clubmirror D ecem be r 2021
AT THE HEART OF THE COMM UNITY
Festival of Clubs 2021 Couldn’t join us? Here’s what happened! HE R E’ S T O A HAP PY, H E A LT H N E W YE A R CL U B L AN D
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LEADER
CONTENTS
Clubland we salute you!
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Club Association Lunch
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Welcome to the Festival of Clubs
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Let dinner commence
The Festival of Clubs, held at Doncaster Racecourse on November 25-26, 2021 celebrated Clubland after what must surely be one of the most difficult periods ever faced by clubs and the broader hospitality sector as a whole.
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Please welcome on stage...
Throughout the pandemic, clubs across the land have been tirelessly working within their communities, from setting up food banks to acting as vaccination centres and from vital home deliveries to supporting the most vulnerable. At the same time, they have used lockdowns as an opportunity to refurbish while members were forced to stay away. Not ideal of course, but the good news stories in terms of what has been achieved and how memberships have grown thanks to the revamps are staggering in both number and scale.
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Education, Education, Education
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100 Club launches
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Thank you for the music – it’s ABBA Forever
For the same Covid-related reasons, the 2020 Club Awards couldn’t take place. But never ones to rest on our laurels, we were determined to celebrate Clubland in all its glory, and so the Festival of Clubs was born – and it’s here to stay. The Festival kicked off with the 2021 Club Association Lunch at the Earl of Doncaster Hotel, an informal networking event which saw guests pitting their beverage knowledge against a ‘What’s my Wine’ challenge. Next up was the annual drinks reception at Doncaster Racecourse, sponsored by our good friends at the Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company. Of course the drinks reception would not be complete without our wonderful colleagues at BT Sport providing serious silverware for much appreciated photo opportunities. The main event – the Festival of Clubs Celebratory Dinner – saw previous Club Awards finalists and winners welcomed on stage. We also launched the 100 Club and feted clubs who reached their centenary during 2019 or 2020 but were unable to celebrate properly thanks to lockdowns. A session of Musical Bingo with Dransfields, performances from our professional West End favourites at Phoenix Arts Club along with tribute band ABBA Forever led to a heartfelt ‘Thank you for the music’. Finally, another big thank you. Thank you Clubland for being so caring, so resilient and so resourceful. Here’s to a positive, healthy and happy 2022.
Caroline Scoular Editor, Club Mirror
Editor Caroline Scoular Design David Foster Contributors Guy Brennan, Ashley Cairns, Justin O’Reagan Events Jill Slingsby, Karen Foreman Events production Warren Tolley Sales Angie Webster Marketing & Social Media Cindy Hedmann Website Studio 44 Circulation Jon Hardy Accounts Andrew Soles Publishing Director Sean Ferris
Club Mirror is published by Alchemy Contract Publishing Ltd, Gainsborough House, 59/60 Thames Street, Windsor SW4 1TX. Tel: 01753 272022. Fax: 01753 272 021 Email: caroline@clubmirror.com; sean@clubmirror.com; leigh-ann@alchemymedia.co.uk; info@clubmirror.com ACP Gainsborough House 59/60 Thames Street Windsor Berkshire SL4 1TX UK t. +44 (0)1753 272022 f. +44 (0)1753 272021 e.info@alchemycontractpublishing.co.uk www.alchemycontractpublishing.co.uk The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the publisher. Club Mirror does not verify the claims made by advertisers regarding their products. CLUB MIRROR 3
CLUB ASSOCIATION LUNCH
Club Association Lunch 2021 Clubland came together for a day of recognition and networking at the Club Association Lunch 2021.
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osted by Club Mirror’s MD Sean Ferris, the 2021 Club Associaiton Lunch was held at the Art Decco Earl of Doncaster Hotel. “The intention of launching the Club Association Lunch is to open up dialogue between us all – associations, clubs and suppliers,”said Sean. “And we’ll be coming up with more lunch dates and more venues in 2022. So this is just the beginning.” Following a sparkling reception in the equally sparkling Ballroom, where guests took the opportunity to have their photos taken with the Premier League Trophy (courtesy of BT Sport), John Inverdale – who now sits on the RFU Council – was introduced as Master of Ceremonies. But while the Club Association Lunch served a serious purpose - to pull associations together and create a forum for dialogue – how to break the ice? Enter ‘What’s my Wine’. Can you spot a Merlot at 20 paces? Does your nose know its Chardonnay from its Cabernet? No? Well, that’s what we asked of our attendees. Three panels of ‘wine experts’ invited fellow guests to taste the wines (one per course), carefully selected to complement the menu. Each panellist then described their take on what the wine was. And in true CallMy-Bluff style, only one could be true. Merriment and mayhem ensued!
