Archive News Items

Wonder Productions never fail to entertain at the Club's annual pantomime.  This year's production of Little Red Riding Hood was great fun for young and old.  My daughter is only two and loved every minute of it and I definitely saw my husband having a laugh or two!.  Take a look at some photos of the cast signing autographs.

Planet Abba put on an excellent professional show and I think a good night was had by all.  They played all their greatest hits and certainly knew how to get people on the dance floor. As always Andy Wright's disco complimented the event with a wide variety of music to suit all tastes.  Some guests really got in to the swing of things by dressing up in the full Abba costumes.

Due to a problem with the sub station near Bookers in Barnett Way the club had no power most of Thursday afternoon/evening.  We first noticed a problem at about 1.30pm.  Mr Stuart Williams contacted the relevant authorities to find out what the problem was and when it would be fixed.  We hoped that by the time the Club was due to open at 7pm that the problem would have been rectified.  Unfortunately that was not the case.  We contacted the Line Dancing, Skittles teams and the quiz night that was taking place.  Mrs Lynne Curtis also posted a message on the Club's website and left messages with both Heart FM and BBC Radio Gloucestershire.  The Club's gates were locked and a message was displayed on them.  The power was finally restored by 7.30am Friday morning and the Club was able to open as normal.

We would like to apologise to anyone who tried in vain to visit the Club.  This was obviously something completely out of our control and we would like to thank all the event holders that night for their patience and understanding.

We now have a dance floor that we can put down for small functions in the Lounge.  This must be hired for all functions in the Lounge where dancing will take place.  This has been purchased because it is more difficult to dance on carpet and also the dance floor will protect the carpet.  This now means that it expands the use of the Lounge to a multi function room and not just dining. There is a small hire fee for this of £20. This cost is for the installation times and maintenance of the flooring.

The Michael Jackson Experience put on a energetic dance performance.  Their website does state that because of the nature of their routine that they do mime.  The supporting dancers were particularly good, though there were some sound issues.  Unfortunately the Club has no control over this as most acts bring along their own sound systems.  As usual Andy Wright provided a great disco. I think even with a few minor issues people still had a cheap, entertaining night out.

Monday 27th July 2009
Had a great night at the Take That Tribute. Cheap drinks and friendly staff. Can't wait for the Michael Jackson night.

Crackerjack comments

THE WINDS OF CHANGE AT THE SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB

The Sports & Social Club has been in existence for more than 40 years and is operated as an independent business. There have been many changes and challenges during this period but probably none as great as those currently impacting on social / recreational businesses.

The Sports & Social Club was originally set up as a non-profit making organisation. The business arena in the 1960’s being totally different to that which exists today. As part of the on-going strategy to ensure the survival of one of the oldest Club’s in Gloucester , it has become necessary to register as a limited company. As from August 1^st 2009 the trading name of the new company will be Wall’s Club Ltd. Under the new arrangements, each full and life member guarantees £1.00 to the company, (i.e. Wall’s Club Ltd.).

Membership of the Club has been free to all Gloucester factory employees for a number of years and at present will CONTINUE TO BE FREE OF CHARGE. However, in order to comply with legislation, a membership application form needs to be completed by each full member (i.e. factory employee) and returned to the club secretary. The form has been included with the latest issue of the Company Magazine. Please complete the form and drop it in at the ‘Reliance help desk’ in the main Phoenix entrance, from where it will be passed on to the club secretary.

Thank you for helping us to maintain the club’s membership arrangements. Membership application forms for existing family members can be collected from the Reliance help desk or downloaded from the website.

Thank you for your support

Stuart Williams (Vice-Chairman)

Letters will soon go out to all Life Members also asking them fill out renewal forms to ensure that our records are correct.  

The company will now be run by a board of directors and will also seek advice from the sub committee members.

Friday 26th June 2009
I also had a great night at the disco and met up with some old friends there that I hadn't seen for years. We be going along to the Take That night and the Halloween disco.

Friday 26th June 2009
Went along to the Summer disco on the 20th June and had a great night. Cheap drinks and great music. Will definately go to the next function.

