefully have at least one by the end of March with everyone by the end of June!!!!???? We can live in hope!
 
The Club is obviously closed until further Notice. The government will let us know about any changes.
 
Everything is quiet regarding the Club. We are just keeping everything ticking over. Malcolm is in the office a couple of days a week.
Look out on the website for any recordings of shows or zooms by our members.
 
Best wishes for 2021.

Chaiman’s Newsletter and Information Update December 2020…

Dear Members,

We are nearly at the end of 2020 – Hooray!

Because of the latest Government restrictions the club is now in Tier Four and has had to close for the foreseeable future. Sadly, our proposed Christmas Lunches had to be cancelled. Rest assured we will re-open as soon as we are allowed and it is deemed safe to do so. Please keep checking in to the web site for updates. At last there is’ light at the end of the tunnel’ with a vaccine on the horizon.

I have tried to contact as many of you as I could on behalf of myself and the Committee, together with Barbara Daniels on behalf of the Benevolent Fund Trustees. We want to make sure you know we are here for you if you need us! Call if you need anything and you think we can help! I thank the Committee for their support in these trying times. We are coping with everything being thrown at us but the CAA will survive. We send our condolences to the loved ones of our members who have sadly passed away this year and also to our Members who have lost loved ones and friends this year. We are listing Members who have passed away during the crisis on the site – click on Final Curtain.

Those of you missing the wonderful CAA Ball, be assured that we have reserved dates for next year in February and March and will keep you informed as Government rules change. However, if you would like a refund of your payment for the postponed March 2020 date, please write to me at the club with your details. Otherwise your money is safe with us, ready for when we can hold the Ball in 2021.

It has been wonderful to see so many of you back at the Club during September and October. You say that we have been a lifeline for you to enjoy the company and camaraderie of your friends once again!

Regarding Membership subscriptions for 2021, the forms will be with you before Christmas and we are offering a reduction. 2020 has been a challenging year for everyone and so the Committee felt that we should help members at this difficult time and offer a reduced annual Subscription of 50% for those who need it. This will only apply for 2021. If you are in a position to be able to pay the full subscription as usual, then this financial contribution will greatly help the Club at this difficult time. Subscriptions for 2021 MUST be paid by 28th February 2021 which is also the deadline for the reduced payment. You can pay straight into a special account we have set up for subscriptions.

So, keep smiling! You are not alone – just pick up the phone for a chat with another member.

Please have as enjoyable Christmas as possible and a Very Happy and Healthy New Year – or should I say New Tier! Hoping for happy days to come!

Ho Ho Ho

Much Love from Kay, your Chairman and the Committee