Chairman’s Christmas Newsletter

We hope this year we can celebrate Christmas with our loved ones! Covid permitting!

We have enjoyed three fantastic Christmas parties with excellent festive food from our caterer Peter Cliffe and his team. Socially distanced Cabaret, dancing and Santa and his Elf! Hooray!

As you know, 2022 is our 125th anniversary, the club being formed in 1897. So organising special CELEBRATORY functions is well underway. 

The First function is Friday 14th January at 7.30pm. ‘Evening All’ A tribute to our past president who we owe so much to, Jack Warner, devised and written by Gerald Glover. Technical direction is by Richard Norman. Cost is £25 members (£27 guests) which includes light refreshments after the show. 

A CAA 125th Anniversary Fund Raising Event

FRIDAY 14th JANUARY at 7.30pm

 

‘EVENING ALL’

A TRIBUTE TO JACK WARNER

 

Written by Gerald Glover

Technical Director Richard Norman

Donation £25 Members (£27 Guests)
includes light refreshments after the show
 

Celebrating the life and career of one of Britain’s best loved entertainers – Jack Warner.

Featuring movie clips from his many films – he was particularly proud of Carve Her Name With Pride (1950) – mingled with sound clips from his wireless and record career – Garrison Theatre on the BBC (Light Programme, of course!) and at the London Palladium (1940) – through to the film The Blue Lamp (1950) which was followed by his most famous incarnation, George Dixon……of Dock Green (1955-76).

To us at the CAA he is the Diamond Geezer who,   as our President, found our present premises. He persuaded J. Arthur Rank to be the guarantor for the mortgage we took out at the Midland Bank for 20 Bedford Street. Jack Warner was Rank’s biggest star at the time.

The first Monday night Club show of the New Year will be Monday 17th January. Simon Bashford is Social Secretary that evening presenting a ‘125 years Anniversary Show.’ West End Musicals through the ages performed by West End Musical Stars. Monday 24th January will be a ‘Member’s Night Show.’

A CAA 125th Anniversary Event

FRIDAY 28th JANUARY 7pm for 7.30pm
 

BURNS NIGHT

 

With a Piper, Dancing and Haggis!

 
£32 (£35 Guests) Includes Three Course Meal

The second CAA 125 Function on Friday 28th January is our traditional fun evening ‘BURNS NIGHT’ with piper and Haggis. Cost £32 Members (£35 guests) including the three course meal. This is followed by our Monday night show organised by Shannon Rewcroft as Social Secretary. 

The following Monday 7th February, Social Secretary David Power presents Star baritone Anthony Cable and Barry Stewart. Fun at the piano and in song with Laurence Payne as MD. On Monday 14th February Social Secretary Kay Carman presents a Valentine’s Night Show with Showbiz couple Vivienne McMaster a dancer and star vocalist with MD Sean Whittle from the Ritz.

A CAA 125th Anniversary Event

FRIDAY 25th FEBRUARY at 7.30pm
 
 

A BRIEF HISTORY OF JAZZ

A Jazzy musical journey from 1920’s Ragtime through the ages to Miles Davis.

 
An award winning show performed by the acclaimed PAUL HIGGS QUARTET
£20 Members (£22 Guests)

On Monday 21st February we have no show as the hall is rented for a private function. Our next 125 show opens the Jazz Nights series with ‘A Brief History of Jazz.’ From 1920s Ragtime through the jazz ages to Miles Davis. This award winning show is performed by the acclaimed Paul Higgs Quartet. Cost £20 Members (£22 Guests)

PAYMENT FOR CLUB FUNCTIONS – IF POSSIBLE PLEASE PAY BY CARD OVER THE PHONE OR IN PERSON TO MALCOLM IN THE OFFICE. Cash and Cheques are still acceptable in person or by post but card payments by phone are preferable. Many Thanks.

Judith Quiney is overseeing the refurbishment of the office suites which will be completed soon together with complete internet update.

 

 

SUNDAY 13th MARCH at 5pm

 

The CAA 125th ANNIVERSARY BALL

Cabaret, Dancing & Dinner.

THE EVENT OF THE YEAR!

 

Venue: The Victory Services Club, Seymour Street, W2 2HF

Members £80 (Guests £85)

 

THE CAA 125 YEARS ANNIVERSARY BALL will be held on Sunday 13th March at the Victory Services Club, Seymour Street, W2 2HF. Please put the date in your diaries. 

Thank you to all who bought tickets for the postponed 2020 ball. Although the costs and price have increased for 2022, the CAA will make up the shortfall on all monies we have already received. If you haven’t yet booked, New Prices are Members £80 (Guests £85) Thank you.