Top right: The sparkling reception set the tone for the quizzing. Was it Champagne or Prosecco? Neither. It was Bouvet Ladubay Brut from Saumur, official supplier to the House of Lords and endorsed by Napoleon III no less. Middle right: Roehampton Club’s Marc Newey and Nicky Davis with Master of Ceremonies John Inverdale (centre). Bottom left: Social media at play in the stunning Earl of Doncaster Ballroom. Bottom right: Fill Your Boots’ Sean Phelan (left) and Peter Stroud admire some serious silverware!
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The Premier League Trophy proved a welcome addition to the drinks reception, courtesy of BT Sport. Below. CIU President George Smith and (bottom right) CIU colleagues Kenneth D Green and Ken Roberts were important participants of the 2021 Club Association Lunch.
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CLUB ASSOCIATION LUNCH
John Inverdale (above) explains the procedures to guests who included the team from BT Sport (left) and Club Mirror’s Karen Foreman and Consultant Ashley Cairns (bottom left). Below: Wine Expert E – “It’s bone dry, it’s sweet and it’s a French Chardonnay Chablis – sophistication in a glass. Or – hang on – is it maybe a 2018 white Burgundy? You decide.”
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Above: Our Wine Experts prepare to bamboozle guests with spurious wine descriptions. Only one could be true – so whose would it be? Right: Dransfields’ Trevor Roberts (centre) organised the Club Association Lunch Wine Quiz which flummoxed many guests. Roehampton Club, however, sailed through, the clear and outright winner. Below: Club Mirror’s Angie Webster and Cindy Hedmann with former Sports Minister and CIU Parliamentary Advisor Gerry Sutcliffe.
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With grateful thanks to Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, sponsor of the 2021 Festival of Clubs Drinks Reception.
DRINKS RECEPTION
Welcome to the Festival of Clubs In true Club Mirror style, Festival of Clubs guests were invited to a pre-event drinks reception, sponsored by our old friends at Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company.
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DRINKS RECEPTION With the doors of Doncaster Racecourse well and truly open, Club Mirror and the Festival of Clubs team was delighted and proud to welcome back clubland after pandemic lockdowns.
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DRINKS RECEPTION
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WELCOME
Let Dinner commence! Club Mirror MD Sean Ferris welcomed guests in a pre-dinner speech. “Well it’s been quite a ride has it not? What an 18 months. Who knew it would be two years before we could meet again. So it’s wonderful that you’re all here tonight and we intend to celebrate. “We are the lucky ones – we’ve survived. And while the Club Awards have been unable to take place for all the obvious reasons, we hope that the Festival of Clubs is a happy substitute, a celebratory dinner and a recognition of what we’ve all been through. That said, we can’t ignore what has happened in those lost months, so – pre-moving into total happy mode – let's raise a glass to absent friends.” Sponsors and club-supporting suppliers were then thanked for their support, and previous Club Awards finalists and winners were welcomed. The role that clubs continue to play during the pandemic was highlighted in a short, poignant video, showing clubs tirelessly at work in their communities, from setting up food banks and food deliveries, to acting as vaccination centres and caring for their most isolated and vulnerable members. “Clubs never fail to impress. And talking of impressive, we have special clubs in the room who reached their centenary during 2019 or 2020 but have been unable to celebrate properly. We’re delighted that you’re here to join the party. We’ll be recognising you on stage as you join our new 100 Club.”
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WELCOME
A big thank you goes out to top London venue, the Phoenix Arts Club, back once again to open the event with their own inimitable West End flair, professional artistes all determined to help clubland get back together and celebrate in style.
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WELCOME
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Club Mirror would like to thanks all of our sponsors and supporters for helping to make the first ever Festival of Clubs happen.
