This message is to all members of all the playing and social clubs who enjoy the use of the facilities at Sandilands, to inform you of a major development which the Trustees have agreed, and which will have a major positive impact on the future of the facilities at Sandilands, and therefore a positive impact on the current and future users and members of all the organisations which have their home in this picturesque corner of Croydon.

From Monday 13th February, Steve Luffingham will be relinquishing his responsibility for the bar, and this will be taken over by Darren Turner, a social member who is also a local, highly respected builder. He will be running the bar facility, trading as Addiscombe Leisure. Also on 13th February, the bar will be closed for major refurbishment works (to be undertaken by Darren’s building company), and these works are scheduled to last for two months. Darren has committed that the new bar will be open for the first match of the cricket season (Saturday 15th April), even if this is a temporary solution should the works to the bar be still awaiting finishing touches. We will be scheduling a ‘Grand Opening’ as soon as we have a confirmed completion date.

The end of season Hockey Supper will also be one of the first functions in the new facility.

The Hall, Kitchen and Changing Rooms facilities will be unaffected by these works, and can be used as usual – it is just the bar (and some external aspects of the clubhouse) where the building works will be taking place.

So the ‘usual’ winter activities such as Yoga, the Croydon Male Voice Choir, Striders and Running Sisters will be largely unaffected (albeit without a bar facility), and we ask for your patience as there will no doubt be some disruption - but we will do our utmost to ensure that this will be kept to a minimum. The plans of the cricket, tennis, hockey and running clubs over these 2 months will be communicated to members by their respective committees, but it is hoped that the 2 months of upheaval will be more than compensated by the fantastic facilities which you will be able to enjoy once the refurbishment works are completed.

I have included a rough plan of the layout of the new bar for your information, which will include a new entrance at the side of the building (on the corner as you come down the path from the car park) as well as an improved ability to provide a separate bar facility for club - or private - functions.

The other exciting news is that ADDISCOMBE FITNESS – a new company set up and run by Darren’s son Luke – will be operating in the Hall from April (exact date to be confirmed), with Personal Training and Fitness sessions running throughout the day, which will be available to all existing members and will attract new visitors from within the immediate locality. Luke has an outstanding reputation as a trainer and instructor, and has ambitious plans for his fitness sessions, which will include classes such as circuit training, core conditioning, high intensity internal training, as well as grit and boot camps – all using the most up-to date equipment.

The new bar – which will have 30% more floor space, will be an environment which is lighter, more welcoming, and in keeping with the audience we are trying to attract – and this includes making the club more inviting for our existing members, their partners and their families. There will be new flooring and furniture - a mix of bar stools, high level tables with high stools, some booth seating and comfortable Chesterfield sofas and armchairs. A wide range of health drinks and healthy snacks will be available, as well as good coffee and other hot drinks. (….oh, and there will be beer!) The plan is also to have THREE big TVs which will enable members to watch the sport of their choice, plus a club information screen where each club can post its fixtures, results, news and views.

With the more modern facilities will come more hi-tech ways of promoting the club, the playing and social sections within the club, and the additional fitness facility. Robin Jamieson has already registered a new domain: www.addiscombe.club and he has agreed to be the ‘web master’ and to build the site to provide links to and from each of the playing and social clubs, as well as a booking facility. The site is under construction.

It will be an impressive vehicle for promoting everything at Sandilands, and the Sandilands Committee will be working with Robin over the coming weeks to get this ready in time for the launch of the new bar. For those of you who don’t know Robin, he is a Strider of a certain age – a key member of the Sandilands Committee, with the enthusiasm and energy of a man a third of his age. ROBIN, you are a star!

We have some exciting times ahead, and I look forward to catching up with all of you over the coming months.