Friday 17th April 2009
Another great Sunday lunch. Friendly staff and cheap drinks. What more could you want?

Friday 27th February 2009
We had a meal last Sunday and I must say it was a good experience with your staff only to willing to help and friendly. R Painter.

Tuesday 24th February 2009
Friday 5th December 2008 - Great venue to bring all the family. Celebrated my Dad's 80th birthday in the lounge and it was a very pleasant experience.

Tuesday 24th February 2009
Friday 5th December 2008 - Had a great Christmas lunch. Excellent service.

Tuesday 24th February 2009
Thursday 13th November 2008 - Had a wedding evening party here last week, staff were great, food is superb, good selection of drinks at 'happy hour' prices all night!!

Tuesday 24th February 2009
Thursday 23rd October 2008 - Wonderful venue that hosts great parties and events. With a huge stage, wonderful function room and inexpensive bar this is a must for a night out!

Tuesday 24th February 2009
Thursday 11th December 2008 - The food was good, the service first class and the evening enjoyed by all present - Barnwood Gardening Club.

Crackerjack comments

The promotion has been achieved despite a number of long term injuries to key players necessitating call ups for a number of reserve team players. 
 
Without doubt GNSL Div 1 will be a stern test, it is a very good standard of football, however, targets requires setting and promotion from GNSL Div 1 should not be considered beyond the team".
 
M Bollands - Barnwood United

Break in

Unfortunately in March the club suffered a break in.  Fortunately nothing was taken.  There was some disruption caused by phone and alarm cables being cut.  Action was taken to tighten up security.

New Year's Eve - We had several complaints about the choice of band.  Although the Revolvers are good at what they do, they are quite specialised.  We had hoped to have a soul band but unfortunately we were let down at the last moment. A lot of planning will be going into all 2009 events so that we cater for every musical taste.  You will see that we are already planning disco and tribute nights.  We always welcome constructive suggestions.

Christmas Eve - We had a few comments that we did not lay anything on for our members for Christmas Eve.  We only started our advertising in November and by that time it was too late to organise a big event.  We are addressing this and this year we will be having a family disco, children's fancy dress and raffle draw.

Our annual pantomime which was held on Saturday 20th December was a great success.  We sold 300 tickets to see Dick Whittington and a good time was had by all.  Sorry to those of you who couldn't get tickets.  

On behalf of the Committee we would like to thank all the Children (and the adults!) for being well behaved .  We would also like to thank everyone involved in organising the day for all their hard work this includes:- bar and catering staff, committee members and of course the pantomime company. Also we must not forget the kind ice cream donation from Unilever.  

The Club has now started an advertising campaign and will be featuring in the Citizen on a weekly basis.  

A By-Law was passed by a majority vote at the Committee Meeting Dated 11^th August 2008 to change the membership renewal date for skittle and football affiliated memberships from 1^st June to 1^st August to be in line with the start of the season.

From July 1st the Club will be extending the opening hours and will be serving food every lunchtime.

Mr Danny Sparkes, Mr Gil Lane and Mr Stuart Williams were all re-elected on to the Committee.  

Amendments to Club Rules

Membership fees to re reduced from £12.50 to £5.00 per person per annum

Addition to Rules (21.3)
The Committee may at it’s sole discretion permit non members to use the Lounge Bar and Dining Room facilities of the Club on such days and during such hours as it may from time to time determine and persons admitted under this Rule may be supplied with alcohol.

Carried by a majority vote

Barnwood United FC who play on the Club's pitch have had the inspection for the northern senior league and were accepted, which is great news for the team and the Club.
 
They also won Division 1 of the Stroud and District League which in conjunction with the approval of the facilities means that we have been promoted back to the Northern Senior League. The Stroud League to give some context to the clubs achievement has over 2500 registered players and over a 100 teams so to win the league championship is a remarkable feat.

Well done!

The AGM will be held on Thursday 29th May at 7.30pm in the Lounge.  Only Full and Life members are eligible to vote.

From the 1st March Mr Austin Powell will be stepping down as Club Steward to concentrate on his catering Company CaterCater.  Mr Paul Holmes will be taking on the position of Steward.

Mr Stuart Williams was voted on to the Committee by a majority vote.  As an ex Club Chairman he will be a great asset to the Club.

From the 1st August the Club Steward will be Austin Powell.  He will be joining us after over 10 years service working in the staff restaurant at the Unilever Ice Cream Factory.  Mr Powell and his business partner Mr Paul Holmes will also be taking over the catering under the name of CaterCater.  They have done a great job of providing temporary catering over the past couple of months since Mr and Mrs Jones left and were the obvious choice when the Club advertised for these positions to be filled.  Already since they have been providing cover, while juggling two jobs and working many hours they have started to refurbish the Lounge.

Mr Chris Robinson has been voted in by a majority vote to the position of Vice Chairperson.  The Committee would like to thank Mr Ian Locke for temporarily standing in.

Voted on to the Finance/Bar Sub-Committee are:- Mr Dave Collins, Mrs Margaret Roberts, Mr Adrian Emmerson, Mr Chris Robinson, Mrs Lynne Curtis & Mr Graham Drinkwater.

Voted on to the Entertainment Sub-Committee are:- Mr Steve Thorne, Mr Ian Locke & Mrs Maggie Wood.  Mr Paul Holmes will also be an advisor to this Sub-Committee.

As from this AGM Mrs Margaret Roberts is now the Chairperson after Mr Steve Thorne stepping down as temporary chairman.  Mr Chris Robinson, Mr Alan Lodge and Mr Steve Thorne were all re-elected on to the Committee.

Sunday 27th May there will be no Sunday carvery available.

Monday 28th May the Club will be closed all day.

Due to the resignation of Les & Carolyn Jones, as from 27^th May Les will no longer be the Club Steward and Carolyn will no longer be the Club Caterer. There will be a stand-in caterer until a new one has been appointed.  This may affect the bar menus, though food will still be available. All existing external catering arrangements i.e. weddings, birthdays etc will not be affected.  If you have any concerns please contact Maggie Wood on 01452 392036. 

On July 1st 2007 the Club will go Smoke free.  From then on it will be against the law to smoke in virtually every enclosed public place including membership clubs.  For more information there will be posters in the Club or for more information visit www.smokefreeengland.co.uk

As a result of the EGM held on Monday 29th January 2007 Steve Thorne was elected Chairman by a majority vote. On Monday 12th February Ian Locke was elected Vice Chairman by the Management Committee by a majority vote.

Jan 2007

Notice is hereby given on 17th January 2007 that an EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING of the Club will be held Monday 29th January 2007 at 7.30pm therefore giving 8 clear days notice as per the Club rules. The meeting will be held in the Lounge bar. 

Attendance at this meeting will only be granted to Full Members of Wall's Sports & Social Club (Gloucester) on confirmation of full membership. Associate, Family or Affiliated Club Members are NOT Full Members of the Club and are NOT eligible to attend. A new Club Chairman will hopefully be appointed at this meeting.

Dec 2006

This December saw another successful pantomime in the form of Aladdin.  The afternoon performance was completely sold out.

Nov 2006

As from the 1st January 2007 the club will be adopting a stricter policy on club admission.  Members will be required to carry their membership or employee card with them to gain entry to the Club.

Memberships will be checked and entry will be refused without valid membership

We are please to announce that Les Jones is our new Club Steward and Carolyn Jones is our new caterer.  See the Food page for lunchtime and buffet menus.

May 2006

Fitness 4 Females in Hucclecote is offering fully inclusive corporate membership to all members of the Sports & Social Club of only £3.00 per week.

To take advantage of this offer click here and print out the page.  You will need to take this along with you when you join. 

If you have any problems printing this out then phone Sherri or Gemma on 0800 9520529 or email them at fitness06promo@mail.com.  Copies of the letter are also available from the Sports & Social Club office.

Page last updated 07-Apr-2010