Also thanks to the support and input from industry associations, including:
THE PRESENTATIONS
J
ohn Inverdale joined us once again as our host at Doncaster, back by popular demand. The Club Awards stalwart was delighted to be back after last year’s lockdown, and keen to welcome previous winners and finalists to join him on stage - which they did in abundance. Interludes during the proceedings included Dransfields’ fun-filled Spotlight Musical Bingo with the winner carrying away a huge, hi-spec TV screen. Also – far right – Phoenix Arts Club got the room buzzing in a sing-along, while an impromptu magic trick, had guests enthralled (see next page).
Dransfields MD Chris Haley (pictured right; centre) hosted a Spotlight Musical Bingo session. Plus: Clubs were welcomed on stage to collect their Certificates of Recognition.
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THE PRESENTATIONS
Peter Hunt, a many-times Award winner, announced his retirement from Kings Heath Cricket & Sports Club (pictured above; holding certificate), while John Inverdale proved puzzled by an entertaining piece of electronic magic (below right).
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Thanks to all of our club-supporting suppliers who enthusiastically backed the inaugural Festival of Clubs, including BT Sport, Carlsberg Marstons Brewing Company, CGA, Club Control, Dransfields, Pure Purchasing and Studio 44. Bottom image: Previous King of Clubs winners joined BT Sport’s Bruce Cutherbert (far right) and Club Mirror’s Sean Ferris (far left) on stage for the final presentations of the evening.
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EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION
T
he importance of great management and good governance has never been greater, as recognised by both the Club Managers Association of Europe (CMAE) and the Club & Institute Union (CIU). This section was introduced remotely from Stockholm by CMAE’s Toby Johannsen. Roehampton Club’s Chief Executive Marc Newey CCE invited CMAE colleagues to join
him on stage, celebrating their successes in achieving their Club Management Diplomas (CMDips). The CIU’s General Secretary Kenneth D Green CMD ACM and Vice-President Ken Roberts CMD ACM then welcomed Farnborough Social Club’s Clare Sayer on stage where she received her Award in Club Management (ACM).
Above: Alongside club Certificates of Recognition, CMAE colleagues celebrated the importance of education. Below (l to r): CMAE’s newest CMDip, Jon Dry from Fulford Golf Club; Roehampton Club’s Marc Newey CCE; Gabrielle Boase, Datchet Water Sailing Club and Ed Plunkett, City of London Club.
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EDUCATION EDUCATION EDUCATION Kenneth D Green CMD ACM (left) and Ken Roberts CMD ACM (right) present Clare Sawyer with her well-deserved Award in Club Management.
The CIU ‘s Award in Club Management is composed of three units and aims to provide club officials with all the information they need to run a successful private members’ club.
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100 CLUB LAUNCHES
T
he 100 Club was a new launch in 2021, designed to applaud clubs who hit their centenary during lockdown, making it impossible to mark the occasion in true club style. So to help them celebrate, we enlisted the help of Tom Jones, one of the CIU’s oldest members. Now 103, Tom first hit the headlines when he walked the grounds of his home to raise money for charity. As the newly appointed Honorary Secretary of the 100 Club, he joined in the festivities remotely, congratulating the clubs and introducing a short VT created to celebrate their impressive centennial achievement.
The 100 Clubs 2021 included: Wembdon Cricket Club, Mill View Social Club, Rubery Social Club & Institute, Egham United Services Club, Everton & Lymore Social Club, Richmond Place Club, Dudley Kingswinford RFC and Hamsterley Social Club.
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CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION
Certificates of Recognition 2021 After months of hardship, clubs celebrated in style as they collected their Certificates of Recognition.
W
ith the Club Awards unable to take place during 2020, and 2021’s judging halted thanks to the pandemic, the Festival of Clubs was our opportunity to applaud clubs across the UK for the vital part they play in their local communities year in year out. We salute you all!
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CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION
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ABBA FOREVER
Thank you for the music W
ith ABBA’s much publicised return to the stage via avatars, Club Mirror called in ‘the real thing’ with ABBA forever.
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Club Mirror would like to thanks all of our sponsors and supporters for helping to make the first ever Festival of Clubs happen.
Also thanks to the support and input from industry associations, including:
