May 2022

11 Buckden Roundabout May 2022 Buckden Village Club A warm welcome from your Buckden Village Club (BVC). In March 2022, the Annual General Meeting was held where many new committee members were appointed. I would like to take this opportunity as the new Chair of the BVC committee to thank the outgoing committee members who have managed BVC to date; welcome and thank the new committee members for willingly giving their time to BVC and to express apprecia- tion to existing staff, members, Village Trust and the Buckden community for their support. I think it ’ s fair to say that many of us have found the past two years immensely challenging and that we wish for brighter, warmer and more engaging days to come, so we are here for you. There is much happening and we ’ ve some ideas to im- prove what ’ s available to everyone, whilst ensuring that the established support to our local sporting teams, young and not - so, is maintained. We ’ re open from 4pm everyday during the week, and from 12 noon at weekends. Whilst we currently operate a membership scheme, you don ’ t have to be a member to come and enjoy the premises. Our dedicated staff would love to serve you. Super- vised children and dogs are welcome too! If you would like to become a member, please visit us, and ask to join! We continue to offer all the big sporting occasions on multiple large screens, where you can cheer along your team/player/ driver in the comfort of our bar with a drink and some snacks. You are welcome to buy drinks to take onto the playing fields in disposable cups, we just ask that you dispense of them ap- propriately. For children, we offer a large range of soft drinks, ice pops and confectionary, great for those after school visits to the play area. There is plenty of outside seating too. The premises are available to the community to hire, where our staff will ensure your celebrations are looked after. There are always many events planned and advertised for all to enjoy. We wel- comed local perform- er ‘ Lia ’, to the club in March, who ’ s popu- larity keeps her re- turning and our next Band night is Saturday 30 th April with ‘ The Knottleys ’ as your entertainment. All our events are promoted on our Facebook page. You ’ ll also see our noticeboard promoting the next big thing! We hold a wonderful quiz fortnightly on a Wednesday, the next one being 4 th May, with cash prizes; all are welcome to play. Please come along and support us. This summer, we will again be supporting our friends hosting Buckfest. Despite some less than cheerful weather last year it was clear that this remains a fabulous event for the community and we eagerly await Summer 2022. The small and energetic committee is looking for additional committee members, in particular a Treasurer with accountan- cy experience, and additional volunteers, so please contact us if you have some spare time you would like to give to your club. We are also keen to hear your ideas on what could be done and made available to encourage many more local resi- dents to come and use your facilities. If you have any thoughts, we would be pleased to hear from you. Please email chair@buckdenvillageclub.co.uk or drop a hand written note into the bar staff marked for the attention of the Chair. We are always seeking people to help provide the essential business of the club including volunteer roles and fundraising events. Your club has, as with many local and national busi- nesses, struggled during the Coronavirus pandemic and lock- down to ensure it remains able to cover its costs whilst provid- ing significantly adjusted ways of working. This has been hard, but we are already seeing green shoots, with more people in- terested in coming to join us. Our prices remain competitive and we will look at how we can offer you more. For instance, the darts teams have expanded to two teams competing locally and we are looking at bringing back a pool table. Whilst new events help, as do more members, we have set up a Crowdfunding page to assist our ‘ not - for - profit ’ community club. With the wider community involved we hope to start managing down costs involved from the impact of the Corona- virus pandemic. All donations will go toward ensuring your club remains available to you. To find out more and donate, please use this link https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save - our - community - club Thank you. For any local businesses who would like to sponsor the club, please do get in contact with me so that we can support your business in return. Finally, we wish all new and established residents of Buckden and surrounding villages the very best of health and happiness as we move into springtime. We very much look forward to seeing existing and new faces in and around the club. Whether you are walking your dog around the newly improved Valley, representing a sports team, bringing young people to the rec- reation field or simply want a chat over a drink whilst enjoying some music, sports or a quiz. We look forward to welcoming you all. Andy Peckham Chair, BVC - chair@buckdenvillageclub.co.uk