Christmas in the CAA Bar

The Club bar looked like a welcoming Santa’s grotto during the run up to Christmas. Thank you Nick Robinson.

I hope you all have a happy holiday season. Closed from 5pm on Thursday 23rd December, the Club reopens, Covid restrictions permitting, at 12 noon on Wednesday 5th January 2020.

Finally, Thanks to the Committee and Malcolm and the Staff, also all of you Members for your support during these ‘trying’ times.

Love to you all.

Stay Safe

Kay x

A Message from Anita Dobson

Originally posted on the Home Page in August 2021

A personal message from our President Anita Dobson…

 
Anita Dobson CAA PresidentHi Gang, you wonderful members of our Fabulous Club. It has been a long hard time for us all since Covid struck and our lives were turned upside down. 
 
It’s now time for us to reclaim our world and try to embrace life again and that means gently and lovingly meeting our friends and loved ones in a safe way.
 
I have missed our get-togethers and am hoping to see you all in the not too distant future.  We have lost some members, but we will remember them and raise a glass in their memory.  Life is tough, but CAA members are made of strong stuff and the Club will survive. 
 
We will keep our traditions and love of life alive.  Showbusiness is the link that binds us and the Show must… and WILL  go on.
See you soon and stay strong and healthy till then, lotsa love your adoring President.
 
Anita  xxxxxx

Chairman’s Newsletter August 2021

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)

Chairman’s Newsletter March 2021

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

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

Chairman’s Newsletter November 2020

Dear Members,
 
Kay Carman
We have been open from 12 noon to 5pm since the 3rd of September! 
 
I thank all of the members who have been able to visit us and enjoy the camaraderie again! Peter, our new Caterer, has been serving wonderful sandwiches with chips or salad plus delicious afternoon cream teas with smoked salmon sandwiches, scone, cake & strawberries!!
 
With of course Chris our Barman serving our drinks! We have also had lovely background entertainment some Monday afternoons! So we have seen a return to happier times here at the CAA for 2 months now!
 
Our Kitchen received a 5 Star Rating from the Westminster Council Inspector last week!! So huge Congratulations To Peter Cliffe!!
 
To protect everyone the Government has re-introduced a nationwide lockdown from Thursday 5th November, so we will have to close our doors again after business on Wednesday 4th of November!
 
So please come to see us on the 4th, have a drink and some food!
Malcolm will only man the office for one day a week, so if you have any queries leave a message on the Club phone or call me, live,  on 07768 126994. I will be happy for a chat!!
 
Unfortunately the club is suffering financially the same as every other business in the country! By the end of December we will have lost,  from our main income,  3 tenants from our office suites because of the Covid situation, so we are looking for new tenants!!
 
I am so sad to report that our wonderful long time club and previous Committee member, Peter Durrant , sadly passed away. Peter was the epitome of a TRUE GENTLEMAN! A marvellous raconteur with amazing charm and humour. He gave so much joy to the club. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by  so many of us! Love and Thanks from us all Peter. RIP.
 
For a list of those club members who have passed away since the Covid restrictions started, please click on the Final Curtain link on the Home Page.
 
However – We will keep positive and weather the storm!!! Keep in touch with each other! Especially members who live alone! Keep smiling! We are all here for each other! You have your membership book so CALL someone!! Don’t feel down or depressed you are NOT ALONE! Call any of the Committee for a chat!!
 
Hopefully we will ‘re open on the 3rd of December!! I have spoken to Peter and if we are allowed we will have some bookable Christmas festivities together! All socially distanced of course! Haha! Or HoHoHo???
 
Depending on Government directives. Let us be POSITIVE!! Long live the wonderful CAA!!! WE WILL SURVIVE!!
 
All my love to you all!!
Kay Carman.
So proud to be your Chairman!

Chairman’s Newsletter August 2020

Dear Members,

Kay Carman

The Committee has agreed to open the Club on Thursday, 3rd September, for a trial period throughout September to see if it is financially viable for us to open.

Initially the Bar will be open from 12 noon to 5pm Monday to Friday. Last orders will be 4.30 pm. Only Credit/Debit Cards will be taken for Bar payments. No cash will be taken by the Bar staff.

We may stay open slightly later once we are into a regular routine. We all have to be flexible.

A limited Menu of various sandwiches, prawn cocktail, salad, chips and Afternoon Cream Tea with tea or coffee, will be available from our new caterer, Peter Cliffe read more here.

Please support him when you come to the Club and order something to eat with your drinks. We hope to have a pianist playing softly downstairs in the Hall some afternoons.

The Club is being thoroughly deep cleaned in accordance with rules because of the Corona virus. Signs re social distancing and health rules will be displayed alongside hand sanitizers, etc. A one way system around the Club will be signposted.   

Please bring your own masks & gloves etc. for your own protection. You do come into the Club at your own risk. Members of the Committee will be setting out tables & chairs in the Bar and Concert Hall.   

Because of social distancing, seating space will be restricted. Therefore, whichever day or days you wish to come in you must phone up to reserve a seat please. Otherwise you may be disappointed if you just turn up and we are full.

Phone either: 0207 836 3172 or 0207 254 6074

Please leave your name and number. This may seem complicated but we have to adhere to Government guidelines!

Sadly, we have lost quite a few longstanding members during lockdown, from various illnesses not just the virus. Once we are back to normal we will have a Tribute afternoon/evening memorial to them. We send loving thoughts & support to their loved ones.

Over lockdown our Benevolent & Samaritan funds have been helping our members who have applied for assistance, all confidentially. These two funds are the raison d’être of our Club! Please phone either of the two numbers above for any information about assistance.

It has been and still is an awfully worrying time. Try to keep smiling & try to stay positive! I know it is hard but if you need to talk just ring myself or another Committee member. 

We are here to help & support you however we can! If you have a problem or a question about the Club, just call!

All my good wishes to you all,

Love

Kay Carman,

Chairman on behalf of the Committee

Chairman’s Newsletter July 2020

NEWS FROM THE CHAIRMAN KAY CARMAN – JULY 2020

Kay Carman

The committee had a ‘virtual’ meeting on Thursday 9th July to discuss the reopening of the club.

It was decided to have a ‘deep clean’ throughout and the air conditioning fully serviced. Judith is arranging PPE, hand sanitising dispensers, perspex screens etc to enable us to create a safe environment.

Two or three Committee members will come in during August to sort out social distancing seating and tables in the Bar and Concert Hall areas using the small red cabaret tables. Malcolm will help sort out the bar regarding stock etc. Our new caterer Peter will also be on board.

Our aim is to reopen slowly but surely in early September. This all depends of course on Government directives and monitoring the overall situation. So we have to be flexible and cannot open fully for a while. We will gauge our member’s response and take it from there.

We want to be ready to respond to the ever changing situation and be fully prepared as much as we can be to open in early September, at least for a drink and some food and to be able to meet up safely with our friends again. Exact timings will be known at a later date – thank you for your wonderful patience and understanding.

Unfortunately we have inevitably lost some of our members during the lockdown. We will celebrate all their lives when we are back at the club. Our most recent passing is stalwart ‘C’ Member Tony Davey.

Tony contributed so much to our club! He, with his lovely wife Betty came to every function and brought their friends as well. He was (quite literally) a giant among men. Tony and Betty graciously gave us use of their house and grounds for our 100th Birthday Garden Party on 6th July 1997 – our Centenary Year! We can never thank them enough for that! RIP Tony; all our love and thanks to you along with our love and support to Betty and the family. We are here for you.

‘A’ Members remember that the Benevolent Fund is there to help you in these difficult financial times, so please contact Barbara Daniels for information. Any other members can apply for help from the Samaritan Fund – please contact myself or Malcolm for information.

These are strange, awful times but dear members please try to keep smiling and please stay safe! You have the member’s book so contact any of us if you wish to talk.

Love from Kay x

Chairman’s Newsletter March 2020

Kay Carman

The AGM in March 2019 was well attended, the main topic being the club refurbishment. At the end of a long discussion, Bryan Naylor said that we must spend ‘whatever it takes.’ So, thank you Bryan for that because we practically have a brand new club now. 

We spent more than our original budget but we did so in full knowledge of the implications and we had a Cost Consultant on hand all the time! We are still very healthy financially and we did not have to borrow any money as all expenditure was within our means. 

It is a new era for the club now and we move forward positively. I am very proud and honoured to have ‘spear headed’ the project. It was a long seven months dealing with all the aspects involved and I have certainly learned a huge amount!

I thank the committee for their support and Deputy Chairman Jonathan Brosnan for his full support during the year. But in particular, Ron Wallace who over the years has sorted out the maintenance of our club and saved us a lot of money. This year he kept an eye on the builder’s progress! 

Also Chris Hare, who has been a huge support and always been POSITIVE with me about the work. They both came to as many fortnightly site meetings as they could. 

Judith Quiney has worked tirelessly for the Club. Packing all the boxes and everything ready for the storage units in May and reorganising BT accounts, so that we could continue in a temporary office on the fifth floor from July. 

Judith also was a great help with ordering new furniture, fixture and fittings and then, when we came back in the refurbished building in November, helping unpacking boxes and sorting out the new IT issues in the office and card machines and picking up snagging issues. She has been invaluable, giving so much of her time to the Club. 

Grateful thanks to Malcolm our Secretary, who handles the Office and Val, his assistant, who have coped with the office upheavals since we moved back in. Malcolm has had to come in very early some mornings for workmen and deliveries. They hardly ever have a sick day off! 

Thanks to Liam, our hard working stage manager and the guys who set out the chairs. Malcolm, our doorman, has had a knee operation and expects to be back in March. Also our bar staff, who cope with every eventuality with a smile. 

As we settle into our new club, there are still a couple of snagging issues such as extra stage curtains and photos back on the wall. Sally and her team have continued to supply popular meals but the committee, as part of good practice in a new era, have put the brand new kitchen up for tender. Sadly, Sally has decided to leave. 

We have had a good response from individuals and firms to take over the franchise. Interviews have already been conducted. Unfortunately, the 4th floor office firm went into liquidation and the 3rd floor firm have been having financial difficulties, but we have recouped most of the money they owe us. It is ongoing. 

So, we are looking for new tenants. We thank the Trustees of our Benevolent Fund who work quietly and confidentially helping our ‘A’ members. If anyone knows of members in need please contact them. Also the Samaritan Fund is there to help other members. Please contact the Committee. 

Our social functions continue to sell out! Our hall capacity is slightly reduced due to an extended stage area and our sound and lighting desk now being situated at the rear of the hall. 

The Committee has decided to TRY OUT opening every SATURDAY EVENING from April from 5pm until last orders at 11.15pm. Sadly, we have lost quite a few members this year but, since January, we have brought in new members who have been on the waiting list for quite a while. 

I have really enjoyed this year as your Chairman and I thank you for your wonderful support and your patience during all of the closure. We have a great new Club! Onwards and Upwards! My love to you all.

KAY CARMAN

Chairman’s Christmas Message 2019

Dear Members,

OMG! At last we are OPEN!!! Hooray!!!

Kay Carman

There are one or two things to tidy up and I imagine it will be into 2020 before we have all the photos up in the Bar area and the important pictures up around the place, plus the Honours Board in the Hall. We are trying to have our wonderful Jack Warner settled somewhere special in the Club. Eventually we will be fully completed! I will let you know when we have the final Hand Over from the Building firm!

I thank you for your donations / contributions that we are receiving. We do need them as our coffers are quite depleted, but we do have a great new club which will take us into a new era! I am writing to you to thank you personally. We will be having Fundraising events in 2020, so keep an eye on the website and the club Notice board.

Unfortunately we have two empty office suites at the present time due to two firms folding. We used one space as our temporary office for nearly 5 months and our Managing Agents are looking for new tenants. The Christmas Season is now upon us. Many of you will be very busy in Pantos, Christmas shows, Cabarets  etc. either on Stage or behind the scenes. On land or on the high seas! Or just enjoying the holiday season. Wherever you are, myself and the Committee send you good wishes..

The two Opening Night parties were a huge success. Thanks must go to our President Anita Dobson who spoke to everyone on the 22nd and her lovely husband Brian May popped in to see us as well! Our two Christmas parties were sold out immediately too. Sorry for you members who missed out on both events! There are a few seats left for our Burns Night on January 24th. We have a great Jazz night on February 28th featuring Dominic Ashworth and his quartet. Dominic has been nominated UK No1 Jazz Guitarist and is a truly world class musician.

Our main function is our Sparkling CAA. Ball on 22nd March 5pm at the Royal Garden Hotel Kensington. Fantastic bands and Cabaret. Tickets £70 members £75 guests. See the booking forms please.

I hope you like the new club. The Committee and myself do! Haha! I am very proud to have “spearheaded” the project. It has been 7 months of hard work but in a masochistic way I have enjoyed it! Haha!! I have learned a huge amount about building works etc.!! I thank the Committee and Dep. Chairman Jonathon Brosnan, for supporting me, but I must thank three of them in particular who have always been there when I needed them. Ron Wallace, Chris Hare and then, especially in the last three months, Judith Quiney.  I thank Malcolm our Secretary who has been up with the larks many mornings since we took back the premises about two months ago! He is ready for a rest now too!!

All the staff are pulling together now to get everything back in order and I thank them.

I hope you all have a great time over the holiday season! I am off to spend Christmas with my family in South Africa!

My love to you all and thank you for your support! ……………………..

Kay Carman.